Allen's Hummingbird
Selasphorus sasin
Tiny iridescent green hummingbird with rufous tail; males show dramatic courtship dives. Spring/early summer Bay Area breeder. Pollinates currants, gooseberries, and sage while defending territories aggressively.
Plants that support Allen's Hummingbird
19 plants
Bearberry Honeysuckle
Lonicera involucrata var. ledebourii
shrub
Spring breeding season nectar resource
Branching Phacelia
Phacelia ramosissima
perennial herb
Early spring migration fuel and breeding season resource
California Buckeye
Aesculus californica
tree
Early spring nectar source during breeding season establishment, May-Jun bloom
California Figwort
Scrophularia californica
perennial herb
Spring breeding season arrival Feb-May; important early nectar source for breeding females
California Fuchsia
Epilobium canum
perennial herb
Critical late-season nectar source Aug-Nov for pre-migration fuel; supports southbound migration
Cliff Maids
Lewisia cotyledon
perennial herb
Spring migration and nesting season fuel source
Douglas' Thistle
Cirsium douglasii var. douglasii
perennial herb
Spring migration nectar source Feb-May; critical during northbound migration
Elegant Clarkia
Clarkia unguiculata
annual
Early spring breeding season nectar source Mar-May
Facelia
Phacelia tanacetifolia
annual
Early spring breeding season nectar during pre-migration staging
Flowering Currant
Ribes sanguineum
shrub
Critical early spring nectar source (Jan-Apr) during breeding season establishment and nest construction
Foothill Penstemon
Penstemon heterophyllus
perennial herb
Primary nectar source during spring migration and breeding (Apr-Jun)
Golden Currant
Ribes aureum
shrub
Critical early spring nectar source for northbound migrants
Hummingbird Sage
Salvia spathacea
perennial herb
Early spring migrant; critical fuel source during northward migration and breeding season (Mar-May)
Indian-pink
Silene laciniata subsp. californica
perennial herb
Early spring migrant fuel source in coastal California
Scarlet Bugler
Penstemon centranthifolius
perennial herb
critical spring migration staging and early breeding season fuel
Showy Penstemon
Penstemon spectabilis
perennial herb
Critical spring migration fuel and early breeding season nectar source
Sticky Monkey Flower
Diplacus aurantiacus
shrub
Spring migration and breeding season nectar source Mar-Jul
Toyon
Heteromeles arbutifolia
tree
Migratory species, nectar available during Jun-Jul bloom and early breeding season