Hummingbirds

Native Hummingbirds

There are two species of Hummingbirds native to B.C. Anna's hummingbirds (Calypte anna) may stay here all year, while the smaller Rufous hummingbirds (Selasphorus rufus) migrate south during winter and join us at the time of the first Salmonberrys blooming in Spring. Though not a natural occurence, human interaction through feeders have caused some Anna's to stay the winter in BC.

Hummingbirds prefer native species to nest and makes homes in, particularily Sambucus, Arctostaphylos. They are found in open forest, thicket and meadows; preferring habitat that they can get a good vantagepoint to watch for predators. They prefer residential areas because of the abundance of flowers and open areas. Anna's nest in deciduous trees and shrubs in residential areas. Rufous hummingbirds choose coniferous trees, deciduous trees and vine tangles. Diet is often nectar, tree sap, and a large portion of insects and spiders. Anna's Hummingbirds prefer a diet more balanced with insects than other species, so it's important to have native shrubs to support them. Willow species in particular are great for supporting your hummingbirds. Avoiding pesticides and other harmful chemicals will help keep your fliers safe. Studies show your yard needs between 400 and 1000 flowers to support one bird, so get planting! They drink from each flower 2-3 times per day and make beween 1000 to 2000 visits per flower every day! Hummingbirds see red best, but nectar content is more important.

Aquilegia formosa

Spring flowers

Camas spp.- Camassia quamash, C. leitchtlinii

Columbine - Aquilegia formosa

Western Bleeding heart- Dicentra formosa

Summer flowers

Oregon Iris, Iris tenax

Bee Balm - Monarda fistulosa

Coral bells - Heuchera micrantha

Farewell-to-spring - Clarkia amoena

Oregon Iris - Iris tenax

Menzie's Delphinium - Delphinium menziesii

Nodding Onion - Allium cerrnuum

Lupin - Lupinus polyphyllus

Paintbrush - Catillejia hispidula, C. miniata.

Penstemon - Penstemon spp.

Spreading phlox - Phlox diffusa.

Honeysuckle - Lonicera ciliosa

Yellow Monkeyflower, Mimulus guttatus

Fall flowers

Fireweed - Epilobium angustifolium

Goatsbeard - Aruncus diocusa

Goldenrod - Solidago lepida

Henderson's checkermallow - Sidelcea hendersonii

Monkeyflower - Mimulus guttatus, M. lewisii

 

Try to plant so that you always have at least one native in bloom at any given time throughout the growing season. This will ensure there is always food available for your hummingbirds.

Pacific Willow, Salix lucida ssp. lassiandra

Trees

Madrone - Arbutus menziesii

Pacific Dogwood - Cornus Nuttallii

Black Hawthorne - Crataegus douglasii

Pacific crabapple- Malus fusca

Bitter Cherry Prunus emarginata

Chokecherry - Prusus viginiana

Willows - Salix spp.

Also try to have at least a couple of shrubs to attract insects for your birds to feast on. Or in the case of spiders, to use the silk for nest construction.

Redflowering Currant, Ribes sanguineum

Spring Flowering shrubs

Indian Plum - Oemleria cerasiformis

Oregon grape - Mahonia aquilifolium

Red Flowering Currant - Ribes sanguineum

Salmonberry - Rubus spectabilis

Evergreen Huckleberry - Vacinnium ovatum

Blue Elderberry - Sambucus cerulea

Summer Flowering shrubs

Evergreen Huckleberry - Vacinnium ovatum

Manzanita - Arctostaphylos columbiana

Oceanspray - Holodiscus discolor

Pacific Rhododendron - Rhododendron macrophyllum

Red Huckleberry - Vaccinium parvifolium

Red-twig dogwood - Cornus stolonifera

Serviceberry - Amelanchior alnifolia

Sitka Mountain ash - Sorbus sitchensis

Snowberry - Symphoricarpos albus

Spirea - Spirea douglasii

Wild Azalea - Rhododendron occidentale