Costa's Hummingbird in January
Where Costa's hummingbirds are in January, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
January in the Costa's Hummingbird's year
January is the coldest month across most of the US and Canada. Natural food is at its scarcest — insects are dormant, many seed heads are stripped, and snow cover hides what remains. Birds concentrate where food is reliable, which makes this the single best month to watch a well-stocked feeding station.
For the Costa's Hummingbird specifically, January is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 5 states and provinces where Costa's hummingbirds occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where Costa's hummingbirds are in January
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In January, Costa's hummingbirds are absent in the South, year-round resident across the mid-latitudes, and absent in the northern states and Canada. That north–south split is the defining feature of this month: where you live changes which version of this bird you're looking at.
Nesting in January
Costa's hummingbirds are not nesting in January. The season runs February–May at mid-latitudes, starting roughly a month earlier in the South.
Outside the nesting season, Costa's hummingbirds put their energy into feeding and flocking rather than territory and young — which is exactly what makes them easier to watch and attract this month.
What to feed in January
- Chuparosa, ocotillo and feeders
Nests in late winter in the Sonoran Desert and leaves the hottest areas by midsummer.
Keep feeders consistently filled; birds add dependable stations to their daily foraging routes and suffer when one suddenly runs empty during a cold snap. High-energy foods matter most now.
Full Costa's Hummingbird diet guide → · Best feeder for Costa's hummingbirds →
Watching Costa's hummingbirds this month
Costa's hummingbirds are settled and predictable in January, which makes this a good month to learn the bird's routine — same feeders, same perches, same times of day.
The state guides below show exactly where in your region Costa's hummingbirds are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Costa's Hummingbird month by month
Costa's Hummingbird by state
Frequently asked
Where are Costa's hummingbirds in January?
In January, Costa's hummingbirds are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do Costa's hummingbirds nest in January?
No — Costa's hummingbirds typically nest February through May at mid-latitudes.
What do Costa's hummingbirds eat in January?
Chuparosa, ocotillo and feeders.
Sources
- Costa's Hummingbird — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Costa's Hummingbird life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Costa's Hummingbird — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
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.