Are There Hummingbirds In Alaska?

Last Updated on December 30, 2021 by Guillermina

What do you really think about this: Are there hummingbirds in Alaska? For Hummingbirds enthusiasts. This is a very exciting question and the answer will in no small way influence some of their decisions.

Hummingbirds are uniquely small and beautiful birds, notorious for their constant humming. For those who are interested in bird watching, these birds are a lovely sight to behold. Their manner of playing, singing, wooing, etc is a wonder to behold.

The question of whether there are hummingbirds in Alaska will be adequately answered in this article.

Some Interesting Facts About Hummingbirds

Here are some fascinating things to note about these sweet hummers:

• Hummingbirds are uniquely small: These birds are largely considered to be the smallest birds in the world, weighing the smallest. Despite their size, they are always amazing to behold and watch.
• Attracting Hummingbirds is easy: attracting them around our gardens is relatively easy. All you need do is to put out feeders during the season of the birds and hang these feeders conspicuously to attract these birds when they come around your garden to eat nectars.
• Hummingbirds are voracious eaters: Despite the size and composition of these birds, when you watch them, you would be amazed at the amount of food they consume. They eat anything ranging from insects to nectars, to sugar-water solution, et cetera. You would likely find them eating every 10 or 15 minutes.
• Unique abilities: These birds have some very unique abilities not common in other birds generally. For instance, a hummingbird can fly in any direction- upwards, downwards, sideways, etc. They also have the ability to suspend and stay at a single spot when flying in the air.
• The male attracts the female: The male hummingbirds are usually a beauty to behold when they are trying to attract or woo the female hummingbirds. You will find them making very deep dives in front of the females, sometimes singing to the pleasure of the females, humming beautifully to woo the female.

Hummingbirds In Alaska: Can You Find Them Here?

The answer to this question is in the affirmative reply. Hummingbirds of different species can be found in Alaska.

The hummingbirds that may be found in Alaska are however migratory in nature. Therefore, hummingbirds may not be found all year round in Alaska except in very few instances.

Alaska Hummingbirds: When Is Their Season Here?

Hummingbirds hardly stay in Alaska all year round. They migrate out of Alaska usually after breeding. The male usually arrives in Alaska first in March. When they arrive, they spread north along the coast through the Gulf area.

The female hummingbirds usually arrive about a week or two weeks after the arrival of the male. Once the females arrive, they start preparing their nests where they will be laying their eggs.

Types Of Hummingbirds In Alaska

Alaska Hummingbirds come in various unique features. So, some of the popular Hummingbirds you may be lucky enough to find in Alaska are as follows:

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds

The ruby-throated hummingbird is one species of hummingbird commonly found in Alaska.

The ruby-throated species is usually the first to arrive in Alaska and the first to leave. The male has a ruby-red throat, a greenback, a forked tail, and a white collar.

The females, on the other hand, have a greenback, and their tail feathers are banded white, grey-green, and black.

Rufous Hummingbird

The southeast and southcentral areas of Alaska are primarily occupied by the Rufous Hummingbird. This feisty and far-flung species of hummingbird is a relatively small bird with a very straight bill.

The male usually glows with very bright orange on the belly and black-colored throats. The female hummers are green with a spot of orange.

The Rufous Hummingbird is notorious for its ability to not only return to the same feeding areas each year, but also to the exact same bushes, flowers, and feeders.

This species is unique for its peculiar memory. The Rufous is the most aggressive kind of hummingbird that can be found in Alaska. They always look particularly fierce in the defense of territory.

Anna’s Hummingbird

Anna’s hummingbirds are widely considered to be one of the “big” hummingbirds in Alaska, as they are larger than most other species. They are also a very vocal species of hummingbird, with the ability to vocalize and sing beautifully when perched on tall tree branches.

This species is also known for its territorial behavior. The males would easily be found making elaborate dive displays at other birds and even people to asset authority. The males have a glossy dark reddish rose throat and crowns which are black or purple. The male underside is greyish while their back is metallic green.

On the other hand, the females have a light grey chest, and you will easily spot a red and white spotting on their throats. They have greenish back and white-tipped tails.

Costa’s Hummingbird

A few of these can also be seen in Alaska during the hummingbird season. The males can be identified by their glossy purple crown and very long conspicuous throat feathers. The males usually have a metallic greenback.

For the females, they have a greyish-green crown on their head tops and backs. They have a whitish chin and some black spotting on their throats.

Calliope Hummingbirds

This is one of the smallest hummingbirds you will likely find in Alaska. They are sometimes confused with the Rufous Hummingbirds and the Broad-tailed Hummingbirds.

The male Calliope has a short bill, with a metallic green head crown and purple feathers on their necks. Their back is covered with brown feathers, and their underside with grey hairs. The females have brown and gold feathers covering their bodies.

Are There Hummingbirds In Alaska: Conclusion

This article gives the answer to the question of whether there are hummingbirds in Alaska. There are hummingbirds in Alaska and they come during the hummingbird season. The Rufous and Anna’s hummingbirds are the most popular types here.

The major features of these hummingbirds that can be found in Alaska are sufficiently discussed above. So, take note of the differences explained when next you spot a hummingbird in Alaska.