Despite their reputation for sun-drenched tropics, Alaska boasts two fascinating species of hummingbirds – the Rufous Hummingbird and the Anna’s Hummingbird. These tiny yet might marvels defy the odds, thriving in a state known for its harsh winters and rugged landscapes. In this article, we’ll breakdown everything you need to know about the hummingbirds in Alaska, from diet to migration and everything in between.
Hummingbirds in Alaska Guide
My Experience with Hummingbirds in Alaska
When I first started working in Alaska I had no idea there were hummingbirds there. If I was thinking about any bird, it was the bald eagle. I wanted to capture the American symbol swooping down and grabbing a salmon out of a river. What photographer wouldn’t want to shot that?! And how could you blame me for losing sight of the tiny hummingbird in such a large iconic shadow.
It wasn’t until I got my second job in Alaska, one based in on the Prince of Wales island, that I started to appreciate our furious little friends. I remember walking through a pristine old growth forrest on a wooden boardwalk that lead to our cast members house. It was a gorgeous summer day in Alaska, the sun was out, and we enjoyed coffee on the deck as we discusses our upcoming shoot.
The man we filmed with had lived in the area his entire life, over 50 years of subsistence living on a small island in the Tongass National rainforest. His handmade forrest home is a work of art. Deer walk up to us and eat apples out of our hands. And a hummingbird feeder hangs on his porch attracting multiple tiny buzzers at a time. It wasn’t only the first time I saw a hummingbird in Alaska, it was a profound realization of our connection with nature, and an offering of a better way to co-exist.
Hummingbird Species in Alaska
Alaska isn’t teeming with hummingbirds, but it’s got a couple brave hearted birdies that are staking their claim. Only two species of hummingbirds are found in Alaska: the common Rufous Hummingbird, found throughout Southeast and Southcentral regions, and the Anna’s Hummingbird, a recent arrival slowly moving up the state.
Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus)
This fiery fellow is the most common hummingbird in Alaska, largely found in Southeast and Southcentral regions. Their moxie matches their plumage, known to be quite aggressive
- Size & Build: The Rufous Hummingbird is a relatively small bird, even for a hummingbird. It measures a mere 3 inches long with a slender, almost straight bill.
- Male Plumage: Reddish brown back, sometimes with green speckles, and a creamy white underbelly with a rufous vest. The top of their head is bright green, while their throat dazzles in iridescent scarlet to orange hues, appearing golden or yellow-green from certain angles. Their tail feathers are black tipped and pointed.
- Female Plumage: Bright green upper body and white stomach, with strong rufous washes on their sides. Their faces and gorgets can be touched with rufous hues, while the throat displays varying degrees of red-orange markings.
Anna’s Hummingbirds (Calypte anna)
A recent addition to the Alaskan hummingbird scene, Anna’s Hummingbirds are becoming more established in coastal areas, especially around southeast Alaska.
- Size & Build: Similar in size to the Rufous Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird is slightly larger at around 4 inches long. Its bill is also slightly longer and more curved.
- Male Plumage: The male Anna’s Hummingbird is a vision of iridescence. His head and throat boast a patch of reddish-pink feathers that shimmer with an almost metallic sheen. The rest of his body is a cool, metallic green with a hint of gray on his underparts.
- Female Plumage: The female Anna’s Hummingbird is overall drab compared to the male. She’s primarily a grayish-green with a touch of rufous on her throat. However, she shares the male’s white patch behind the eye, which helps with identification.
Habitat and Range of Hummingbirds in Alaska
Rufous Hummingbird
- Range: The Rufous Hummingbird holds the title of Alaska’s most widespread hummingbird species. You’ll find them buzzing along the coast, from Southeast Alaska all the way up to the Prince William Sound. Their range extends further north than any other hummingbird species, making them true Alaskan pioneers.
- Habitat: These adaptable birds thrive in a variety of habitats as long as there’s a food source to fuel their frenetic lifestyle. They frequent open forests, meadows, wetlands, and even alpine areas. They have a particular fondness for areas with flowering shrubs like salmonberry bushes, fireweed, and western columbines.
Anna’s Hummingbird
- Range: The Anna’s Hummingbird is a relative newcomer to Alaska. First spotted in the 1970s, their range has been steadily expanding northward, likely due to milder winters and the increasing availability of artificial feeders. They’re primarily found in the coastal areas of Southeast Alaska and have even been spotted as far north as Kodiak Island.
- Habitat: Similar to the Rufous Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbirds favor open areas with abundant flowers. They frequent backyards, gardens, second-growth forests, and meadows.
Where to See Hummingbirds in Alaska
Southeast Alaska is your best bet, specifically the Inside Passage communities where the temperate rainforest climate and abundant wildflowers create ideal hummingbird habitat. Here are the best spots:
Sitka
One of the best towns in Alaska for hummingbird watching. The mild maritime climate and lush vegetation support good Rufous Hummingbird populations from May through August. The raptor center and totem pole park areas are particularly good. Local backyards with feeders attract multiple birds at once during peak season.
Juneau
Alaska’s capital has reliable Rufous Hummingbird sightings throughout summer. The Mendenhall Valley, the Eaglecrest area, and any garden with feeders and native plants will attract them. Anna’s Hummingbirds have been recorded in Juneau in winter in recent years. The upside down gardens are a great place to look.
Ketchikan
The southernmost major Southeast Alaska city and one of the first to see Rufous arrivals in late April. The Tongass Avenue corridor and any backyard feeder in the rainforest neighborhoods is productive. Creek Street area gardens are worth checking.
Petersburg
A quieter option with excellent hummingbird habitat. The Norwegian fishing village sits in some of the most pristine Tongass rainforest in Southeast Alaska. Rufous Hummingbirds are common from May through August. We have an entire guide to Petersburg.
Pelican
A tiny fishing community accessible only by floatplane or ferry that is famous among birders for its hummingbird feeders. In peak season the feeders in Pelican attract dozens of Rufous Hummingbirds at once, one of the most concentrated hummingbird viewing experiences in the state.
Prince of Wales Island
The third largest island in the United States and one of the best places in Alaska to encounter Rufous Hummingbirds in a genuinely wild setting. The island’s old growth forest and abundant flowering plants support healthy populations. It’s the first place I ever spotted a hummingbird in Alaska. See our Prince of Wales Island guide for more on visiting.
The Great Hummingbird Migration
Growing up I used to think my grandparents yearly migration from Michigan to Florida was intense! But, after learning about some of these hummingbird’s travels, I’m not as impressed. Sorry gramps, I still love ya.
Rufous Hummingbird
The Rufous Hummingbird is a true migratory champion. They undertake one of the longest migrations of any bird species in the world. Every spring, they embark on an epic migration journey from their wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America to their breeding grounds in Alaska. Covering thousands of miles, these tiny avian travelers navigate through diverse landscapes, including deserts, mountains, and coastal regions. Arriving in Alaska around late April to early May, they seek out suitable nesting sites in forests, wetlands, and meadows, where they will raise their young amidst the rugged beauty of the Last Frontier.
Anna’s Hummingbird: A Flexible Flyer
The Anna’s Hummingbird presents a fascinating case when it comes to migration in Alaska. While most birds head south for the harsh Alaskan winter, Anna’s Hummingbirds tend to move attitudinally. As temperatures drop, they descend from higher elevations towards milder coastal regions, taking advantage of the microclimates these areas offer. This unique strategy allows them to remain in Alaska year-round, displaying remarkable adaptability in the face of the state’s challenging climate.
What do Hummingbirds in Alaska Eat?
The frenetic lifestyle of hummingbirds in Alaska demands a high-octane diet, and like their counterparts elsewhere, they primarily rely on two things for sustenance:
- Nectar: Their primary source of energy comes from the sweet nectar found in flowers. Alaska boasts a variety of wildflowers that bloom throughout the summer, examples include Indian paintbrush, fireweed, and columbines. Humming birds in Alaska time their nesting and breeding cycles with the peak flowering season to ensure a reliable food source for their developing chicks.
- Protein Boost: While nectar is their primary source of energy, hummingbirds also require protein for growth and development. The Rufous Hummingbird supplements its diet with tiny insects like gnats, midges, flies, and aphids. They might catch these insects in mid-air or pluck them from foliage.
- Supplementing with Sap: In some cases, hummingbirds in Alaska may also consume tree sap, particularly during periods when flowers are scarce. They’ve been known to follow around the sap sucking wood peckers and siphon off the sap wells they create. Why not, nobody’s catching these fast flying sap robbers.
Life Cycle of Hummingbirds in Alaska
The lives of hummingbirds in Alaska, though short, are packed with drama. From dazzling courtship displays to the frantic pace of raising young, let’s explore the fascinating life cycle of the Rufous and Anna’s Hummingbirds.
Courtship and Nest Building
Both hummingbird species are polygynous. To attract females, male Anna’s Hummingbirds perform spectacular aerial displays. They dive, swoop, and chatter, creating a dazzling show. Male Rufous Hummingbirds also perform aerial displays for affection, albeit less impressive ones.
The females take sole responsibility of building nests for their families. (How sexist, like get with it hummingbirds, it’s the 21st century!) They use soft plant fibers, spiderwebs, and lichens, she meticulously crafts a cup-shaped nest on a slender branch, often hidden amongst leaves for protection.
Egg Laying, Incubation, and Fledging
The female lays a clutch of 1-3 tiny, white eggs. These eggs are incredibly small, roughly the size of a pea! The female then incubates the eggs for 15-17 days, raising only one brood per season. From eggs to air, nestling humming birds in Alaska are ready to fly at around 5 weeks! The female encourages them to leave the nest, teaching them how to hover and forage for nectar. Once independent, the young hummingbirds disperse and lead solitary lives. They are sexually mature by their first year.
Lifespan and Mortality
Just like a beautiful aurora borealis display, hummingbirds in Alaska live a fast and flashy life. Many hummingbirds in Alaska only live a year. Predators like hawks, owls, and jays pose a constant threat to hummingbirds. Additionally, harsh weather conditions and a scarcity of food sources can contribute to mortality. However, some individuals, particularly those that survive their first year, live to 8 or 9 years.
How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Alaska Backyard
Hummingbirds, with their dazzling colors and frenetic energy, are a joy to behold. If you’re lucky enough to live in their region and want to attract the feathered jewels to your backyard, here are some tips tailored to each species:
Attracting Rufous Hummingbirds in Alaska
- Plant a Hummingbird Haven: These adaptable birds appreciate a variety of flowering plants throughout the summer. Focus on native Alaskan flowers like fireweed, western columbine, salmonberry, and Indian paintbrush. Plant these in sunny locations and consider staggering bloom times to ensure a continuous nectar supply.
- Embrace the Red, Orange, and Tubular: Flowers with red or orange hues and tubular shapes are particularly attractive to hummingbirds. Consider adding red-flowering currant, scarlet honeysuckle (not invasive varieties!), or coral bells to your garden.
- Think Beyond Flowers: While nectar is their primary food source, Rufous Hummingbirds also need protein. Provide a small dish filled with mealworms or crushed insects to supplement their diet.
- Location, Location, Location: Place your feeders and flowering plants in sheltered areas protected from strong winds. Hummingbirds expend a lot of energy hovering, so wind can make it difficult for them to feed.
Attracting Anna’s Hummingbirds in Alaska
Many of the tips for attracting Rufous Hummingbirds also apply to Anna’s Hummingbirds, the exception being attracting them and helping them survive the winter months.
- Warm Meals: Since Anna’s Hummingbirds might be present during colder months, feeders become even more crucial. Use feeders with a 1:4 ratio of sugar to water and clean them regularly to prevent mold growth. And if you’re lucky enough to have Anna’s Hummingbirds that stay year-round, consider providing heated feeders during the coldest months. Remember, if you have a resident hummingbird wintering in Alaska, it likely relies on the food you’re putting out, so don’t stop! You could starve the little guys.
General Tips for Both Species
Here are some great general tips for attracting hummingbirds in Alaska.
- Keep it Clean: Regularly clean your feeders with a mild soap solution and rinse them thoroughly to prevent the spread of diseases.
- Provide Mist or Dripping Water: Hummingbirds need water for preening and bathing. Consider setting up a mister near your feeders or placing a shallow dish with clean water.
- Be Patient: It may take some time for hummingbirds to discover your haven. Be patient and enjoy the process of creating a welcoming environment for these fascinating creatures.
Hummingbird Feeder Guide for Alaska
Setting up a feeder is the single most reliable way to attract hummingbirds in Alaska, and for Anna’s Hummingbirds that overwinter in coastal areas, your feeder may be genuinely critical to their survival.
The Nectar Recipe
The ratio is simple and should never vary: 1 part white granulated sugar to 4 parts water. Boil the water, dissolve the sugar completely, let it cool to room temperature before filling your feeder. Never use honey, brown sugar, artificial sweeteners, or red food dye, all of these are harmful to hummingbirds. Plain white sugar and water only.
When to Put Out Your Feeder
- Southeast Alaska: Put feeders out by late April. Rufous males arrive first and will find your feeder within days of arriving
- Southcentral Alaska: Put feeders out by early May
- Take feeders in: Mid-September for most of Southeast Alaska. Unless you have Anna’s Hummingbirds visiting, in which case leave it out and switch to a heated feeder
Feeder Maintenance
Change the nectar every 2-3 days in warm weather, fermented nectar can harm hummingbirds. Clean feeders with hot water and a bottle brush weekly. Never use soap, residue is harmful. In cold weather nectar freezes quickly, a heated feeder keeps it liquid for Anna’s Hummingbirds overwintering in coastal areas.
What to Buy
A good hummingbird feeder doesn’t need to be expensive, the birds care about the nectar not the feeder design. A few options worth considering:
- Standard feeder: Any glass or BPA-free plastic feeder with red accents works well. Avoid feeders with yellow plastic parts, yellow attracts bees.
- Heated feeder: Essential if you have Anna’s Hummingbirds overwintering.
- Hummingbird feeder with Camera: As a professional cameraman I’d be remise if I didn’t put this out there. I think these are so cool, it’s a fun way to get up close to the little guys.
- Binoculars: Hummingbirds move fast and getting a close look requires good glass. A compact 8×25 pair is ideal.
- Field guide: The Sibley Guide to Birds is the gold standard for North American bird identification including both Alaska hummingbird species
Humming Birds in Alaska: Fast Facts
Here are some easy to digest fun facts about the Hummingbirds in Alaska.
- Hummingbirds in Alaska are the smallest birds in the state, about the weight of a nickel!
- Rufous hummingbirds migrate 3,000 miles from Mexico to Alaska!
- Hummingbirds wings beat 80 times per second for hovering!
- The Long bills of hummingbirds in Alaska reach deep into flowers for nectar.
- Hummingbirds in Alaska eat tiny insects for protein.
- Hummingbirds in Alaska hearts beat up to 1,260 per minute! (10x human rate)
- Rufous hummingbirds in Alaska have glowing orange throats.
- Anna’s hummingbirds in Alaska are becoming more common.
- Some hummingbirds in Alaska reuse nests year after year.
- Male hummingbirds in Alaska dive and squeak during courtship displays.
- Hummingbirds in Alaska enter torpor to save energy at night.
- There are only two species of Hummingbirds in Alaska.
- Anna’s Hummingbirds in Alaska supplement their diet with tree sap.
- The first Hummingbirds in Alaska arrive in April.
- Hummingbirds in Alaska feed while hovering.
- Anna’s Hummingbirds in Alaska normally have a body temperature of around 107 degrees
Hummingbirds in Alaska: Conclusion
The hummingbirds of Alaska, though few in number, add a touch of magic to the Last Frontier. The fiery Rufous Hummingbird, a champion migrator, and the adaptable Anna’s Hummingbird, a recent arrival, both play vital roles. They pollinate Alaska’s vibrant wildflowers and bring a touch of frenetic energy to the Alaskan summer.
Hummingbirds in Alaska FAQs
When do hummingbirds arrive in Alaska?
The Rufous Hummingbird typically arrives in Southeast Alaska in late April to early May, with males arriving one to two weeks before females. They depart for their winter grounds in Mexico and Central America by late August or early September. Anna’s Hummingbirds may remain in mild coastal areas year-round in some cases.
Where can I see hummingbirds in Alaska?
Southeast Alaska is the best region, particularly the Inside Passage communities of Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Petersburg, and Wrangell. The Tongass National Forest provides ideal habitat.
Do hummingbirds survive Alaska winters?
The Rufous Hummingbird does not, it migrates south to Mexico and Central America before winter arrives. Anna’s Hummingbirds are more cold-tolerant and some individuals overwinter in mild coastal areas of Southeast Alaska, surviving on feeders and whatever winter-blooming plants are available.
What do Alaska hummingbirds eat?
Nectar is their primary fuel. Alaska’s summer wildflowers including fireweed, Indian paintbrush, columbine, and salmonberry provide abundant nectar during breeding season. They supplement their diet with tiny insects: gnats, midges, flies, and aphids caught in midair or plucked from foliage.
How fast do hummingbird wings beat?
In normal flight Rufous Hummingbird wings beat approximately 52-62 times per second. During courtship dive displays the rate can reach up to 80 beats per second.
What plants attract hummingbirds in Alaska?
Native Alaskan plants are the most reliable. Fireweed is the single best hummingbird plant in Alaska, it blooms prolifically across the state in summer and is a primary nectar source for Rufous Hummingbirds. Indian paintbrush, western columbine, salmonberry, and red-flowering currant are also excellent choices.
Is the Rufous Hummingbird endangered?
The Rufous Hummingbird is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, population declines of approximately 60% have been documented since 1970. Habitat loss on wintering grounds in Mexico, pesticide use reducing insect availability, and climate change affecting flower timing are the primary concerns.
More Alaska Wildlife Guides
- Prince of Wales Island — prime Rufous Hummingbird territory
- Porcupines in Alaska — another underrated Alaska wildlife encounter
- Snakes in Alaska — spoiler: there aren’t any
- Black Bear vs Grizzly Bear — the wildlife most people come to Alaska to see
- Edible Mushrooms in Alaska — what else is hiding in the Tongass
- Alaska Wildflowers — the plants the hummingbirds depend on
- Poisonous Plants & Berries in Alaska — what to avoid in the same forests
- Best Places to Live in Alaska — Southeast Alaska for hummingbird lovers
- Alaska Grizzly Bear Hunting: The Truth Behind a Cruel Practice