Hummingbirds you can see in California
California has more than a handful of hummingbird species on its checklist, but only a few are regularly seen in backyards. Several are common, some are seasonal, and a few are rare visitors. Counts of species vary by source because rare vagrants are included in some lists and not others, so treat any single number with caution.
If you are looking at a tiny bird hovering near a flower or feeder, the most likely candidates are Anna’s, Allen’s, Rufous, Costa’s, and Black-chinned. Calliope is also worth watching for, especially during migration.
What do hummingbirds look like?
Hummingbirds are tiny birds with long, slender bills, fast wings, and, in males, iridescent throat patches called gorgets. The color of the gorget can look dark or black in poor light and flash bright when the angle is right, so view the bird from several angles if you can. Females and young birds are usually duller, with green backs, pale underparts, and little or no colored throat patch, so they are harder to identify.
Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s is the species most Californians see. It is common in many coastal and urban areas and is often present year-round. Males show a bright rose-red to magenta crown and throat. Females are green above and gray below, with a small red or pink spot on the throat. Males perform a dramatic dive display and make a sharp sound at the bottom of the dive. They are frequent feeder visitors.
Allen’s Hummingbird
Allen’s Hummingbird is mostly a coastal species. Males have a coppery-orange throat, a green back, and rusty-orange sides, belly, and tail. It nests along the coast, and some migrants pass through in spring and summer. Female Allen’s look very similar to female Rufous Hummingbirds, and the two are often hard to tell apart in the field.
Rufous Hummingbird
The Rufous Hummingbird is a long-distance migrant, famous for its feisty territorial behavior. Adult males are bright orange-copper over much of the body, often including the back, with an orange-red throat. It is often seen in California during migration, mainly in spring and in late summer, and it may defend feeders aggressively.
Costa’s Hummingbird
Costa’s is a bird of desert scrub and dry foothills, though it also visits gardens. The male has a violet-purple crown and throat, with the gorget feathers flaring out at the sides. Females and young are more subdued, with a pale throat that may show a few violet spots.
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Black-chinned Hummingbirds are present mainly during the breeding season and are more common in the interior and in some northern and inland areas. The male has a black chin with a violet band below it, though the violet can be hard to see. They tend to pump and wag their tails while hovering, which can help identification.
Calliope Hummingbird
Calliope is the smallest breeding bird in North America. Males have rose-magenta streaks on a white throat, which look like thin rays. It is generally encountered in mountain meadows and during migration, and it is less common in lowland yards.
Rarer or limited-range species
California records also include Broad-tailed, Broad-billed, Violet-crowned, and other species that occur rarely or in small numbers. The Lucifer Hummingbird, sometimes called “Lucifer’s bird” by searchers, is a species of the southwestern borderlands with a long, curved bill and a purple throat in males. It is not a regular California bird. If you think you have a rare hummingbird, take clear photos from multiple angles and share them with a local bird group.
Quick identification tips
- Location and season: Costa’s in the desert, Anna’s near coastal gardens, Rufous during migration.
- Throat color: Magenta-pink for Anna’s, orange for Allen’s and Rufous, purple for Costa’s.
- Back color: A green back in a male orange-throated bird suggests Allen’s, while an orange back suggests Rufous.
- Female birds: Treat tricky females and juveniles with caution. Some can only be identified with careful study or in the hand.
What is a group of hummingbirds called?
Various playful names are used, including a “charm” of hummingbirds. These are informal terms and you will see several in different sources.
Attracting hummingbirds in California
California’s mild climate means some hummingbirds may be present for much of the year. Native nectar plants, small bits of water, and a clean feeder can all help. See our guides to hummingbird feeder types, the safest hummingbird feeder, and when to hang and take down feeders for more.
Common California hummingbird questions
What is the biggest predator of hummingbirds?
Hummingbirds can be taken by cats, some birds of prey and larger birds, and by large insects and spiders. There is no single predator that is clearly the biggest risk everywhere.
Why do hummingbirds chase each other?
Many species, especially Rufous and Anna’s, defend feeders and flower patches. Setting up more than one feeder, out of sight of each other, can help reduce conflict.
What if I see something unusual?
Other small, long-billed visitors may be mistaken for hummingbirds from a distance. Our guide to very small birds with long beaks can help you sort them out, and other birds at hummingbird feeders covers non-hummingbird visitors.