In some parts of Calif. I believe some of the Anna's stay in the general vicinity all year. They are more common along the coast. Not sure where you are located.

Penny

Hi wilted flower,
I'm just a few miles north of you in So Sacramento. "Our" hummingbird is still here as of this late date. I'm a complete newbie to hummingbirds. We've had our feeder since last spring and a few months ago our first little one came. And s/he seems to be sticking around.

If you find out any info about if they stay or migrate around here, please let me know. This one is very territorial and won't let any other hummingbird at 'her/his' feeder [even chases a sole bee around LOL]. And within the past couple weeks I have seen a second hummingbird, so I know it isn't just him.

Cherie

First I looked up your location in Elk Grove, CA, and then I started hunting around on the internet to find the answer to your question. I always enjoy reading about species other than the Ruby-throated, which is the only one we typically find here in Pennsylvania.

Here's what I found out, and a link you can look at:

Anna's Hummingbird--This should be a year round resident for you, and is probably what Cherie is seeing right now in her So Sacramento garden. I am so jealous of you guys. Our Ruby-throats are only here for about 5 months max. We've still got about 4 more months to go before they return.

Black-chinned Hummingbird--It looks like this one would breed in your area, but leaves in the winter for warmer climes. As they return north in the spring, they reportedly get to southern California in early March, and reach Oregon by early May. So, I guess yours would probably start showing up some time in April. They depart British Columbia and Idaho in late August, but I imagine they would stick around a little longer for you--maybe September. So, I'm guessing you've got breeding Black-chins from ~early April--->some time in September. That timing is very similar to us with Ruby-throats, and Black-chinned are very closely related to Ruby-throats.

Rufous Hummingbird--Does not breed or winter in your area, but I'm guessing it probably passes through during migration. On their northward spring journey, they tend to stay along the coast, so I doubt you would see them. They reach British Columbia by early April, so I suppose if you saw any, it might be in March or April. Their southward migration is in the late summer, when they are more likely to be found inland. Reports have them passing through Colorado in late July and August, so I suppose that might be when you would be seeing them. So, it's either March or April on their way north (unlikely), or late July and August on their way south (much more likely).

It looks like Calliope Hummingbirds breed just a bit east of you in the higher mountains. I don't know if they might stray into Elk Grove or not. If so, they'd be present from about April into September.

Allen's Hummingbirds are somewhat more coastal in distribution, so I don't think you'd be seeing anything other than occasional strays in your area. Their spring migration north would probably be some time in February or March, and they would depart in July or August.

It looks like Costa's hummingbirds are not normally found in your area at any time of year. They are more southern.

Here is a link that might be useful: Timing of migration

Hi, We're next door, just north of Calvine, but we're buying a new home in Galt. We've had one hummer but haven't seen it in a while.

Have you done plantings to attract them? I'm trying to figure out what to plant in the new yard.

Oh, yeah. I'm new to this forumn. How new? What time is it now? (-:

Anna's Hummers start to breed in late december in S Cal,I still have quite a few Allens, and Anna's on my feeders,I live in the San Fernando Valley.

High there neighbor. I'm in Lodi. There is so much you can plant. Here are my recommendations: Abutilon, salvia guaranitica, leonotus leonorus, diplacus, arbutus unedo, manzanita, ceanothus, and on and on. Check out the website for Las Pilitas Nursery, as they give you wonderful tips on planting some natives to bring critters into your garden. I've taken out all the grass in my front yard and I still have hummers now, in my arbutus tree. They'll stay all year if you provide for them.