California · Pacific
When to put out hummingbird feeders in California
Hummingbirds are part of California in every season — here's how to time and manage feeders through the year.
Put feeders out by
Year-round — Anna's visit feeders in every month
First arrivals
Anna's are present all year; Allen's return to the coast in January, Rufous pass through February–April
Peak season
year-round, busiest late winter through summer
Take down after
Leave up year-round
Keep at least one feeder available in every month.
The California season
California never really has an off-season: Anna's Hummingbirds court in December and nest in January, earlier than almost any other North American bird. Allen's Hummingbirds return to the fog-belt coast in January, and the Channel Islands/LA-basin population stays all year. Desert washes host Costa's, the Sierra hosts Calliope — six species without leaving the state.
The two-week head start matters more than it looks: the first migrants arrive before most nectar flowers open, and a reliable feeder can anchor a male's breeding territory in your yard for the whole summer.
Hummingbird species in California
| Species | Status in California |
|---|---|
| Anna's Hummingbird | Year-round resident |
| Allen's Hummingbird | Spring–summer breeder |
| Costa's Hummingbird | Year-round resident |
| Black-chinned Hummingbird | Spring–summer breeder |
| Rufous Hummingbird | Passes through in migration |
| Calliope Hummingbird | Spring–summer breeder |
Filling the feeder? The recipe is 4 parts water to 1 part plain white sugar — scale it to your feeder in one click.
Nectar calculatorFrequently asked questions
When should I put out hummingbird feeders in California?
In California there is no need to wait — hummingbirds are present all or nearly all year, so a feeder is useful in any month. Year-round — Anna's visit feeders in every month.
When should I take down hummingbird feeders in California?
Leave up year-round. And don't worry about tempting birds to stay too long: migration is triggered by day length, not food. A full feeder will never stop a hummingbird from leaving — it simply fuels late stragglers, which need the help most.
Do hummingbirds stay in California year-round?
Largely, yes. California never really has an off-season: Anna's Hummingbirds court in December and nest in January, earlier than almost any other North American bird.
What should I put in the feeder?
Plain white sugar and water at a 4:1 ratio — 1 cup of sugar per 4 cups of water. Never use honey, brown sugar, or red dye. Our nectar calculator scales the recipe to any feeder size.
Nearby states
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