What Kind of Hummingbirds Live in Washington State?

Washington's natural habitats host numerous bird species, including several varieties of hummingbird. Eight different species have been spotted in the state. Four of those, the ruby-throated, Costa's, Allen's and the broad-tailed hummingbirds, have only been seen once or twice in Washington. The other four species are frequently seen in Washington, and even live in the state for parts of the year.

  1. Black-Chinned Hummingbird

    • The black-chinned hummingbird is found in the eastern half of the state during the summer breeding season. It grows to 3 1/2 inches in length with an over 4-inch wingspan. They have green plumage with white underparts. Males have black markings on the chin with a purple stripe below that. It is a highly adaptable species that can be found in gardens, developed rural areas, and pristine wilderness.

    Anna's Hummingbird

    • Anna's hummingbird is most common in western Washington and can be found in the state year-round. It is a medium-sized hummingbird that grows to nearly 4 inches in length with an almost 5-inch wingspan. It has a bronzy green coloring on its back with a grayish underside. Males have a distinctive bright red head and throat, while females are green in those areas. At one time the species only bred in California, but the planting of exotic plants in other areas to the north extended the bird's home range.

    Calliope Hummingbird

    • The calliope hummingbird is North America's smallest bird species. It's only 3 1/2 inches long, and its wingspan is just 4 inches. The state is part of the bird's summer range, which also includes Oregon, California and several other northwestern states. It winters in Mexico and parts of Central America. The birds have a green coloring on the back with a buff-gray underside. Males have a pink streaked throat coloration that females lack.

    Rufous Hummingbird

    • The rufous is another summer visitor to Washington. It is a small, slender species that grows to 3 1/2 inches in length with a wingspan of almost 4 1/2 inches. Males are a reddish-brown color with the exception of a white chest and green wings. Females have a green back with a reddish-brown underside. The migration of this bird is the longest comparative to size of any bird. It travels from northern Mexico to Alaska, a journey of around 3,900 miles, which equates to around 78 1/2 million body lengths.