Hummingbirds are small, colorful birds that are found naturally only in the Americas. They are known for their ability to hover in mid-air and fly backwards, as well as their fast metabolisms and rapid wing-flapping. Hummingbirds have adapted to a wide range of environments, from tropical lowlands to high-mountain habitats. But do they primarily live in tropical areas?
Quick answer: Yes, most hummingbird species are found in tropical areas
The majority of hummingbird species occur in tropical regions of Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean. Of the over 300 described hummingbird species, fewer than 30 species regularly occur outside of the tropics and subtropics. Tropical areas provide ideal habitat conditions for hummingbirds, including abundant food sources in the form of nectar-producing flowers and arthropods, as well as suitable sites for nesting and raising young. The diversity of hummingbirds declines significantly outside of the tropics.
Hummingbird diversity is highest in the tropics
Tropical regions support the greatest diversity of hummingbird species. For example, over 160 species can be found in the tropical Andes mountains of South America. Colombia alone has more hummingbird species (over 130) than the entire U.S. and Canada combined. Similarly, over 40 species are found on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, while only 8 regular species occur in the U.S. Even within temperate regions, hummingbird diversity is higher in subtropical areas closer to the tropics. The closer to the equator, the more hummingbird species are present.
This pattern of high tropical diversity is driven by a combination of factors:
- Stable, warm climate year-round provides ideal conditions.
- Abundant food availability, especially flowers adapted to pollination by hummingbirds.
- Complex terrain and ecosystems providing niche habitats and isolation that drives speciation.
- Minimal fluctuation in day length throughout the year facilitates year-round breeding.
Tropical habitats preferred by hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are most abundant and diverse in the following tropical and subtropical habitats:
Tropical rainforests
Tropical rainforests support extremely high densities of flowering plants, providing a reliable food source for hummingbirds. Rainforests contain many plant species that rely on hummingbirds for pollination. Hummingbirds like the Long-billed Hermit are specialized to pollinate rainforest flowers with long, curved corollas.
Tropical dry forests
Despite a prolonged dry season, tropical dry forests can support many hummingbird-pollinated flowers that bloom when water is available. Some species like the Blue-throated Goldentail are dry forest specialists.
Tropical mountain cloud forests
Hummingbirds thrive in moist, cool mountain forests with many flowering epiphytes and shrubs. Species like the Colorful Puffleg are endemic to tropical mountains.
Subtropical thickets and scrublands
Diverse hummingbird communities occupy dry subtropical habitats with limited tree cover, relying on low flowering plants. For example, the Bahama Woodstar survives on tiny tropical islets with no fresh water.
Subtropical mangrove forests
Mangroves along tropical coastlines contain specialized nectar-feeding hummingbirds like the Black-throated Mango, which feed on mangrove flowers.
Subtropical desert oases
In arid subtropical zones, hummingbirds congregate in desert oases with flowering plants and water sources. Species like the Lucifer Hummingbird thrive in these habitats.
Hummingbirds at higher latitudes and elevations
While hummingbird diversity drops off significantly outside the tropics, some species have expanded their ranges to temperate regions and high elevations.
In North America
In North America north of Mexico, only 12 species regularly breed, while an additional dozen species may occur rarely or seasonally. The northernmost breeding hummingbird is the Rufous Hummingbird, which nests as far north as southeast Alaska. Anna’s and Costa’s hummingbirds also breed into relatively cold climates on the Pacific Coast. Most American hummingbirds migrate or retreat south in fall and winter.
In South America
In South America south of the tropics, approximately a dozen species occur in subtropical and temperate climates, including the Giant Hummingbird which breeds at elevations up to 14,000 feet in the Andes Mountains. Chile and Argentina have about 10 breeding hummingbird species each. Most South American species retreat towards the equator in winter.
At high elevations
Some tropical hummingbird species inhabit cold high-mountain habitats by entering daily torpor to conserve energy. Notable high-elevation species include the Andean Hillstar and the Ecuadorian Hillstar found at elevations up to 17,000 feet in the Andes.
Key factors enabling hummingbirds to inhabit non-tropical areas
Hummingbirds living outside the tropics rely on the following adaptations:
- Shift their ranges or migrate seasonally to warmer climates
- Enter torpor to conserve energy on cold nights
- Switch food sources from nectar to insects in winter
- Take advantage of microclimates and urban heat islands
Access to human-provided food sources through feeders also helps hummingbirds survive farther north. But most hummingbird species remain dependent on tropical and subtropical habitats year-round.
Conclusion
In summary, the vast majority of the world’s over 300 hummingbird species live year-round in tropical regions of the Americas. Tropical habitats provide an abundance of flowers for nectar and feeding as well as ideal climate conditions that enable hummingbirds to thrive. Only a few dozen species have expanded their breeding ranges to occupy subtropical or temperate climates, while most hummingbirds retreat from colder environments in winter through migration or entering torpor. So while specialized adaptations allow some hummingbirds to inhabit areas outside the tropics part-time, overall these tiny, colorful birds are truly birds of the tropics.
