Oregon · Year-round resident

Anna's Hummingbirds in Oregon

When Anna's hummingbirds are present in Oregon, when they nest, which native Oregon plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4b–9b yard.

Hummingbirds (Trochilidae)Anna's HummingbirdCalypte anna
Status in Oregon
Year-round resident
Nesting window
December–May
Broods
2–3 per season
Hardiness zones
USDA 4b–9b

When to expect Anna's hummingbirds in Oregon

Anna's Hummingbirds live in Oregon all year. Mild, rainy winters in the Willamette Valley; cold, snowy winters east of the Cascades. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward winter-blooming manzanita and feeders.

Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades; high desert to the east.

Nesting in Oregon

Across Oregon, Anna's hummingbirds typically nest from December–May. Nest site: tiny cup of plant down and spider silk. Females lay 2 eggs, incubate for 14–19 days, and young leave the nest after 18–23 days.

Dry summers west of the Cascades; hot days in the high desert.

  • Anna's Hummingbirds don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as golden currant, red-flowering currant, oregon grape for nest sites.
  • Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after May.

Native Oregon plants that attract Anna's hummingbirds

Of the regional native plants we track for Oregon, these 8 provide food or cover Anna's hummingbirds use:

Wild bergamot
Monarda fistulosa · Perennial

Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.

Golden currant
Ribes aureum · Shrub

Early yellow flowers for hummingbirds, then summer fruit.

Rocky Mountain bee plant
Cleome serrulata · Perennial

Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.

Scarlet gilia
Ipomopsis aggregata · Perennial

Red trumpets for Broad-tailed and Rufous hummingbirds.

Red-flowering currant
Ribes sanguineum · Shrub

Early spring blooms fuel returning Rufous Hummingbirds.

Oregon grape
Mahonia aquifolium · Shrub

Evergreen with yellow spring flowers and blue summer fruit.

California fuchsia
Epilobium canum · Perennial

Late-season red flowers when other nectar is scarce.

Salmonberry
Rubus spectabilis · Shrub

Spring flowers for Rufous Hummingbirds, early fruit for thrushes.

Feeding Anna's hummingbirds through the Oregon year

Anna's stay year-round and nest in winter; in freezing weather, keep one feeder thawed.

  • Best foods: Sugar water: 1 part sugar to 4 parts water.
  • Avoid: Red dye, honey and artificial sweeteners.
  • In Oregon's winter: Mild, rainy winters in the Willamette Valley; cold, snowy winters east of the Cascades.

Full diet breakdown for Anna's hummingbirds · Best feeder for Anna's hummingbirds

Frequently asked

Are Anna's hummingbirds in Oregon year-round?

Yes. Anna's Hummingbirds are year-round residents in Oregon.

When do Anna's hummingbirds nest in Oregon?

Nesting in Oregon typically runs December–May, with 2–3 per season. Clutches are 2 eggs, incubated for 14–19 days.

What native plants attract Anna's hummingbirds in Oregon?

Wild bergamot, Golden currant, Rocky Mountain bee plant, Scarlet gilia, Red-flowering currant, Oregon grape, California fuchsia, Salmonberry are native plants in Oregon that provide food or cover for Anna's hummingbirds.

Anna's Hummingbirds in other regions

Other backyard birds in Oregon

Sources

  1. Anna's Hummingbird — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. Anna's Hummingbird life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. Anna's Hummingbird — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
  4. eBird region overview and bar charts — Oregon
  5. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
  6. Audubon Native Plants Database

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.