How do you know if its a hummingbird?

Hummingbirds are some of the smallest and most unique birds found in nature. Their diminutive size, distinctive hovering flight pattern, and ability to fly backwards makes them easy to identify. Here are some key ways to determine if you’ve spotted a hummingbird.

Small Size

The most obvious identifier of a hummingbird is its tiny size. Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world, with most species measuring only 3-5 inches in length. The bee hummingbird, found in Cuba, is the smallest at just 2 inches long. To put that in perspective, a bee hummingbird could comfortably perch on a U.S. penny! So if you see a tiny bird that seems to be all wings, it’s likely a hummingbird.

Long Slender Beak

Hummingbirds have long slender beaks that are perfectly adapted for accessing nectar from flowers. Their beaks are usually quite straight and around the same length as the hummingbird’s head. The beaks are ideal for delving into tubular flowers like honeysuckles or trumpet vines. When feeding, a hummingbird will insert its beak deep into the blossom to sip the sweet nectar inside. So if you notice a small bird with a very long, narrow beak drinking from flowers, chances are it’s a hummingbird.

Fast Fluttering Wings

The wings of hummingbirds are built for speed and precision. Their wings beat up to 70 times per second, allowing them to hover in mid-air and swiftly change direction. The rapid fluttering of their wings produces the signature humming or buzzing sound that gives hummingbirds their name. When flying, the wings are just a fast-moving blur. If you spot a tiny bird that hovers gracefully and has wings beating at a blindingly rapid pace, there’s no doubt it’s a hummingbird.

Iridescent Colors

Many hummingbird species have brilliant, iridescent plumage that glitters and glistens in the sunlight. The most commonly seen species in North America, like the ruby-throated hummingbird, have emerald green backs and reddish-colored throats. Tropical species exhibit even more dazzling colors, including glowing violets, blues, oranges and greens. This coloration comes from specialized feather structures that reflect light. If you notice a small bird with sparkling, vivid plumage, it’s likely a hummingbird.

Aerial Maneuvers

Hummingbirds are incredibly agile flyers. They can fly backwards, upside down, and rapidly change direction mid-air. Their specialized wings allow them to achieve aerial feats that seem to defy physics. They can remain suspended in one spot for extended periods. And they can reach flight speeds of over 30 mph. So if you observe a tiny bird performing acrobatic aerial maneuvers – flying backwards, hanging motionless, darting side-to-side – you can be confident it’s a hummingbird.

Tubular Red Flowers

Hummingbirds are specially adapted to feed on the nectar of tubular red flowers, including cardinal flowers, trumpet vines, bee balms, and others. Their vision is tuned to see the color red better than any other color. And their long beaks and tongues are perfect for accessing the nectar. If you notice a small bird feeding from or hovering around tubular red flowers, it’s most likely a hummingbird.

Lives in the Americas

Hummingbirds are only found naturally in the Americas – South, Central, North America and the Caribbean. So if you spot a tiny, glittering bird with fast-flapping wings in this part of the world, it’s definitely a hummingbird. They do not naturally occur anywhere else on the planet, though a few species have been introduced to other locales.

Visits Feeders Frequently

One of the easiest ways to observe hummingbirds is to set up a feeder filled with nectar (one part sugar to four parts water). Hummingbirds can become reliant on these feeders and visit them frequently throughout the day. If you notice a tiny bird feeding from a feeder that you’ve filled with sugar water, there’s no question it’s a hummingbird. They have a tremendous appetite and dominate feeders to fuel their supercharged metabolisms.

Lack of Song

While hummingbirds may emit chirping sounds, they do not have true songs like many other birds. The sounds they make are simple chirps and squeaks used for communication, not the melodious songs of thrushes, warblers, and finches. Lack ofcomplex vocalizations is another good clue that identifies a bird as a hummingbird.

Extremely High Metabolism

Hummingbirds have the highest metabolism of any vertebrate animal. To power their wings for hovering and feeding, they need huge amounts of calories. Their hearts beat at up to 1,260 beats per minute. So they feed almost constantly on flower nectar and small insects, consuming more than their own body weight each day. No other birds have such extreme metabolic needs. Constant foraging is a definitive sign of a hummingbird’s intense nutritional demands.

Identifying Specific Species

Once you’ve established that you are looking at a hummingbird, the next step is identifying the specific species. Here are some features to note:

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

• Found in eastern North America
• Males have a bright metallic red throat
• Females lack red throat patch
• Both genders have green backs and white bellies

Anna’s Hummingbird

• Native to west coast of North America
• Males have bright magenta throat feathers
• Females have grey undersides and green backs
• Both genders have a small red spot on top of head

Rufous Hummingbird

• Breeds in northwestern North America
• Males have a vivid reddish-orange throat patch
• Females have green backs and white bellies with some orange on throat
• Both genders have beautiful reddish plume over their tail

Allen’s Hummingbird

• Native to coastal California
• Males have reddish-orange throat feathers
• Females have green backs and grey undersides with hints of orange on throat
• Both sexes have round heads and short black tails

With over 300 species, hummingbirds display an incredible array of plumages, from metallic blues and greens to radiant violets. Learning key identification features takes some practice but is fun and rewarding.

Key Behavioral Traits

Hummingbirds share many common behavioral traits that can help confirm their identity when birding:

Conclusion

In summary, hummingbirds can be identified by their diminutive size, slender pointed beaks, rapid wing beats, aerial agility, feeding behaviors, lack of complex songs, and association with tubular flowers. Once you learn their unique features, it’s easy to recognize these energetic, fascinating birds!