Hummingbirds in California in January
Yes, January is a good month to see hummingbirds in California. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 11,128 of the 132,678 sightings logged across the year (8.4%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Good month for hummingbirds in California
8.4%
of yearly sightings
11,128
records in January
#5
busiest month of 12
132,678
verified records a year
December 6.1%, January 8.4%, February 9.7%. Busiest month is April at 16.3%.
132,678 verified observations of hummingbirds in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hummingbirds are recorded in California
Peak month
April
21,658 records (16.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 11,128 | 8.4% |
| February | 12,811 | 9.7% |
| Marchpeak | 16,213 | 12.2% |
| Aprilpeak | 21,658 | 16.3% |
| Maypeak | 14,938 | 11.3% |
| June | 8,833 | 6.7% |
| July | 8,073 | 6.1% |
| August | 8,002 | 6% |
| September | 8,294 | 6.3% |
| October | 7,533 | 5.7% |
| November | 7,039 | 5.3% |
| December | 8,156 | 6.1% |
Hummingbirds you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Anna's Hummingbird | 77,567 |
| Allen's Hummingbird | 23,692 |
| Costa's Hummingbird | 10,630 |
| Black-chinned Hummingbird | 4,099 |
| Rufous Hummingbird | 2,514 |
| Calliope Hummingbird | 661 |
| Broad-billed Hummingbird | 156 |
| Anna's × Costa's Hummingbird | 38 |
In California, January carries 8.4% of the year's hummingbirds sightings, about 0.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from December (6.1%) into January, and it heads toward February (9.7%) after. The busiest month is April (16.3%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The hummingbirds most often recorded in California are Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird and Costa's Hummingbird. Those counts are annual totals rather than a January split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in January itself.
Which hummingbirds you are most likely to see
- Anna's Hummingbird77,567 records
- Allen's Hummingbird23,692 records
- Costa's Hummingbird10,630 records
- Black-chinned Hummingbird4,099 records
- Rufous Hummingbird2,514 records
- Calliope Hummingbird661 records
Plan your hummingbird trip in California
Start with live tours near Alcatraz Island, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Alcatraz Island
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main hummingbird viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Alcatraz Island
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best hummingbird viewing area in California.
Viator
Broader backupBook a hummingbird tour in California
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see hummingbirds in California in January?+
Yes. January accounts for 11,128 of the 132,678 verified hummingbirds sightings logged in California across the year, which is 8.4% of the annual total.
Is January a good time to see hummingbirds in California?+
January is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though April and March is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for hummingbirds in California?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, March and May, based on 132,678 verified observations.
Which hummingbirds are you most likely to see in California?+
The most-recorded species in California are Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird and Costa's Hummingbird, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See hummingbirds in California in other months
More places to see hummingbirds
More wildlife in California