Allen's Hummingbird
A coastal West hummingbird that uses flowers, small insects, and carefully maintained nectar feeders during its early spring season.
By Birdly Yard Editorial TeamReviewed Updated
Local season
Months with a state-level historical signal for this species.
Status
Backyard reports
Look for it
Look in coastal scrub, chaparral, flowering gardens, and shrub tops from Oregon through California, especially early in spring.
Food
Flower nectar plus tiny insects and spiders caught in flight or picked from plants.
Nesting
Natural nesting guidance
One useful next step
Build for the habitat, not just the feeder.
Coastal forest, open scrub, chaparral, flowering gardens, and shaded shrub or tree cover for nesting females.
See the yard actionsA good yard is layered
Food helps, but cover, clean water, native plants, and a safe distance from hazards make a more dependable place for birds.
Allen's Hummingbird habitat
Coastal forest, open scrub, chaparral, flowering gardens, and shaded shrub or tree cover for nesting females.
Allen's Hummingbird diet and food
Flower nectar plus tiny insects and spiders caught in flight or picked from plants.
Use one part plain white sugar to four parts water, with no dye or honey; keep feeders clean and supplement them with native flowers.
How to attract it
Food & feeder
Flower nectar plus tiny insects and spiders caught in flight or picked from plants.
Cover & plants
Coastal forest, open scrub, chaparral, flowering gardens, and shaded shrub or tree cover for nesting females.
Allen's Hummingbird nesting and breeding
The female builds a tiny camouflaged cup in a shrub or tree, often near shade or a stream, using spiderweb and plant down.
Allen's Hummingbird behavior and where to look
Males defend flower-rich open territories and make dramatic display flights; females use denser cover to nest and raise young.
Photography
Use flowering plants or a clean feeder at a respectful distance and never crowd a nesting female.
What to avoid
Do not use colored nectar, honey, or dirty feeders, and do not prune likely nesting shrubs in season.
Continue exploring
Explore related bird guides
Compare food, habitat and nesting. Local seasonal records vary by species.
