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Readers’ favorite places to watch hummingbirds
Published: April 5, 2010
To view our map of readers’ favorite places to watch hummingbirds, click here.
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Last December and January, we asked readers of Birder’s World Magazine to tell us their favorite places in North America to see hummingbirds. More than 1,500 readers responded, casting more than 4,800 votes for 102 hummingbird hotspots. Their favorite places are plotted on the map above and listed below.
An article in the June 2010 issue of Birder’s World (now BirdWatching) describes our readers’ favorite place to watch hummingbirds — the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson. Subscribers will have full access to the article, along with the rest of the June issue, online. You can, too! Subscribe to BirdWatching!
Congratulations to our binocular winner!
Each survey participant was entered into a drawing for a Nikon Monarch 8x36 binocular provided by our generous partner, Nikon Sport Optics. Nikon and we were happy to award the binoculars to Jeannette Fackler of Garrettsville, Ohio. Read about Jeannette here.
For more information about Nikon Sport Optics, visit www.NikonBirding.com.
See our readers’ favorite places to watch eagles.
See our readers’ favorite places to watch warblers.
See our readers' favorite places to watch shorebirds.
Our readers’ favorite places to watch hummingbirds: |
1. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, AZ
A 21-acre zoo, botanical garden, and natural-history museum that showcases the plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert. The museum’s famous hummingbird aviary currently houses 17 adults of five species: Anna’s, Broad-billed, Broad-tailed, Costa’s, and Rufous Hummingbirds. Pairs breed in the aviary, allowing visitors up-close views of nests. Located just south of Saguaro National Park.
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Read more: “Visit an Unusual Birding Oasis” by Sam Fried, Birder’s World, April 2001, p. 52
Read more: “Arizona’s Hummingbird Hotspots” by Charles W. Melton, Birder’s World, June 2003, p. 28
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2. My backyard
Enough people wrote in “my front porch” (or balcony, patio, kitchen window, garden, or cabin) to make “My Backyard” our readers’ second favorite place to watch hummingbirds. You can learn about wildflowers that will attract hummingbirds to your backyard at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas.
Read more: “Our Bird Garden” by Lillian and Don Stokes, Birder’s World, August 2007, p. 20
Read more: “March and April Tips” by Anne Schmauss, Mary Schmauss, and Geni Krolick, Birder’s World, April 2009, p. 56
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3. Madera Canyon, AZ
A deep, densely wooded canyon in the Coronado National Forest on the north slope of the Santa Rita Mountains. The famous feeding station at Santa Rita Lodge offers easy access to Broad-billeds and as many as 11 other species of hummingbird as well as other canyon birds.
Read more: “Madera Canyon, Arizona” by Kenn Kaufman, Birder’s World, June 1991, p. 42
Read more: “Your Fifteen Favorites” Birder’s World, October 2002, p. 39
Read more: “Arizona’s Hummingbird Hotspots” by Charles W. Melton, Birder’s World, June 2003, p. 28
Read more: “20 Birds, 12 Hotspots, One Dream Trip” by Matt Mendenhall, Birder’s World, December 2006, p. 50
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4. Ramsey Canyon Preserve, AZ
More than 170 species of birds, including up to 14 species of hummingbird, occur in this 300-acre Nature Conservancy preserve, located within the Upper San Pedro River Basin. The best months for birding at the preserve are April through September.
Ramsey Canyon Preserve (Nature Conservancy)
Read more: “Arizona’s Hummingbird Hotspots” by Charles W. Melton, Birder’s World, June 2003, p. 28 |
5. Paton Residence, Patagonia, AZ
This nondescript ranch house is the home of the late Wally and Marion Paton and one of the most famous birdwatching sites in Arizona. Feeders attract as many as 13 species of hummingbird, including Violet-crowned. Donations to the sugar fund appreciated. Located on the edge of the Nature Conservancy's Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, another excellent birding destination. (See No. 10.)
Read more: “20 Birds, 12 Hotspots, One Dream Trip” by Matt Mendenhall, Birder’s World, December 2006, p. 50 |
6. Cave Creek Canyon, AZ
One of the best places in the Southwest to see the Elegant Trogon. Among the 200+ bird species that have been sighted here are Rose-throated Becard, Olive Warbler, Red-faced Warbler, Magnificent Hummingbird, and Blue-throated Hummingbird.
Scenic drive: Cave Creek Canyon/Portal-to-Paradise Loop (USDA Forest Service)
Guide to Birding Hot Spots in the Chiricahua Mountains & Sulphur Springs Valley (Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory)
Read more: “Arizona’s Hummingbird Hotspots” by Charles W. Melton, Birder’s World, June 2003, p. 28
Read more: “20 Birds, 12 Hotspots, One Dream Trip” by Matt Mendenhall, Birder’s World, December 2006, p. 50
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7. Hummingbird Festival, Dade City, FL
The Hummingbird Festival was held October 3, 2009, at the Pioneer Florida Museum and Village, Dade City.
Pioneer Florida Museum and Village
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8. Beatty’s Miller Canyon Guest Ranch, AZ
Feeding stations and a hummingbird/butterfly garden attract 15 species of hummingbird (up to 13 at one time), plus an astonishing variety of naturally occurring hybrids, making Tom and Edith Beatty’s guest ranch and orchard the hottest hummingbird-watching spot in Arizona. Located at an elevation of 5,800 ft. in breathtaking Miller Canyon in the Huachuca Mountains. Most productive from April through September.
Beatty’s Miller Canyon Guest Ranch and Orchard
Read more: “Arizona’s Hummingbird Hotspots” by Charles W. Melton, Birder’s World, June 2003, p. 28
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9. Cape May Bird Observatory, Cape May Court House, NJ
Home of Birder’s World Contributing Editor Pete Dunne and arguably the most celebrated birding destination in North America, Cape May attracts Ruby-throated Hummingbirds regularly every year. (Rufous is a very rare visitor; Black-chinned, Calliope, and Allen’s are accidental.) Hummingbirds arrive in mid-April and depart in mid- to late September, although a few may linger into November or even December.
Cape May Bird Observatory
33rd Annual Cape May Spring Weekend
Read more: “Cape May Mystique” by Pete Dunne, Birder’s World, October 2005, p. 22
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10. Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preseve, Patagonia, AZ
One of the best birding spots in the Southwest. Protects the first two miles of permanent flow of Sonoita Creek and the floodplains adjacent to the stream, and a magnificent example of the rare Fremont cottonwood-Goodding willow riparian forest. (Gray Hawks nest in the Fremont cottonwood trees along the creek.) The best months for birding are March through September. Late April and May, and late August and September, offer the greatest diversity of species, including migrants and spring-summer residents. The home of Wally and Marion Paton, another great place for hummingbirds, is adjacent to the sanctuary. (See No. 5.)
Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve (Nature Conservancy)
Read more: “Arizona’s Hummingbird Hotspots” by Charles W. Melton, Birder’s World, June 2003, p. 28 |
11. Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA
The Hummingbird House in the San Diego Zoo is a long-time favorite of birdwatchers and other zoo visitors. The aviary includes waterfalls and beautiful exotic plants and hosts several South American hummer species, as well as tanagers and honeycreepers. Best of all, Anna’s Hummingbirds are everywhere on the zoo grounds outside.
San Diego Zoo
Read more: “The Face of Recovery” by John Moir, Birder’s World, December 2007, p. 20
Read more: San Elijo Lagoon, San Diego Co., Hotspots Near You No. 27, by Joan Easton Lentz, Birder’s World, October 2007, p. 54 |
12. Ash Canyon Bed and Breakfast, Sierra Vista, AZ
A year-round feeding station attracts 15 species of hummingbird, including Lucifer, Broad-billed, and Berylline, as well as Southeastern Arizona specialties such as Bridled Titmouse, Black-headed Grosbeak, Hooded Oriole, and Arizona Woodpecker. Located at 5,200 ft. in the beautiful Huachuca Mountains, just south of Miller Canyon.
Ash Canyon Bed & Breakfast
Read more: “Arizona’s Hummingbird Hotspots” by Charles W. Melton, Birder’s World, June 2003, p. 28
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13. Hummingbird Days, McAllen, TX
Watch banders trap, band, and release hummingbirds, and hear from experts on how to attract the birds to your yard. The festival will be held at Quinta Mazatlan, a country estate in the heart of McAllen and one of nine World Birding Center sites in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds migrate through the area, and Buff-bellied and Black-chinned Hummingbirds are summer residents.
Hummingbird Days
Saturday, April 10, 2010
8 am-5 pm
$45
World Birding Center — Quinta Mazatlan
Read more: “Birding
Tough” by Pete Dunne, Birder’s
World, October 2006, p. 16
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14. Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, Tucson, AZ
This Important Bird Area just outside Tucson is the Sonoran Desert’s most visited mountain canyon. Home to Phainopepla, Cactus Wren, Elf Owl, and Black-chinned Sparrow. Look for Broad-billed Hummingbird all year and especially from April through August. Rarities have included Plain-capped Starthroat and Violet-crowned Hummingbird. Managed by the Coronado National Forest.
Friends of Sabino Canyon
Coronado National Forest
Tucson Audubon Society
Read more: Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, Hotspot Near You No. 34, by Matthew Brooks, Birder’s World, February 2008, p. 45 |
16. Hummingbird Days, UC-Santa Cruz Arboretum, Santa Cruz, CA
Allen’s and Anna’s Hummingbirds are the stars of this two-day festival held each March at the UC-Santa Cruz Arboretum. Events include morning bird walks and tours of the arboretum’s many plants. Bring the kids for children’s stories, crafts, and tours.
UCSC Arboretum
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17. Wenas Valley, WA
A popular birding region along the lower east slopes of the Cascades in south-central Washington. The shrub-steppe, riparian, ponderosa pine woodlands, mixed conifer, and subalpine forest habitats attract a wide variety of birds. Specialties include Black-chinned, Calliope, and Rufous Hummingbirds, Golden Eagle, White-headed and Lewis’s Woodpeckers, and Sage Thrasher. Birding sites include Hardy Canyon, Wenas Road, and Wenas Campground, where about 200 Audubon members gather each Memorial Day weekend and see as many as 150 species.
Wenas Creek Region hotspots (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)
Wenas Audubon Campout
May 28-31, 2010
Wenas Wildlife Area |
18. Big Bend National Park, TX
Remote 800,000-acre Big Bend has recorded more bird species (450) than any other national park, including Lucifer, Blue-throated, Magnificent, Broad-tailed, Black-chinned, and Rufous Hummingbirds. Good spots to look are the Chisos Mountains, Boot Canyon, and along the Rio Grande. Other target species are Mexican Jay, Black-capped Vireo, Scott’s Oriole, and Varied Bunting.
Big Bend National Park (NPS)
Birds of Big Bend (NPS)
Read more: “Big Bend National Park” by Miller George Oxford, Birder’s World, April 1989,
p. 42
Read more: “Big Bend National Park” by Sam Fried, Birder’s World, October 1998, p. 70
Read more: “Top Five Birding Parks” by Ro Wauer, Birder’s World, April 2000, p. 46
Read more: “Your 15 Favorites” Birder’s World, October 2002, p. 39
Read more: “Last Birds” by Pete Dunne, Birder’s World, April 2004, p. 22
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19. Boyce-Thompson Arboretum State Park, Superior, AZ
The best migrant and vagrant trap in central Arizona. Residents include Gambel’s Quail, Gilded Flicker, and Verdin. “In the spring, hummingbirds are everywhere,” wrote Jim Burns in his Hotspots Near You report. Anna’s and Costa’s Hummingbirds breed here, and Broad-billed can be seen as well. From 2006 to October 2009, the park was home to a Broad-billed x Violet-crowned hybrid, only the second ever recorded.
Boyce-Thompson Arboretum State Park
Read more: Boyce-Thompson Arboretum State Park, Hotspot Near You No. 53, by Jim Burns, Birder’s World, December 2008, p. 42
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20. Hummer/Bird Celebration, Rockport/Fulton, TX
This event, held each year in September, is one of America’s most successful birding festivals. Hundreds of southbound Ruby-throated Hummingbirds feed at flowers in the Hummingbird Garden, and Buff-bellied and Black-chinned Hummingbirds may turn up as well. The celebration features workshops, field trips, hummingbird-banding demonstrations, and a vendor mall.
22nd Annual Hummer/Bird Celebration
September 16-19, 2010
Read more: “Blazing Binoculars” by Sam Fried, Birder’s World, December 1990, p. 22 |
21. Alaska Hummingbird Festival, Ketchikan, AK
Celebrate Rufous Hummingbirds as they return to southeast Alaska to breed. Festival events include guided bird hikes, art shows, and activities for children.
12th Annual Alaska Hummingbird Festival
April 2-20, 2010
Read more: “Alaska’s Watery Maze” by Robert Armstrong, Birder’s World, December 2003, p. 40
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22. San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area, AZ
Federally protected land along 40 miles of the San Pedro River, stretching from St. David, Arizona, to the Mexico border. The Globally Important Bird Area hosts more than 250 species throughout the year, and the San Pedro House, the area’s visitor center, is the site of a hummingbird-banding station operated by the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory. Nesting species include Summer Tanager, Yellow and Lucy’s Warblers, Blue Grosbeak, and Yellow-breasted Chat.
San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area (BLM)
Friends of the San Pedro River
Guide to Birding Hot Spots in the the Huachuca Mountains, San Pedro Valley & Mule Mountains (Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory)
Hummingbird Banding on the San Pedro River (Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory)
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24. Mesa Verde National Park, CO
This 81.4-square-mile national park in southwestern Colorado is best known for protecting 600 spectacular cliff dwellings of the Pueblo people who lived in the area from A.D. 600-1300. Trails offer good birding in spring and summer. More than 200 bird species have been recorded, including Black-chinned, Calliope, Broad-tailed, and Rufous Hummingbirds.
Mesa Verde National Park (NPS)
Bird Watching at Mesa Verde (NPS)
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25. Sierra Vista, AZ
This town lies at the heart of the birding scene in southeastern Arizona. To the west is Fort Huachuca, to the east is the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area, and to the south are Ramsey, Carr, Miller, and Ash Canyons. Plus, Sierra Vista is home base for the fantastic Southwest Wings Birding and Nature Festival, Arizona's longest-running nature festival.
19th Annual Southwest Wings Birding and Nature Festival
August 4-8, 2010
Read more: “Arizona’s Hummingbird Hotspots” by Charles W. Melton, Birder’s World, June 2003, p. 28
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