Anna's Hummingbird

Range & Migration

Common resident of the U.S. Pacific coast, west of the Sierra Mountains, frequently in coastal lowlands. Also found in desert areas in winter.

Anna’s Hummingbird is one of the most common hummingbirds in its range. The species breeds from Vancouver, Canada south to northern Baja California and east through southern Arizona.

This hardy bird is a permanent resident along the Pacific Coast, staying through the winter in many areas where no other hummingbirds are present.

Anna's hummingbirds are found along the western coast of North America, from southern Canada to northern Baja California, and inland to southern and central Arizona, extreme southern Nevada and southeastern Utah, and western Texas. They tend to be permanent residents within their range, and are very territorial. However, birds have been spotted far outside their range in such places as southern Alaska, Saskatchewan, New York, Florida, Louisiana and Newfoundland.

Anna's hummingbirds have the northernmost year-round range of any hummingbird. During cold temperatures, Anna's hummingbirds gradually gain weight during the day as they convert sugar to fat. In addition, hummingbirds with inadequate stores of body fat or insufficient plumage are able to survive periods of sub-freezing weather by lowering their metabolic rate and entering a state of torpor.

The Anna’s Hummingbird was named after Anna Massena, Duchess of Rivoli, a European noblewoman in Italy during the 19th century.

Characteristics and Identification

Only hummingbird with red on crown. Body is mostly green and gray, without any rufous or orange marks. Male's head and throat are a deep rose-red, with the color extending on to the sides of the neck. Female's throat usually shows red flecks. Underparts are grayish with varying amounts of green. They are characterized by a straight, shortish bill and a broad tail. When perched, wingtips meet the tip of their short tail.