Hummingbirds of Columbia County, Oregon

Hummingbirds need a constant source of nectar to power their high-energy flight (eating insects fulfills their nutritional needs but rarely their full energy needs), so our cold county doesn’t have much diversity. A couple species do make their way here.

annas hummingbird male oregon columbia county
Anna’s Hummingbird (male) – A stocky green hummingbird, the males showing a rose-colored throat. Our primary year-round hummingbird species. (photo © Rojas Burke)
annas hummingbird female oregon columbia county
Anna’s Hummingbird (female) – Female Anna’s Hummingbirds are rather plain greenish above and grayish below. Uniquely breeds here in winter. (photo © Patty Teague)
rufous hummingbird male oregon columbia county
Rufous Hummingbird (male) – The only hummingbird in America with a rufous back, its throat is orangish-red in the sun. Seen here March through August. (photo © Kara Schafer)
rufous hummingbird female oregon columbia county
Rufous Hummingbird (female) – Similar to a female Anna’s but bright cinnamon/copper lower sides set them apart. Larger and brighter sides than Calliope. (photo © Cat Kizer)
calliope hummingbird male oregon columbia county
Calliope Hummingbird (male) – Smaller than other hummingbirds, with a unique throat patch that has individual rays. An extremely infrequent visitor to our area. (photo © cgates326)
calliope hummingbird female oregon columbia county
Calliope Hummingbird (female) – Small size, white line on top base of bill, and tan undersides that aren’t as bright as the color on a female Rufous. (photo © Ken Chamberlain)

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