Anna's Hummingbirds in Washington
When Anna's hummingbirds are present in Washington, when they nest, which native Washington plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4a–9a yard.
- Status in Washington
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- December–May
- Broods
- 2–3 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4a–9a
When to expect Anna's hummingbirds in Washington
Anna's Hummingbirds live in Washington all year. Mild, wet winters on the Puget Sound; cold winters in the east. 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, semi-arid shrub-steppe to the east.
Nesting in Washington
Across Washington, 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, sunny summers west of the Cascades; hot in the Columbia Basin.
- 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 Washington plants that attract Anna's hummingbirds
Of the regional native plants we track for Washington, these 8 provide food or cover Anna's hummingbirds use:
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Early yellow flowers for hummingbirds, then summer fruit.
Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.
Red trumpets for Broad-tailed and Rufous hummingbirds.
Early spring blooms fuel returning Rufous Hummingbirds.
Evergreen with yellow spring flowers and blue summer fruit.
Spring flowers for Rufous Hummingbirds, early fruit for thrushes.
Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower.
Feeding Anna's hummingbirds through the Washington 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 Washington's winter: Mild, wet winters on the Puget Sound; cold winters in the east.
Full diet breakdown for Anna's hummingbirds · Best feeder for Anna's hummingbirds
Frequently asked
Are Anna's hummingbirds in Washington year-round?
Yes. Anna's Hummingbirds are year-round residents in Washington.
When do Anna's hummingbirds nest in Washington?
Nesting in Washington 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 Washington?
Wild bergamot, Golden currant, Rocky Mountain bee plant, Scarlet gilia, Red-flowering currant, Oregon grape, Salmonberry, Fireweed are native plants in Washington that provide food or cover for Anna's hummingbirds.
Anna's Hummingbirds in other regions
Other backyard birds in Washington
Sources
- Anna's Hummingbird — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Anna's Hummingbird life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Anna's Hummingbird — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Washington
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- 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.