hummingbirds in Alaska, humming birds in Alaska, hummingbirds Alaska, are there hummingbirds in Alaska, rufous hummingbird, Anna's hummingbirds, — Hummingbirds in Alaska: Little Bird in Big Country // Shutterstock

Article Overview: Hummingbirds in Alaska

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.

Why Trust Us

AlaskaExplored is THE DESTINATION for all things Alaska. Whether you’re planning your own Alaska adventure, or you’re just curious about the hummingbirds that inhabit the state, we’ve got you covered. Here at AlaskaExplored.com you’ll find expert tips, detailed guides, stunning photographs, and so much more.

Together AlaskaExplored has more than twenty years of experience traveling, working, and exploring the beautifully rugged, 49th state. Working in television has taken us all around the world, and no place more than Alaska. During our time in Alaska we’ve documented countless stories from every corner and crevasse of the state.

We’ve helped showcase the grandeur of this wild place for National Geographic, Discovery, Disney, Animal Planet, and more. Now we want to share our knowledge and real life experiences with you!

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 the southeastern region of the state, 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 forest 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-exsist.

Hummingbirds in Alaska

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Why Trust Us
My Experience with Hummingbirds in Alaska
Hummingbirds in Alaska

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 quit 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 theres 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.

Hummingbirds in Alaska: Little Bird in Big Country // Shutterstock

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 Ann’s Hummingbirds perform spectacular aerial displays. They dive, swoop, and chatter, creating a dazzling show. Male Rufous Hummingbirds also perform arial 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 2024!) 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.