Hummingbirds are found naturally only in the Americas. There are over 300 different species of hummingbirds, but they are limited to the Western Hemisphere. Hummingbirds are found as far north as Alaska and as far south as Chile, but they are not found natively on any other continents. Their small size, high metabolism, and adaptations for hover-feeding on flower nectar restrict them to the tropical and subtropical Americas. However, some species have been introduced to other parts of the world.
Where are hummingbirds found naturally?
Hummingbirds are found naturally throughout North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Here are some more details on their native range:
North America
– The United States and Canada host over a dozen species, including Ruby-throated, Rufous, Allen’s, Anna’s, and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds. They summer as far north as Alaska.
– Mexico hosts over 30 species, including magnificent hummingbird, blue-throated hummingbird, and white-eared hummingbird. Mexico has more native hummingbird species than any other country.
Central America
– Countries like Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Panama can have over 40 species present. Some examples are the scaly-breasted hummingbird, purple-crowned fairy, and snowcap.
– Tropical flowers provide plentiful nectar for hummingbirds in Central America.
Caribbean Islands
– Islands like Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico have between 5-15 endemic species, like the Cuban emerald and Antillean mango.
– Some species are restricted to single islands due to geographical isolation.
South America
– Colombia and Ecuador are exceptionally diverse, with over 130 species each. Examples include the sword-billed hummingbird, the giant hummingbird, and the purple-bibbed whitetip.
– Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia also have very high diversity, supporting species like the amethyst woodstar, the ruby-topaz hummingbird, and the black-eared fairy.
– Chile and Argentina have about 10 species each, including the Chilean woodstar and the giant hummingbird.
Introduced Populations Outside the Americas
While hummingbirds naturally only live in the Americas, some species have been introduced to other parts of the world by humans, either intentionally or accidentally. Here are some examples:
Europe
– Rufous hummingbirds regularly migrate to southeast Alaska and have been observed as vagrants in Europe, including England,Scotland, and Ireland.
Asia
– Small populations of black-chinned hummingbirds were introduced to Singapore.
– Rufous hummingbirds have also been sighted as vagrants in eastern Russia and China.
Africa
– Anna’s hummingbirds were introduced to Morocco in the late 1920s and apparently persist in very small numbers.
– Other vagrant individuals have been sighted but there are no sizeable introduced populations.
Oceania
– Hummingbirds are not found natively in Australasia or the Pacific Islands. A few vagrants have reached Hawaii.
So while hummingbirds have established breeding populations on a few continents outside the Americas, these represent a tiny fraction of their overall range. Hummingbirds remain naturally exclusive to the New World.
Why are hummingbirds restricted to the Americas?
Hummingbirds’ unique adaptations suit them to the climates and ecological niches found in the Americas. Here are some reasons they are limited to the Western Hemisphere:
Flower Coevolution
– Hummingbirds have an intimate ecological relationship with many New World flowers that they fertilize. These flowers coevolved to attract hummingbirds.
– For example, certain tubular flowers perfectly match hummingbird beaks. This relationship doesn’t exist in other continents.
Climate
– Hummingbirds are tropical and subtropical species. The Americas provide ideal habitat.
– They would struggle to survive cold winters in much of Europe and Asia.
Competition
– Other nectar-feeding birds like sunbirds and lories could outcompete hummingbirds in Africa and Australasia.
– In the Americas, hummingbirds evolved as the primary nectarivores.
Migration
– Hummingbirds migrate along established routes in the Americas. Developing new migration patterns across oceans would be difficult.
Size
– Hummingbirds’ tiny size makes dispersing across oceans or large land barriers less likely.
So a combination of biological factors and geographical barriers keep hummingbirds in their ancestral home of the Americas, apart from a handful of introduced populations on other continents.
How many hummingbird species are there in major regions of the Americas?
Here is a table summarizing the number of hummingbird species found in major countries and regions of the Americas:
| Region | Number of Hummingbird Species |
|---|---|
| Mexico | 32 |
| Central America | 42 |
| Caribbean Islands | 16 |
| United States and Canada | 16 |
| Colombia | 134 |
| Ecuador | 132 |
| Peru | 117 |
| Brazil | 105 |
| Bolivia | 96 |
| Chile | 10 |
| Argentina | 11 |
This table illustrates that hummingbird diversity generally increases as you move from north to south in the Americas, with tropical Andean countries like Colombia and Ecuador having the richest hummingbird faunas with over 130 species each. Overall, approximately 340 species of hummingbirds are found in the wild in the Americas, with many range restricted endemic species in remote mountains and islands.
What are some of the rarest and most endangered hummingbird species?
While most hummingbird species are widespread and not currently threatened, some endemic species with tiny distributions are endangered and at risk of extinction. Here are five of the most endangered hummingbirds:
Marvelous Spatuletail
– Endemic to a small area of Peru
– Restricted to just a few remote mountaintops
– Total population may be only 1000 individuals
Turquoise-throated Puffleg
– Found only on a couple Andean slopes in Ecuador
– Estimated 200 adults remaining in wild
– Rainforest habitat threatened by logging
Esmeraldas Woodstar
– Native to a single valley in Ecuador
– Fewer than 1000 mature birds survive
– Endangered by mining projects
Blue-bearded Helmetcrest
– Lives only in a few highland forests in Colombia
– Population has fallen below 1000
– Habitat degradation from grazing
Mangoverde Hummingbird
– Endemic to a small desert oasis in Peru
– Extent of habitat less than 500 square kilometers
– Endangered by irrigation overuse lowering water table
These and other endangered hummingbirds face threats like habitat loss, climate change, and competition from invasive species. Conservation efforts to protect key habitats and breeding sites are critical to preserving them. Without intervention, the extinction of some species is possible.
Conclusion
In conclusion, hummingbirds are found only in the Americas, including diverse tropical regions from Mexico to Chile. A few vagrant individuals reach other continents, but self-sustaining populations are limited to North America, Central America, South America, and Caribbean islands. Their coevolved relationship with New World flowers, energy demands adapted to the Americas, and an inability to colonize new continents prevent them from naturally spreading worldwide. While most species are common, habitat loss endangers over a dozen types of rare hummingbirds limited to tiny remnant forests and mountaintops. Protecting these critical endemic hummingbirds from extinction remains an important challenge for conservationists across the Americas.
