Florida is home to a remarkable diversity of hummingbird species. Exact counts vary, but there are approximately 12-15 species regularly seen in the state. The actual number of species present depends on factors like seasonal migration and rare vagrant sightings. With its subtropical climate and abundance of nectar-producing flowers, Florida provides ideal habitat for these tiny, colorful birds.
Year-Round Resident Species
Several hummingbird species can be found in Florida year-round. These birds nest and breed in the state rather than migrating. The main year-round resident species are:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Rufous Hummingbird
- Allen’s Hummingbird
- Buff-bellied Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most widespread and familiar hummingbird in eastern North America. In Florida, it is present statewide in a variety of semi-open habitats. Males have a brilliant red throat, while females are white-throated.
The Rufous Hummingbird is a western species that has expanded its breeding range eastward to Florida in recent decades. It is now a year-round resident in the Florida Panhandle and north Florida. The males are brightly orange-red on the back and belly.
Allen’s Hummingbird is a small western species found year-round in Florida’s Gulf coast region from Pensacola to Tampa. The adult male has a flaming orange throat and reddish tail.
The Buff-bellied Hummingbird is the only species endemic to Florida. As its name suggests, it has a distinctive buff-colored underside. Its breeding range centers on the Gulf coast from Pensacola to the Tampa Bay area.
Seasonal Migrant Species
In addition to year-round residents, several species migrate through or into Florida during spring and fall migration or for the winter:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Rufous Hummingbird
- Black-chinned Hummingbird
- Anna’s Hummingbird
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird
- Calliope Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated and Rufous hummingbirds are both migrant species as well as year-round residents in Florida. In fall and spring, many individuals of these species pass through the state on their way to and from their breeding grounds farther north.
The Black-chinned Hummingbird is a western species that migrates east to Florida for the winter months. It is most often reported along the central Gulf coast and southern Florida from November to April.
Anna’s Hummingbird is a west coast species that sometimes wanders east to Florida during the non-breeding season. It is larger than other migrant hummingbirds, with males showing extensive rose-pink on the head and throat.
The Broad-tailed Hummingbird breeds in the Rocky Mountains and migrates through the western Gulf states, occasionally reaching the Florida Panhandle and north Florida in spring and fall. Males have a high-pitched chipping call and a broad band of iridescent rose on the tail.
Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest breeding hummingbird in the United States. It migrates through the interior western states, rarely straying as far east as the Florida Panhandle during migration.
Vagrant Species
In addition to regular migrants, several western hummingbird species have turned up in Florida as rare and unusual vagrant sightings, including:
- Rivoli’s Hummingbird
- Lucifer Hummingbird
- Anna’s Hummingbird
- Broad-billed Hummingbird
- Violet-crowned Hummingbird
- Blue-throated Hummingbird
- Magnificent Hummingbird
- Bahama Woodstar
Rivoli’s Hummingbird is an ornate Mexican species that has been spotted a handful of times in southwest Florida. Both male and female have strongly white-tipped tails.
Lucifer Hummingbird is normally found in Central America. About 10 sightings have occurred in Florida, mostly along the southeast coast.
Though a regular migrant, Anna’s Hummingbird is still considered a rare vagrant when seen outside its normal migration route in Florida.
The Broad-billed Hummingbird is a Mexican species with a broad red bill. There are about a dozen reports, mostly around Miami.
The colorful Violet-crowned Hummingbird has turned up in the Florida Keys and southernmost Florida on up to about 10 occasions.
Blue-throated Hummingbird is a Mexican highland species with several Florida sightings since the 1990s, primarily in the Keys and Miami area.
Magnificent Hummingbird is appropriately named for its spectacular glittering plumage. It is a rare vagrant with 3-4 documented Florida sightings.
Bahama Woodstar is a small hummingbird endemic to the Bahama Islands. A few individuals have wandered to the Florida Keys.
Rare and Endangered Species
Two of Florida’s hummingbird species are considered endangered or near threatened:
- Red-cockaded Woodpecker
- Florida Prairie Warbler
The Red-cockaded Woodpecker is listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It lives in open mature pine forests in northern Florida. Habitat loss threatens this unique woodpecker.
The Florida Prairie Warbler is considered a near threatened species. These small warblers inhabit dry prairie and palmetto flat habitats that are declining in area.
Ideal Habitats
Hummingbirds occupy diverse habitat types across Florida, but some key ecosystems stand out for their high diversity and concentrations of hummingbirds:
- Citrus groves
- Backyard gardens and feeders
- Scrub and sandhill
- Hammock and pineland
- Mangrove and coastal strands
Citrus groves provide a huge source of nectar for hummingbirds in central and southern Florida where orange, grapefruit, and other citrus trees bloom from spring into early summer. Orioles and other nectar-loving birds also flock to these flowers.
Backyards with showy ornamental flowers and hummingbird feeders commonly attract and concentrate hummers, especially in suburbs and towns. Favorite flowering plants include coral honeysuckle, trumpet vine, salvias, and Turk’s cap.
The scrub and sandhill habitats of the central Florida ridge and Lake Wales ridge harbor specialized flowering plants adapted to dry, sandy soil conditions. Here Buff-bellied Hummingbirds and other southern species thrive.
Pine flatwoods and tropical hardwood hammocks support wildflowers and flowering shrubs attractive to hummingbirds. Mangrove forests and coastal strands also provide habitat.
Seasonal Occurrence
The seasonal cycle of hummingbird activity in Florida reflects both year-round residents and migrants moving through the state:
- Winter – Peak diversity as migrants join winter residents
- Spring – Migration continues through April
- Summer – Least diversity as migrants depart by May
- Fall – Return migration picks up in August
The winter dry season from December to March sees peak hummingbird activity and diversity as migrants arrive from out west to supplement the year-round species. In spring, northbound migrant species pass through Florida in March and April.
By summer, most migrants have departed, leaving only the breeding residents. This is the period of lowest hummingbird diversity. In fall, southbound migrants start arriving in August and September, boosting the diversity again going into winter.
Population Trends
Hummingbird populations naturally fluctuate, but some general trends are apparent:
- Ruby-throated numbers stable
- Rufous and Allen’s increasing
- Buff-bellied declining
Widespread Ruby-throated Hummingbirds appear to have stable populations both locally in Florida and across their continental range.
In contrast, Rufous and Allen’s Hummingbirds are increasing in Florida as these western species expand eastward. Their growing numbers reflect trends across the southeastern U.S.
Buff-bellied Hummingbirds may be declining as development and grove loss impact their specialized scrub habitat. Partners in Flight estimates a population decline of over 50% since 1970. Habitat conservation is crucial for this Florida endemic.
Hummingbird Identification Tips
Identifying hummingbirds can be challenging because of their small size and fleeting visits to feeders and flowers. Here are some helpful tips:
- Learn the common local species first
- Observe key field marks like bill shape, tail pattern, and gorget color
- Listen for distinct vocalizations of some species
- Note differences in size and build
- Watch for behavior like feeding strategies
Focus on learning the typical species before tackling vagrants. Pay attention to key features like the bill shape, tail pattern, any colorful gorgets or crowns, and overall size. For example, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have forked tails and Allen’s Hummingbirds have straight orange bills. Listen too, as Rufous Hummingbirds make a distinct buzzy call.
Photography and banding research have also revealed differences in feeding behaviors. Ruby-throats hover more while other species perch to feed.
Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Backyard
You can invite these tiny dynamos into your yard by meeting four key needs:
- Offering nectar through feeders and flowers
- Planting pollen producers
- Providing small insects
- Supplying water
Hummingbird feeders should be filled with a 4:1 ratio of water to white refined sugar. Place feeders in sheltered spots near trees or shrubs which provide perches between sips. Trumpet vines, lantana, fuchsia, and native honeysuckles will provide natural nectar.
Include salvias, bee balm, columbine, and lobelia to ensure a pollen source. Provide protein too by letting some flowers go to seed or installing a small water feature to attract insects.
Change nectar every 2-3 days, or when it becomes cloudy or fouled. Rinse feeders well with hot water. With a little care and the right habitat, you’ll be enjoying the aerobatics of hummingbirds all season.
Conclusion
Florida’s diverse collection of 12-15 hummingbird species reflects its position straddling temperate and tropical regions. A mix of year-round residents and seasonal migrants find ideal conditions across the state’s many habitats. By landscaping appropriately, citizens can attract and support hummingbird populations, even helping document unusual vagrants. Appreciating these energetic jewels of the bird world is one of Florida’s great natural treasures.
