Sierra Vista, Arizona is often referred to as the “Hummingbird Capital of the United States” due to the high number of hummingbird species that can be found in the area. But does Sierra Vista truly deserve this title? Let’s take a closer look at the facts.
How many hummingbird species live in Sierra Vista?
There are over 330 species of hummingbirds in the world, the majority of which live in Central and South America. In the United States, there are 17 regular hummingbird species. Of these 17 species, 12 have been recorded in Sierra Vista:
- Anna’s Hummingbird
- Black-chinned Hummingbird
- Blue-throated Hummingbird
- Broad-billed Hummingbird
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird
- Calliope Hummingbird
- Costa’s Hummingbird
- Lucifer Hummingbird
- Magnificent Hummingbird
- Rufous Hummingbird
- Violet-crowned Hummingbird
- White-eared Hummingbird
This diversity is due to Sierra Vista’s location at the intersection of the Rocky Mountains, Sierra Madre, and Sonoran desert, providing suitable habitat for species from each region. The Riparian Preserve at the heart of Sierra Vista contains a network of trails passing through cottonwood and willow trees along the San Pedro River, which attracts many hummingbirds to its water source and flowers.
How does this compare to other top hummingbird spots?
Southeastern Arizona overall is well-known among birders for its hummingbird diversity. Other top spots include:
- Ramsey Canyon Preserve – 10 recorded species
- Madera Canyon – 12 recorded species
- Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve – 11 recorded species
- Portal, AZ – 10 recorded species
So while other renowned hummingbird havens in Arizona may have comparable numbers of species, Sierra Vista matches or exceeds all of them with its 12 recorded species.
When do hummingbirds appear in Sierra Vista?
The timing and abundance of hummingbirds in Sierra Vista depends on the species:
| Species | Spring Migration Period | Fall Migration Period | Abundance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anna’s Hummingbird | September – Mid-October | April – early May | Common year-round |
| Black-chinned Hummingbird | Mid-March – mid-May | July – September | Very common |
| Blue-throated Hummingbird | Early April – early May | Mid-September – early October | Uncommon |
| Broad-billed Hummingbird | Early April – late April | Early September – late September | Common |
As the table shows, the most abundant hummingbird species like Black-chinned and Anna’s take up residence in Sierra Vista for much of the year, while rarer species like Blue-throated pass through during short migration windows. This means prime hummingbird watching seasons in Sierra Vista are April-May and August-September when diversity peaks.
What plants and flowers attract hummingbirds in Sierra Vista?
To fuel their high metabolisms, hummingbirds rely on nectar from colorful tubular flowers. Some plants that attract hummingbirds in Sierra Vista gardens and wildlife areas include:
- Sage
- Penstemon
- Columbine
- Trumpet vine
- Indian paintbrush
- Firecracker plant
- Desert honeysuckle
- Aloe
- Coral vine
- Cane cholla cactus
Providing a mix of these hummingbird-friendly native plants, along with artificial feeders, is the best way to increase hummingbird traffic in your Sierra Vista yard.
Best places to observe hummingbirds in Sierra Vista
The top hotspots to see hummingbirds in Sierra Vista are:
- San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area – Extensive trails and gardens along the river attract all 12 species.
- Ramsey Canyon Preserve – Well-known among birders for its scenic canyon trails.
- Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park – Urban gardens and walking paths adjacent to the San Pedro River.
- Coronado National Memorial – Hiking trails through pine-oak woodlands rising into the Huachuca Mountains.
- Garden Canyon – Lush creekside habitat on Fort Huachuca military base.
Visit these areas in spring and fall and you’re almost guaranteed to spot multiple hummingbird species darting around flowering plants and feeders!
Interesting hummingbird facts
Here are some cool facts about our tiny whirring friends:
- Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world. The smallest species, the Bee Hummingbird, weighs only 2 grams.
- They have incredibly fast heart rates up to 1,260 beats per minute while flying.
- Hummingbirds can flap their wings up to 80 times per second, allowing them to hover in place and even fly backwards.
- They consume half their weight in nectar daily and visit hundreds of flowers each day.
- To conserve energy at night, they go into a deep sleep-like state called torpor.
- Hummingbirds are only found naturally in the Americas.
- Their long, specially-adapted tongues can lap up nectar at a rate of 13-17 times per second!
- These colorful tiny birds have excellent memories – they can remember every flower they visit and won’t revisit ones that don’t have nectar.
Threats facing hummingbirds
Though resilient, hummingbirds still face a number of threats to their populations:
- Habitat loss from development destroys native flowering plants they depend on.
- Pesticides and insecticides reduce insect populations that hummingbirds rely on for food.
- Outdoor cats kill millions of hummingbirds every year.
- Climate change disrupts flowering schedules and migration patterns.
- Nest parasitism from cowbirds can reduce hummingbird reproductive success.
Protecting pockets of habitat like Sierra Vista and reducing pesticide usage are key to ensuring hummingbird species remain healthy.
Conclusion
With its diversity of habitats along the San Pedro River, Sierra Vista is an undisputed hotspot, hosting 12 of the 17 regular hummingbird species found in the United States. The sheer number of hummingbirds buzzing around parks, canyons, and gardens in spring and fall validates Sierra Vista’s nickname as the “Hummingbird Capital of the U.S.” So for phenomenal hummingbird watching, be sure to add Sierra Vista to your must-visit list!
