There are around 20 species of hummingbirds found in the United States. Hummingbirds are some of the smallest and most colorful birds, known for their rapid wing beats and ability to hover in midair as they feed on nectar from flowers. They are found across diverse habitats from forests to deserts to backyard gardens. Understanding the diversity of hummingbird species in the US can help people appreciate these unique birds and support their conservation.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most widespread and commonly seen hummingbird in the eastern United States. As the name suggests, the adult male has a brilliant red throat which can appear black in certain lights. The female lacks the red throat and is greener overall. Ruby-throats breed in the Eastern temperate forests and Canadian boreal forests. They migrate south to Mexico and Central America for the winter. Backyard birders can attract these hummingbirds to their gardens using feeders and native plants.
Rufous Hummingbird
The Rufous Hummingbird has bright orange plumage on its back, sides and belly in the males. Females are green on the back with some rufous coloring on the sides. They breed primarily in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska during summer before migrating remarkably long distances to Mexico for winter. Some vagrants may reach as far east as the Gulf Coast during migration. Rufous Hummingbirds are feisty and aggressively defend flowering plants and feeders.
Allen’s Hummingbird
Allen’s Hummingbirds are green on the back with rufous coloring on the face, sides and tail. The male has an orange throat while the female’s throat is speckled. They breed along coastal California and southern Oregon before migrating short distances inland to Mexico for winter. Their range barely enters Arizona at the limit of their migration. Allen’s are adaptable to urban areas and may be found in parks or gardens with adequate flowers or feeders.
Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbird has green upperparts and gray underparts with rose pink markings on the throat, head and tail. The male has an iridescent red crown and throat. They are year-round residents along the Pacific Coast from British Columbia to Baja California. Some populations have expanded inland to Arizona and New Mexico as ornamental plants provide more year-round food sources. Anna’s are aggressive at feeders and may stab intruders with their sharp bills.
Black-chinned Hummingbird
The Black-chinned Hummingbird is green above with a dark, forked tail. The male has a stunning purple throat with a thin black line below. Females have a pale throat with fine black streaks. They breed in mountain meadows and canyon streamsides across western North America before migrating to Mexico for winter. In spring, they stop in southwest gardens and parks before continuing north. Black-chinned Hummingbirds hover quietly at flowers and feeders.
Calliope Hummingbird
At just 3 inches long, the Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest breeding bird in North America. Males are bright with iridescent throats that shift between magenta and purple depending on lighting. Females lack iridescence and are more washed out in color. They breed at high elevations and mountain meadows across the western United States and Canada before migrating to Mexico for winter. They are best identified by their very small size and streaked throats.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
The Broad-tailed Hummingbird lives up to its name with a distinctive broad, rounded tail. Males have a bright pink throat and forehead during breeding plumage. Females have a pale throat with a faint dark speckled pattern. They breed in mountain meadows and forests of the Rocky Mountains and intermountain west at elevations up to 12,000 feet. They migrate short distances to the Mexican highlands for winter. Broad-tailed Hummingbirds make a loud metallic “peent” call while flying.
Other Species
A few additional hummingbird species may be found rarely or as vagrants in parts of the United States, especially along the Gulf Coast, southern Arizona, or southern Florida where tropical species stray:
– Buff-bellied Hummingbird – rare winter vagrant in Texas
– White-eared Hummingbird – rare vagrant, mainly southeast Arizona
– Berylline Hummingbird – rare vagrant, mainly southeast Arizona
– Violet-crowned Hummingbird – rare vagrant, mainly southern Arizona
– Magnificent Hummingbird – rare vagrant, mainly southern Arizona
Range and Population
The range and population size of hummingbirds can vary greatly by species. Some like the Ruby-throated are widespread and number in the millions while rarer species may only have a few hundred individuals in the US at the limits of their range. Here is an overview of the approximate breeding ranges and estimated populations of common hummingbird species:
| Species | Breeding Range | Estimated Population |
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Eastern US and Canada | 12 million |
| Rufous Hummingbird | Pacific Northwest, Western Canada | 3.5 million |
| Allen’s Hummingbird | Coastal California and Oregon | 140,000 |
| Anna’s Hummingbird | Pacific Coast | 1.5 million |
| Black-chinned Hummingbird | Western North America | 5.5 million |
| Calliope Hummingbird | Mountain West | 330,000 |
| Broad-tailed Hummingbird | Rocky Mountains and Southwest | 4.5 million |
Migration
One of the most fascinating aspects of hummingbirds is their remarkable long-distance migration each year between breeding and wintering grounds. Here are some key facts about hummingbird migration:
– Ruby-throated Hummingbirds may migrate over 2,000 miles between Canada and Central America.
– Rufous Hummingbirds make one of the longest migration routes, up to 3,000 miles between Alaska and Mexico.
– Hummingbirds migrate alone, not in flocks like many songbirds.
– They can fly up to 25 mph for long distances, flapping their wings up to 70 times per second.
– Some hummingbirds fly nonstop over the Gulf of Mexico, a 500+ mile journey.
– They double their body weight before migration to store fat reserves that fuel their journey.
– Hummingbirds navigate using the earth’s magnetic fields, visual landmarks, and star positions.
– They time their migration to coincide with peak flower blooming across regions.
Habitat and Diet
Hummingbirds are found in diverse habitats across North America that provide adequate food sources. Here is a summary of hummingbird habitat requirements and diet:
– Hummingbirds feed on flower nectar as their main energy source, particularly red tubular flowers adapted specifically to hummingbird pollination.
– They prefer habitats with diverse flowering plants like meadows, forest edges, gardens, and parks.
– Hummingbirds also eat small insects and spiders to obtain key proteins.
– Some species are associated strongly with certain habitat types, like Broad-tailed Hummingbirds in high mountain meadows.
– Hummingbird-pollinated plants tend to have red, tubular flowers with no scent, containing dilute nectar.
– Favorite nectar sources include lilies, penstemons, paintbrushes, columbines, mints, and sages.
– Many tropical and ornamental plants also provide important nectar, expanding their habitat range.
Behavior and Life Cycle
Hummingbirds display some unique behaviors and an interesting life cycle adapted to their small size and high-energy lifestyle:
– They can hover in place by rapidly flapping wings to feed on flowers.
– Males perform elaborate aerial courtship displays to impress females.
– They build tiny cup nests out of plant down, lichen, and spider webs on branches.
– Their eggs are the size of a jellybean – the smallest bird eggs relative to body size.
– Babies hatch after a 2 week incubation and fledge in 3-4 weeks, the fastest development of any birds.
– Hummingbirds live an average of 3-5 years but the oldest recorded lived 12 years.
– They enter a hibernation-like state called torpor at night to conserve energy.
– Their hearts can beat up to 1,200 times per minute and they take about 250 breaths per minute while active.
Conservation Status
Most hummingbird species in the US remain widespread and abundant, but habitat loss along migratory routes and wintering grounds poses a threat. Here is a summary of conservation status:
– Rufous and Allen’s Hummingbirds have suffered declines likely due to loss of breeding habitat.
– Broad-tailed, Black-chinned, Calliope, Ruby-throat and Anna’s are still common and stable.
– Providing nectar feeders and native plant gardens can help supplement food resources.
– Preventing window collisions with UV-reflective tape helps reduce mortality.
– Allowing dead trees and brush to remain provides nesting sites.
– Pesticide use should be minimized in key habitat, and flowering weeds left intact.
– Monitoring and protecting migratory stopover sites is also critical for hummingbird conservation.
Conclusion
In summary, there are around 20 species of hummingbirds found across diverse habitats in the United States. These include widespread, abundant species like the Ruby-throated and Rufous Hummingbirds, less common species like Allen’s and Anna’s Hummingbirds of the west coast, and small mountain specialists like the Calliope Hummingbird. Hummingbirds migrate incredible distances using unique physiological adaptations. They play important roles as pollinators in natural ecosystems. Providing habitat through native plants, reducing collisions, and protecting migratory habitat can help maintain vibrant hummingbird populations into the future. Their diversity, resilience, and remarkable behaviors make hummingbirds fascinating birds to study and enjoy.
