There's a genuinely surprising backstory behind Washington's most familiar backyard hummingbird. Anna's Hummingbird was historically limited to Baja California and coastal California — it wasn't originally a Washington bird at all. As backyard feeders and winter-blooming ornamental plants spread through the Pacific Northwest, Anna's expanded its year-round range all the way into British Columbia, and it's now the hummingbird most Western Washington homeowners see at their feeder in every season, including the dead of winter.

Whether you're gardening in Seattle, out in the Columbia Basin near Spokane, or up in the Cascade foothills, this guide will walk you through everything you need to turn your space into a Washington hummingbird destination: who's around and when, how to size your setup to any space, feeder and nectar care, pest-safe cleaning, and the native plants and wildflower seed varieties that thrive in Washington's climate.

The short version, if you're in a hurry:

To attract hummingbirds in Washington, keep a leak-proof feeder up year-round in western Washington (Anna's is active there all winter), and put one up by early March in eastern Washington for arriving Rufous, Calliope, and Black-chinned Hummingbirds. Fill it with fresh, dye-free nectar, keep it clean and refilled every 1–6 days depending on heat, skip the insecticide so hummingbirds can still hunt insects for protein, and plant native, nectar-rich flowers like red-flowering currant, orange honeysuckle, and penstemon so your yard offers real food alongside the feeder.

• Best feeder type: leak-proof design with a comfort perch, like the AspenPerch® Hummingbird Feeder
• Best nectar: plain 4:1 water-to-sugar ratio, no red dye — or Pop's Nectar with added electrolytes and calcium
• Feeder timing: year-round in western Washington for resident Anna's; by early March in eastern Washington for arriving migrants
• Nectar change frequency: every 1–2 days above 90°F, every 5–6 days below 70°F — and watch for freezing overnight in winter and at higher elevations
• Pest control: no insecticide — use vinegar-water spray and HummGuard™ nectar tips instead
• Top native plants: red-flowering currant, orange honeysuckle, penstemon, salmonberry, red columbine (varies by region — see below)
• Best wildflower planting window: October through November west of the Cascades; early spring in colder eastern Washington and higher elevations

Which Hummingbirds You'll See in Washington

Washington is a genuine multi-species hummingbird state, split fairly cleanly between the wet western half and the dry, high-desert-like eastern half. Here are the four you're most likely to see:

Anna's Hummingbird

The only hummingbird present in Washington year-round, and increasingly the default "backyard hummingbird" of western Washington. Males show off a striking iridescent rose-pink crown and throat. Anna's often begins nesting as early as late winter, when very little else is blooming.

Rufous Hummingbird

A widespread migrant and breeder found throughout much of the state, known for its incredible long-distance migration from Mexico all the way to Alaska. Males are a fiery orange-red and notoriously aggressive, often chasing Anna's Hummingbirds away from a shared feeder.

Calliope Hummingbird

The smallest breeding bird in North America, found mainly east of the Cascades and in mountain meadows. Males have a striking magenta-streaked throat.

Black-chinned Hummingbird

The least common of Washington's regular breeders, found mainly in steppe and Ponderosa pine habitat east of the Cascades, especially around Spokane and Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge. Males have a velvety black throat with a thin band of violet-purple visible only in direct light.

Rarer visitors, including Broad-tailed, Costa's, and Allen's Hummingbirds, have also been documented in Washington, though sightings are exceptional rather than expected.

When Do Hummingbirds Arrive and Leave Washington?

Anna's aside, Washington's migratory species follow a fairly predictable seasonal pattern, though timing differs somewhat between the two sides of the Cascades:

Pop's tip: Black-chinned males famously leave their breeding grounds surprisingly early — often by late June — while females and juveniles stick around into August. If your eastern Washington feeder suddenly seems quieter in early summer, that's likely why; it doesn't mean the season is over. In western Washington, keep at least one feeder up all winter for resident Anna's, especially during cold snaps when natural nectar sources are scarce.

Attracting Hummingbirds No Matter Your Space

You don't need acres of land to invite wonder into your yard. Hummingbirds are famously adaptable — all they're really looking for is a dependable food source, a safe place to perch, and a little color.

• Small patio or balcony: One feeder hung from a bracket or shepherd's hook, paired with a container of red or orange tubular blooms like penstemon, is plenty to get noticed. Hummingbirds are solitary feeders by nature, so a single feeder works great in tight spaces.
• Average backyard: Add a mix of feeders and native blooms along a fence line or garden bed, and give your visitors a swing or two nearby to rest and survey their territory between sips.
• Large yard with trees: Take advantage of the shade. Hummingbirds prefer feeders and plantings tucked out of harsh, direct afternoon sun, with a nearby branch to perch on and watch for rivals. Spread multiple feeders far apart, since hummingbirds are territorial and will happily chase each other off a single feeder — especially once feisty Rufous Hummingbirds arrive.

Feeding: Keep It Full, Fresh, and Leak-Free

A feeder is only as good as what's in it — and how well it's kept. Pop's AspenPerch® Hummingbird Feeder is leak-proof by design and paired with our patented Polyperch® comfort perch, so your hummingbirds can rest and feed at the same time instead of hovering the whole meal.

A few feeding fundamentals:

• Only fill what they'll drink in a few days. An 8 oz feeder rarely needs to be topped all the way off — overfilling just means more nectar sitting around long enough to spoil.
• Skip the red dye. Your feeder's color does the attracting; dyed nectar offers no benefit and isn't necessary.
• Use a real nectar recipe, or save yourself the math with Pop's Nectar, formulated with added electrolytes and calcium to support hummingbirds through the demands of nesting season and migration — no dyes, no preservatives.

How Often to Change Nectar in Washington

Western Washington's mild, wet climate and eastern Washington's hot, dry summers call for the same basic rule, just applied to very different weather:

If the nectar ever looks cloudy before that window is up, change it early — cloudiness means it's already started to ferment. In winter, especially in western Washington where Anna's stays active, check nectar after freezing nights and swap in a fresh, unfrozen batch as needed.

Keeping Feeders Clean (and Pests Away) Without Insecticide

Hummingbirds don't live on nectar alone — small insects make up a big part of their protein diet, especially for feeding chicks. That means insect spray is off the table around your feeding station; it removes a food source hummingbirds depend on and can be harmful to them directly.

Instead:

• Clean your feeder every time you change the nectar, using warm water and a bottle brush — no soap residue, no bleach. A little vinegar and water solution works great for breaking down sticky buildup or the beginnings of mold.
• Deter ants and bees with a vinegar-water spray around (not on) the feeder ports, or wipe down the hanging hook where ants tend to march down.
• Use HummGuard™ nectar tips if bees and wasps keep crashing the party. They slide right onto the AspenPerch's feeding ports — the flexible membrane opens easily for a hummingbird's beak but closes tight against anything bigger, keeping your nectar exclusively for the birds it's meant for.

Give Them a Place to Rest

Hummingbirds spend a surprising amount of their day perched, not flying — watching their territory, digesting, and simply resting between feedings. A Pop's Original Hummingbird Swing hung near your feeder gives them exactly that spot, and it turns your feeding station into a front-row seat for watching them up close. Hang it within a foot or two of your feeder, and don't be surprised if a hummingbird claims it as their own personal lookout post.

Plant a Washington Native Hummingbird Garden

Feeders are a wonderful supplement, but nothing beats real, native nectar. Native plants evolved right alongside Washington's hummingbirds, so they bloom on the right schedule and produce exactly the nectar these birds are looking for.

Best native nectar plants by Washington region:

• Western Washington & Puget Sound: Red-flowering currant (blooms as early as February, timed to both Anna's late-winter nesting and arriving Rufous Hummingbirds), salmonberry, orange honeysuckle, red columbine
• Cascade Foothills & Mountains: Red columbine, penstemon, salmonberry
• Eastern Washington & Columbia Basin: Scarlet gilia, penstemon, desert paintbrush

Pop's tip: Red-flowering currant is arguably the single most valuable native plant in western Washington — it blooms as early as February, right when Anna's Hummingbirds are already nesting and before Rufous Hummingbirds arrive from Mexico, giving both species a reliable food source when almost nothing else is in bloom.

To make this easy, our Perfect Little Sanctuary® Wildflower Seed Blend is designed to bring nectar-rich color into your yard with minimal fuss.

When to Plant the Perfect Little Sanctuary® Blend in Washington

Timing splits along the Cascades. In western Washington's milder, wetter climate, aim for October through November, giving seed the benefit of the region's wet winter season. In eastern Washington, where winters are colder and drier, early spring planting (once the soil is workable) is often more reliable, similar to other cold-winter interior climates. This timing is based on the germination needs of the blend's own 12 varieties: 9 of the 12 either need or benefit from a cold, moist stratification period before they'll germinate well, and how that period is best delivered depends heavily on which side of the state you're on.

Top Performers in Washington

The Perfect Little Sanctuary® blend contains 12 varieties, and it's worth being upfront: none of them are true Pacific Northwest natives — Washington's native hummingbird plants are a different set entirely (see above). That said, several varieties are well-matched to Washington's climate and worth featuring:

• Clarkia (Clarkia unguiculata) — a California native built for a mild, dry-summer Mediterranean climate, which describes western Washington's summers surprisingly well; a rare case where this variety, a poor performer in humid states, should genuinely thrive
• White Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) — broadly native across nearly all of North America, including Washington, and very low-maintenance
• Siberian Wallflower (Cheiranthus allionii) — prefers cool, dry conditions, a good match for eastern Washington's climate
• Palmer Penstemon (Penstemon palmeri) — not a Washington native, but a genuine hummingbird favorite that performs well in dry, high-desert-like conditions similar to eastern Washington's Columbia Basin
• Indian Blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) — heat- and drought-tolerant, a reasonable fit for eastern Washington's dry summers
• Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) — not a Washington native, but a broadly adaptable garden performer with modest water

Pop's tip: Since this blend leans toward varieties suited to drier climates, gardeners on the wetter, western side of the state may want to supplement with true Pacific Northwest natives like red-flowering currant for the strongest results, while eastern Washington gardeners can lean more heavily on the blend as-is.

Summary: Key Takeaways for Attracting Hummingbirds in Washington

Building a hummingbird-friendly yard doesn't take a green thumb or a big budget — just a little consistency and the right setup. Here's everything from this guide in one place:

• Anna's Hummingbird is Washington's only year-round resident, having expanded into the state relatively recently thanks to backyard feeders and winter-blooming plants
• Rufous, Calliope, and Black-chinned round out the state's four regular species, arriving between late February and April and departing by late summer
• Feeder timing: year-round in western Washington for Anna's; by early March in eastern Washington for arriving migrants
• Any size space works — one feeder is plenty for a balcony; larger yards can support multiple feeders spaced apart, since hummingbirds are territorial
• Use a leak-proof feeder with a comfort perch, like the AspenPerch®, and fill it only as full as it'll be drunk in a few days
• Skip red dye in nectar; a plain 4:1 sugar-water ratio or Pop's Nectar (with electrolytes and calcium) both work
• Change nectar every 1–2 days above 90°F, up to every 5–6 days below 70°F, and watch for freezing in winter
• Clean the feeder at every nectar change with warm water and vinegar — no soap or bleach
• Never use insecticide near feeders; hummingbirds rely on insects for protein. Use vinegar-water spray and HummGuard™ nectar tips for pest control instead
• Add a swing near the feeder to give hummingbirds a place to rest and be observed up close
• Native, nectar-rich plants (red-flowering currant, orange honeysuckle, penstemon, salmonberry, depending on region) do more for hummingbirds long-term than feeders alone
• Sow wildflower seed in October–November in western Washington, or early spring in colder eastern Washington; Clarkia, White Yarrow, Siberian Wallflower, Palmer Penstemon, Indian Blanket, and Black-Eyed Susan are the strongest Washington performers in Pop's Perfect Little Sanctuary® blend, though none are true regional natives

Get these basics in place, and the wonder takes care of itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

A few of the questions we hear most from fellow hummingbird lovers across Washington:

Should I keep my hummingbird feeder up all year in Washington? In western Washington, yes — Anna's Hummingbirds are year-round residents and depend on feeders through the winter, especially during cold snaps. In eastern Washington, most species are seasonal and a feeder up by early March is a safe bet.

What is the most common hummingbird in Washington? Anna's Hummingbird in western Washington, thanks to its year-round presence. Rufous Hummingbird is the most widespread migratory species statewide.

Do hummingbirds migrate away from Washington in winter? Most do — Rufous, Calliope, and Black-chinned Hummingbirds are seasonal migrants — but Anna's Hummingbirds stay put in much of western Washington year-round.

How often should I clean my hummingbird feeder in Washington? Clean it every time you change the nectar — as often as every 1–2 days during warm stretches above 90°F, and at least every 5–6 days in cooler weather. In winter, also check nectar after freezing nights.

What are the best plants to attract hummingbirds in Washington? Red-flowering currant is the standout in western Washington, blooming as early as February. Orange honeysuckle and red columbine perform well throughout the Cascades, while scarlet gilia and penstemon are solid choices for the drier Columbia Basin. Native, tubular, red or orange flowers are the general rule of thumb.

At Pop's Birding, we believe every backyard — big or small — has room for a little more wonder. Explore our feeders, nectars, swings, and wildflower seed blends to start building your own hummingbird sanctuary today.