How can you tell the difference between hummingbirds?

Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating birds on the planet. With over 300 different species, hummingbirds display an incredible diversity in color, behavior, habitat, and more. But with so many types of hummingbirds, how can you tell them apart? Identifying hummingbirds takes a sharp eye and a little know-how about what makes each species unique. Paying attention to details like bill shape, tail features, body size, feather colors, range maps, behavior, and habitat can help you correctly ID these energetic little birds. Whether you’re a novice birder or a seasoned expert, learning hummingbird identification skills takes time and practice. This guide will walk you through the key identification features, tips, and tricks to tell the difference between the most common hummingbird species found in North America.

Look at the Bill Shape and Length

One of the best initial clues for hummingbird identification is the size and shape of the bill. A hummingbird’s bill is perfectly adapted for accessing nectar, the primary food source for these speedy little birds. Bill length and curvature can indicate what types of flowers a hummingbird is physiologically adapted to feed from. For example, long straight bills are efficient at drinking from long tubular flowers. Shorter more curved bills allow access to wider blooms. Pay attention to the following bill differences:

• Long, straight bills – Magnificent, Blue-throated, Broad-tailed, Violet-crowned Hummingbirds
• Very short, slightly downcurved bills – Calliope, Broad-billed Hummingbirds
• Medium length, straight bills – Ruby-throated, Black-chinned, Anna’s Hummingbirds
• Long, strongly curved bills – Sicklebill Hummingbird
• Very long, slightly curved bills – Hummingbird Hawk-moth

In addition to length and curvature, look at thickness and coloration. Thicker bills typically indicate more dominant and territorial hummingbird species. Bills come in a variety of colors including black, orange, yellow, pink, or a mix of these colors. Use bill specifics along with other clues when making an ID.

Consider Overall Body Size and Shape

The overall body size and proportions of a hummingbird can provide valuable clues to the species. Hummingbird species range dramatically in total length from the tiny 2 3⁄4 inch Bee Hummingbird up to the 8-inch Giant Hummingbird. Size categories include:

• Very small (under 3 inches) – Calliope Hummingbird, Bee Hummingbird
• Small (3-4 inches) – Ruby-throated, Black-chinned, Lucifer Hummingbirds
• Medium (4-5 inches) – Anna’s, Costa’s, Broad-tailed Hummingbirds
• Large (5-6 inches)- Blue-throated, Magnificent, Violet-crowned Hummingbirds
• Very large (over 6 inches) – Giant Hummingbird

Look also at the relative proportions of the body, wings, tail, and bill. For example Rufous Hummingbirds have especially long wings in proportion to their compact bodies. Allen’s and Calliope Hummingbirds have shorter tails relative to their body length compared to other species.

Examine the Color Patterns

Iridescent plumage in vibrant metallic greens, blues, violets, and reds make hummingbird feathers shine. While male hummingbirds tend to have the more flashy feather colors, females also display complex color patterns on their throats, crowns, tails, and bellies. The most common body color patterns to note include:

• Bright red crown and throat – Ruby-throated Hummingbird
• Red-orange iridescence on throat – Allen’s, Rufous, Broad-tailed Hummingbirds
• Violet-blue throat patch – Black-chinned Hummingbird
• Emerald green back and crown – Broad-billed Hummingbird
• White spot behind eye – Calliope Hummingbird
• Bold rufous sides – Anna’s Hummingbird
• Blue tail with white tips – Broad-tailed Hummingbird

Keep in mind that hummingbird colors can look different depending on the light. The same bird may flash purple, green, and bronze as it moves. Watching how the colors shift in different angles can help point towards a species.

Listen for Distinctive Sounds

Many hummingbirds make distinctive sounds with their voices and the rapid beating of their wings. Here are some species-specific hummingbird sounds to listen for:

• Chipping or squeaking sounds – Allen’s, Calliope Hummingbirds
• High-pitched twitter calls – Broad-tailed, Rufous Hummingbirds
• Whining wing sounds during display dives – Anna’s Hummingbird
• Buzzing wing trill during courtship – Costa’s Hummingbird
• Sharp chip notes – Ruby-throated Hummingbird
• Rattling wings – Rufous Hummingbird

Vocalizing primarily happens during breeding behaviors. But wing trills and whistles can happen anytime a male is displaying. Listen for these audible clues when a visual ID is tricky.

Consider Behavior and Flight Styles

Observing a hummingbird’s behavior, especially during breeding season, can provide helpful identification clues through actions like:

• Courting flight displays
• Chasing or aggression towards other birds
• Vocalizing
• Hovering at flowers
• Defending territory
• Interactions at feeders

Pay attention to flight patterns as well. For example, Allen’s Hummingbirds perform quick back-and-forth U-shaped flight displays. Rufous Hummingbirds are known for their dramatic pendulum display flights. And male Anna’s Hummingbirds climb 60-100 feet in the air before diving straight down while making loud wing whistles. Seeing these behaviors in action can help confirm the identification.

Consider Geographic Range and Habitat

Hummingbirds have specific migration patterns and preferred habitats and elevation ranges. Identifying which species occur in your region at a given time of year makes the process easier. Use a range map or guide book showing migration dates and regions to narrow down the possibilities based on location. Then look for habitat preferences like:

• Forests – Ruby-throated, and Rufous Hummingbirds
• Backyards – Anna’s, Costa’s Hummingbirds
• Deserts – Black-chinned, Costa’s Hummingbirds
• High mountain meadows – Calliope Hummingbird
• Scrublands – Broad-billed Hummingbird
• Tropics – White-necked Jacobin Hummingbird

Knowing where to expect certain species based on range, migration timing, habitat, and behaviors will help you identify the hummingbirds in your area.

Use a Field Guide

A good field guide or mobile app can help you compare and contrast details during the identification process. Look for guides with updated range maps, male and female illustrations, tips on behaviors, clear identification guidance, and information on similar looking species. Pair a field guide with binoculars and these other tips to positively identify tricky hummingbirds.

Some recommended field guides include:

• National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America
• Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America
• Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America
• Sibley Field Guide to Birds of North America

Practice with Photos and in the Field

Studying high quality photos of different hummingbird species is a great way to train your eye. Websites like the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Audubon provide photo galleries you can scroll through to get familiar with plumage variations, bill shapes, wing and tail features, and more. Looking at photos removes the complicating factor of movement making it easier to see subtle identification clues.

But you’ll gain identification skills fastest by looking at live hummingbirds in the field. Find areas where hummingbirds congregate like gardens, meadows, feeders, and anywhere with natural flowers. Watch them move through different light angles and positions to see all their key features. Over time, you’ll develop quick pattern recognition and an eye for the small details that set each species apart.

Use Identification Charts and Tables

Reference charts and tables provide helpful snapshots of key identification traits for each hummingbird species. They condense the key size measurements, colors, behaviors, range maps, and features into an easy-to-scan visual format. Print a chart to carry with you and highlight or circle the species you see. With practice, you’ll rely on them less and less as your memory improves. Here are some example traits comparison charts:

Consult these simplified charts when identifying hummingbirds in the field to jog your memory on key details. With practice, connecting a bird to a species will become a much quicker mental process.

Use Clue Combinations

Accurately identifying hummingbirds often requires piecing together multiple clues. For example, a small hummingbird with a short bill, white spot behind the eye, and high-pitched squeaking calls is likely a Calliope Hummingbird. Combining 2-3 visual clues with behavior notes and location details results in more definitive identifications. Do not rely on just one field mark alone. Build a case using multiple clues in tandem before positively ID’ing difficult birds.

Take Photos for Review

Photos provide invaluable documentation of new hummingbirds you encounter. Try to get clear photos showing the entire body, close-ups of key field marks, and even behavioral shots. Reviewing and examining your own photos after an observation session can clarify details you may have missed in the moment. Photos also allow you to get expert feedback and confirmation on the community forums at sites like eBird, iNaturalist, and Facebook birding groups.

Practice, Practice, Practice!

There are many tiny intricacies separating hummingbird species, and it takes time to learn them. Be patient with yourself as you build your hummingbird ID skills. With regular time spent observing, studying photographs, and consulting resources, you will get better at recognizing different hummingbirds. Pay special attention when a new hummingbird visits your feeder or garden since seeing unfamiliar species side-by-side fosters helpful comparison. Enjoy the process of sharpening your identification abilities.

Conclusion

While telling the difference between many hummingbird species can be challenging, a mix of visual clues, sounds, behaviors, range knowledge, resources, and practice will have you identifying hummingbirds with greater ease and accuracy. Pay special attention to bill shape, plumage colors, body proportions, behaviors like courtship displays, as well as range maps and habitat preferences. Consult field guides and online photo galleries to hone your birding skills. And spend as much time observing hummingbirds in the field as possible. With commitment and experience, you’ll be able to tell a Ruby-throated from a Rufous or Rufous from an Anna’s in no time. Understanding these energetic and impressive birds starts with mastering the array of identification techniques to distinguish the many species. This guide outlined the key tips and tricks experts use to confidently tell hummingbirds apart. Now grab your binoculars and get ready to enjoy hummingbird watching!