Allen's Hummingbird
Location: 2437 Birch St, Palo Alto, CA 94306
The Fiery Coppersmith: The Coastal Commuter
The Allen's Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin) is a tiny but fearless California native known for its brilliant colors and energetic flight.
Size: 3–3.5 inches long.
Look: Males have a glowing copper-orange back, tail, and sides with a bright reddish-orange throat. Females are bronze-green with pale undersides.
Bay Area Schedule: Many are year-round residents, while some migrate along the California coast.
Fascinating Facts
Tiny Birds, Big Personalities: Allen's Hummingbirds may be small, but they aggressively defend flowers and feeders.
The Flying Flame: During courtship, males perform dramatic flight displays with buzzing sounds and flashing orange feathers.
Spiderweb Architects: Females build tiny nests from plant fibers, feathers, and spider silk. The flexible nests expand as chicks grow.
Insect Hunters: Besides nectar, they catch tiny insects and spiders for protein.
How to Welcome Them: Nectar, Flowers & Safe Spaces
Mix sugar water: 4 parts water + 1 part white sugar.
Never use syrups with red dye, honey, or artificial sweeteners.
Keep feeders clean.
Avoid pesticides to protect insects.
Provide shallow moving water for bathing.
Plant a Coastal Nectar Oasis
Fuchsia-flowered Gooseberry (Ribes speciosum): Early red winter flowers provide nectar.
California Fuchsia (Epilobium canum): Bright flowers attract hummingbirds in late summer and fall.
Hummingbird Sage (Salvia spathacea): Tubular flowers are perfectly shaped for hummingbird feeding.
Quick Identification
Allen's Hummingbird: Green back with copper-orange sides and tail.
Rufous Hummingbird: More uniformly orange and usually a migrant.