Allen's Hummingbird

A near-twin of the Rufous with one of the smallest breeding ranges of any US bird: a strip of coastal fog belt from southern Oregon to Los Angeles. Migratory birds return from Mexico in the depths of winter — Allen's arriving in January make it one of the first 'spring' migrants in North America.

Range

Breeds along the immediate California coast (barely into Oregon). A non-migratory subspecies is resident in the Los Angeles basin and Channel Islands and has been expanding.

Migration timing

Migrants arrive on the central coast in January–February, among the earliest arrivals anywhere, and head south again by July. LA-area residents are present all year.

How to identify one

• Male: coppery-orange flanks and tail with a solid green back (male Rufous has an orange back)
• Female: effectively identical to female Rufous in the field
• Displays with a distinctive pendulum swing before the climbing dive

At the feeder

In coastal California, have feeders clean and full by New Year's Day — Allen's beat almost everything else back. In greater Los Angeles they'll visit feeders every month alongside Anna's.

Where to find the Allen's Hummingbird

FeederDates › Hummingbirds › Species › Allen's Hummingbird