Hot for Hummers

Creating a Hummingbird Paradise in Your Spokane Landscape

Few backyard visitors are as thrilling as a hummingbird — a flash of iridescent green hovering at eye level, wings beating faster than the eye can follow. In the Spokane region, the Rufous hummingbird is the most common summer visitor, arriving in late April or early May on its northward migration, while the Black-chinned hummingbird nests here through the summer months. Attracting them starts with the right plants, and the Inland Northwest offers a wonderful palette of native options. Red flowering currant is an outstanding early bloomer that times perfectly with the first Rufous arrivals, while native penstemons, scarlet gilia, and orange honeysuckle vine keep the nectar flowing through summer. Fireweed is a hummingbird magnet and thrives in Spokane's climate with virtually no care. Planting in generous clusters and layering tall shrubs with mid-height perennials gives hummingbirds food at every level and mirrors the diverse shrub-steppe and forest-edge habitats they naturally gravitate toward in our region.

Beyond flowers, Spokane hummingbirds need water and protein to fuel their remarkable metabolism. A fine misting fountain or a gentle dripper is far more appealing to them than a standard birdbath — they love to dart through a light spray to bathe on the wing, which is especially refreshing during Spokane's hot, dry July and August. For protein, hummingbirds hunt tiny insects and spiders with surprising dedication, making a pesticide-free yard essential to their wellbeing. Leaving a few plants that naturally harbor small insects, and skipping broad-spectrum sprays, supports their diet in ways no feeder can match. A supplemental nectar feeder — filled with one part white sugar dissolved in four parts water, with no dyes or additives — can be a valuable bridge during dry spells when blooms are scarce, but be sure to clean it every two to three days to prevent harmful fermentation.

Thinking seasonally is the key to making your Spokane yard a reliable hummingbird destination year after year. Get the season off to a strong start by having red flowering currant in bloom by late April to welcome returning migrants fresh off their long journey. Through the heart of summer, a rotating succession of native penstemons, agastache, and bee balm keeps hummingbirds returning daily. As August winds down and the Rufous begin heading south toward Mexico, late-blooming natives like hyssop and cardinal flower help fuel their journey. A few slender perches — a bare branch tip, a tall garden stake, or the top of a native shrub — give territorial males a favorite lookout post. With thoughtful plant choices suited to our dry, four-season climate and a no to very low chemical use, your Spokane landscape can become a beloved seasonal home for some of nature's most astonishing little birds.

Here is information about Hummingbirds that visit Spokane:

Rufous Hummingbird - Known for its vibrant orange-red plumage, commonly seen in summer.
Calliope Hummingbird - The smallest bird in North America, recognized by its iridescent throat.
Anna's Hummingbird - A year-round resident with a distinctive green and pink coloration.
Black-chinned Hummingbird - Features a black chin and is often found in open areas and gardens.
Costa's Hummingbird - Recognized by its striking purple crown and throat, typically found in arid regions.