Florida is home to many species of native and migratory hummingbirds. Hummingbirds are small, colorful birds with iridescent feathers that are able to hover in midair as their wings beat up to 80 times per second. They have the ability to fly forwards, backwards, upside down, and sideways. Hummingbirds get their name from the humming sound created by their rapidly beating wings. They are found only in the Americas.
Native hummingbirds found in Florida
There are two species of hummingbirds that are native to Florida:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Rufous Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is the most common and only breeding hummingbird in eastern North America. They are bright emerald green on their back and crown, with a gray-white underside. Adult males have an iridescent crimson-red throat patch or gorget which they can puff out during courtship displays. Females lack the red throat patch.
Ruby-throats breed in all 67 counties of Florida. They begin arriving in the state in February and are present until October before migrating south to their wintering grounds in Central America. Ruby-throats nest in a wide variety of habitats in Florida including pine flatwoods, scrub, hammocks, yards and parks.
Rufous Hummingbird
The Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is a small, compact bird with bright orange-red feathers on their back, rump and flanks. Adult males have a bright orange-red throat patch and a dark, slightly forked tail. Females lack the orange-red throat and have green along their flanks.
In Florida, Rufous Hummingbirds are primarily a winter visitor from September through May. They breed primarily in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska during the summer months. While not breeding in Florida, they can be observed visiting feeders and flowering plants throughout the state during the non-breeding season.
Migratory hummingbirds in Florida
In addition to the two native species, there are several species of hummingbirds that pass through or spend the winter in Florida including:
- Black-chinned Hummingbird
- Calliope Hummingbird
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird
- Buff-bellied Hummingbird
- Allen’s Hummingbird
These western and central species are vagrants or accidental to Florida, only appearing rarely or occasionally. The exception is the Buff-bellied Hummingbird which regularly winters along the Gulf Coast of Florida in small numbers.
Black-chinned Hummingbird
The Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) is a small hummingbird with a dark, forked tail and white tips on the outer tail feathers. Adult males have a black throat with a thin band of iridescent purple. Females have a pale throat with dark spots.
In Florida, Black-chinned are a rare winter visitor and spring migrant, mainly in the western Panhandle. They breed primarily in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Calliope Hummingbird
The Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) is the smallest breeding bird in North America. Adult males are brightly colored with purple-red throats, green backs, and white breast bands. Females lack the colorful throats.
In Florida, Calliope Hummingbirds are accidental, with only a handful of records. Most records are from the western Panhandle in fall and winter.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
The Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) is aptly named for its wide, squared tail. Adult males are brilliantly colored with a rose-red throat, green back, and broad white tips on the outer tail feathers. Females have a pale throat with green and rust colored spots on the flanks.
In Florida, Broad-tailed Hummingbirds are casual to rare migrants primarily in the western Panhandle. There are also a few records elsewhere in the state. They breed in the mountainous regions of the western US and Mexico.
Buff-bellied Hummingbird
The Buff-bellied Hummingbird (Amazilia yucatanensis) is medium-sized with a slightly downcurved bill. Adult males have a bright green throat and back along with a buffy orange belly. Females have a pale throat and lack the bright green throat patch.
In Florida, Buff-bellied Hummingbirds are regular winter visitors along the Gulf coast, arriving as early as July. They can be found in a variety of semi-open habitats including yards and parks. Their breeding range is in Mexico and south Texas.
Allen’s Hummingbird
The Allen’s Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin) is a small hummingbird with a green back, rufous sides, and narrow tail. Adult males have an orange-red throat, orange-red forehead, and flanks that are mostly rufous. Females have a pale throat with some green spotting.
In Florida, Allen’s Hummingbirds are accidental, with only a couple of documented records from the western Panhandle. They breed along the Pacific Coast and normally winter in Mexico.
Spotting hummingbirds in Florida
The best way to spot hummingbirds in Florida is to put up feeders or plant native flowers that attract them. Here are some tips:
- Get a nectar feeder – Fill it with a 1:4 ratio of sugar to water. Don’t use food coloring or honey.
- Get flowering plants – Native plants like coral honeysuckle, firebush, and scarlet sage attract hummingbirds.
- Provide insect feeders – Supply fruit flies, gnats, or mealworms as a source of protein.
- Be patient – It may take a few weeks for hummingbirds to find a new feeder.
- Avoid pesticides – Chemicals can be toxic to hummingbirds.
- Place feeders in the shade – Direct sun causes nectar to spoil faster.
Hummingbirds are most active in the early morning and late afternoon as they search for food. Sit quietly near feeders or flowers and watch for the blur of rapidly beating wings.
Interesting facts about hummingbirds
- Their wings beat up to 80 times per second, allowing them to hover and fly backwards.
- They have the fastest metabolism of any animal – a resting heart rate of 500 beats per minute.
- Hummingbirds eat up to twice their body weight in nectar each day and also consume insects for protein.
- Their long, specially adapted tongues allow them to reach nectar at the base of long, tubular flowers.
- Ruby-throated Hummingbirds migrate 500 miles nonstop across the Gulf of Mexico.
- They build tiny nests out of plant down, spider silk, buds, and lichen to cradle their eggs.
- A lack of hummingbirds due to migration inspired the creation of a sugar-water nectar substitute.
Threats and conservation
The major threats facing hummingbirds include:
- Habitat loss due to development
- Pesticide use that reduces insect prey
- Predation by cats
- Collision with buildings and windows
- Climate change disrupting migration and altering bloom cycles
Measures that can help hummingbird conservation include:
- Planting native species to restore habitat
- Avoiding pesticide use
- Keeping pet cats indoors
- Applying decals to windows
- Providing sugar water when flowers are not available
- Supporting habitat corridors during migration
Citizen scientists can also help by reporting hummingbird band encounters to track migration and by participating in projects like the Hummingbird Monitoring Network.
Conclusion
Florida is home to the Ruby-throated Hummingbird year-round and the Rufous Hummingbird during winter months. Several other hummingbird species, like the Allen’s and Buff-bellied, can occasionally be spotted around the state, particularly in western regions. Hummingbirds are special birds that capture the imagination with their speed, agility, color, and migratory feats. Conserving native plants and reducing threats can help maintain Florida’s diverse hummingbird populations into the future.
