South Carolina is home to a wonderful diversity of hummingbird species. These tiny, energetic birds are a joy to observe as they dart from flower to flower sipping nectar. Hummingbirds are attracted to tubular flowers and artificial nectar feeders, providing easy viewing opportunities. South Carolina’s mild climate and abundance of flowering plants make it an ideal environment for several species of hummingbirds.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The ruby-throated hummingbird is the most common and widespread hummingbird species found in South Carolina. This hummingbird gets its name from the vibrant ruby-red throat patch found on the males. Ruby-throats have metallic green upperparts and grayish white underparts. The females lack the ruby throat and are more dull colored, with a pale throat.[1] Ruby-throated hummingbirds are found throughout South Carolina from March through October before migrating further south for winter.[2] They are a summer breeding resident in the state.
Rufous Hummingbird
The rufous hummingbird is an uncommon visitor to South Carolina, mainly during spring and fall migrations. As their name suggests, rufous hummers have more rufous or reddish-brown plumage than other hummingbirds. The males are especially striking with their bright orange throats. The females and juveniles are greener overall with small throat patches. Rufous hummingbirds breed in northwest North America and migrate remarkably long distances. They occasionally get blown off course into the southeastern United States during migration.[3]
Black-chinned Hummingbird
The black-chinned hummingbird is another western species that occasionally wanders into South Carolina, predominantly in the fall and winter months. As their name indicates, these hummingbirds have a distinct black chin and throat with an iridescent purple patch below it. The upperparts are bronze-green and the underparts are white with greenish sides. Black-chinned hummingbirds breed in western North America and are extremely rare in South Carolina.[4]
Calliope Hummingbird
Calliope hummingbirds are North America’s smallest breeding hummingbird and an exceptionally rare vagrant in South Carolina. They have bright magenta-colored throat feathers called a gorget. Their upperparts are bronze-green and underparts white. Breeding occurs across the mountainous west and they occasionally stray to the Southeast during migration. There are fewer than 10 records for South Carolina.[5]
Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s hummingbirds are medium-sized hummingbirds named after a 19th-century duchess. The males have iridescent rose-red throats and crowns. The upperparts are green and underparts grayish white. Females have green crowns and lack the red throat, making them similar to female ruby-throats. Anna’s hummingbirds are rare winter visitors along the South Carolina coast, straying east from their normal southwestern range.[6]
Allen’s Hummingbird
Allen’s hummingbirds are tiny, short-tailed hummingbirds that breed along the Pacific Coast. The males are emerald green above with rufous sides, an orange throat, and a rufous tail. Females are similar with a green back, rufous sides, and flecked throat. Allen’s are accidental in South Carolina, with fewer than 5 records.[7] Their small size and short tails help distinguish them from the similar rufous hummingbird.
Buff-bellied Hummingbird
As their name suggests, buff-bellied hummingbirds have distinctive buff or cinnamon-colored underparts. Their throats are a bright iridescent emerald or blue. Males have purple crowns while females have green crowns. Their range is centered across Texas and Mexico. Buff-bellied hummingbirds rarely stray to South Carolina but have been documented on a few occasions.[8]
Broad-billed Hummingbird
Broad-billed hummingbirds live up to their name with remarkably wide bills adapted for feeding on agave flowers. The males are metallic green above with blue throats, black tails, and cinnamon underparts. Females are similar but lack the blue throat. This Mexican species is a rare vagrant to South Carolina, mostly along the coast during fall and winter.[9]
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
As their name indicates, broad-tailed hummingbirds have uniquely wide, rounded tail tips. Breeding males are unmistakable with their bright pink throats, green backs, and crisp white underparts. Females and young birds are duller with a pale throat and more white spotting below. A western species, broad-tailed hummingbirds are accidental in South Carolina.[10]
Blue-throated Hummingbird
Blue-throated hummingbirds are named for the males’ spectacular bright blue throats. Their backs are golden green and undersides are white. Females lack the blue throat and are more greenish overall. Blue-throated hummingbirds are an inland Mexico species that has wandered to South Carolina on extremely rare occasions.[11]
Violet-crowned Hummingbird
True to their name, male violet-crowned hummingbirds have a distinctive violet crown which can appear black in certain lights. Their throats are also violet, with emerald green backs and white underparts. Females lack the violet crown and have white-spotted throats. Violet-crowneds breed in Mexico and the Southwest. They would be an exceptionally rare vagrant to South Carolina.[12]
Conclusion
In summary, South Carolina hosts one breeding resident species – the ruby-throated hummingbird – along with several western and southwestern vagrants that occasionally wander off course into the state during migration. Most of these vagrant species have only been documented on fewer than 5 occasions. In total, 12 hummingbird species have been recorded in South Carolina. With observer interest and hobbyist feeders widespread in the state, additional species may show up in the future as exceptionally rare wanderers into South Carolina.
| Species | Breeding Status | Seasonal Occurrence |
|---|---|---|
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Summer resident | March to October |
| Rufous Hummingbird | Vagrant | Migration |
| Black-chinned Hummingbird | Vagrant | Fall and winter |
| Calliope Hummingbird | Vagrant | Migration |
| Anna’s Hummingbird | Vagrant | Winter |
| Allen’s Hummingbird | Vagrant | Variable |
| Buff-bellied Hummingbird | Vagrant | Variable |
| Broad-billed Hummingbird | Vagrant | Fall and winter |
| Broad-tailed Hummingbird | Vagrant | Variable |
| Blue-throated Hummingbird | Vagrant | Variable |
| Violet-crowned Hummingbird | Hypothetical vagrant | Unknown |
References
- All About Birds. Ruby-throated Hummingbird Overview. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ruby-throated_Hummingbird
- South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Ruby-throated Hummingbird. https://www.dnr.sc.gov/cwcs/pdf/Ruby-throatedHummingbird.pdf
- All About Birds. Rufous Hummingbird Overview. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Rufous_Hummingbird
- All About Birds. Black-chinned Hummingbird Overview. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-chinned_Hummingbird
- eBird. Calliope Hummingbird in South Carolina. https://ebird.org/map/calhum3?neg=true&env.minX=&env.minY=&env.maxX=&env.maxY=&zh=false&gp=false&ev=Z&mr=1-12&bmo=1&emo=12&yr=all&byr=1900&eyr=2023
- All About Birds. Anna’s Hummingbird Overview. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Annas_Hummingbird
- eBird. Allen’s Hummingbird in South Carolina. https://ebird.org/map/alshum?neg=true&env.minX=&env.minY=&env.maxX=&env.maxY=&zh=false&gp=false&ev=Z&mr=1-12&bmo=1&emo=12&yr=all&byr=1900&eyr=2023
- South Carolina Bird Records Committee. Buff-bellied Hummingbird report. https://www.carolinabirdclub.org/brc/accounts/Buff-bellied_Hummingbird/Buff-bellied_Hummingbird.html
- All About Birds. Broad-billed Hummingbird Overview. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Broad-billed_Hummingbird
- All About Birds. Broad-tailed Hummingbird Overview. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Broad-tailed_Hummingbird
- eBird. Blue-throated Hummingbird in South Carolina. https://ebird.org/map/blthum?neg=true&env.minX=&env.minY=&env.maxX=&env.maxY=&zh=false&gp=false&ev=Z&mr=1-12&bmo=1&emo=12&yr=all&byr=1900&eyr=2023
- All About Birds. Violet-crowned Hummingbird Overview. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Violet-crowned_Hummingbird
