Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating birds in the world. Their ability to hover mid-air and fly backwards sets them apart from other birds. There are over 300 different species of hummingbirds that inhabit diverse regions from Alaska to Chile. Hummingbirds are found only in the Americas.
These tiny birds belong to the family Trochilidae. They are the smallest birds in the world and the smallest of all warm-blooded vertebrates. The smallest hummingbird is the Cuban bee hummingbird which is just over 2 inches long and weighs less than 2 grams.
Hummingbirds survive primarily on nectar from flowers. They have long slender beaks that are adapted for reaching into flowers to drink nectar. Their diet also includes small insects and spiders which provide them with protein. A hummingbird’s fast metabolism requires them to consume up to their entire body weight in nectar each day.
Many hummingbird species are known for their beautiful and vibrant plumage. The coloration helps attract mating partners. Some key features that distinguish the different types of hummingbirds include:
- Bill shape and length
- Color patterns
- Tail shapes
- Body size
- Habitats
- Behavioral traits
Here is an overview of some of the major groups and species of hummingbirds found in the Americas:
Bee Hummingbirds
Bee hummingbirds are the smallest species of hummingbirds. As mentioned earlier, the Cuban bee hummingbird is the tiniest bird in the world. Bee hummingbirds are mostly found in Cuba, the Isle of Youth, and the Cayman Islands.
Some key features of bee hummingbirds:
- Length ranges from 2 to 2.5 inches
- Weigh less than 2 grams
- Very short beaks
- Tiny but colorful plumage
- Fastest wingbeat of all hummingbirds
Species
- Cuban bee hummingbird
- Vervain hummingbird
Mountain Gems
Mountain gem hummingbirds are found across mountainous regions of Mexico, Central America, and the Andes Mountains in South America. They thrive at high elevations.
Some features of mountain gems:
- Small to medium size
- Compact bodies
- Bright plumage
- Mostly green, blue, or purple iridescent coloring
- Adapted to colder climates of mountains
Species
- Blue-throated mountain-gem
- Amethyst-throated mountain-gem
- Garnet-throated hummingbird
- Shining Sunbeam
Patagona Hummingbirds
Patagona hummingbirds are the largest hummingbird species. They are found primarily in South America in Chile and Argentina. Their name comes from the Patagonia region.
Distinctive features:
- Length of 4.7 – 5.9 inches
- More than 3 times larger than bee hummingbird
- Long thick bills
- Forked tails
- Green, gray, and buff coloring
- Slower flapping of wings compared to other hummingbirds
Species
- Giant hummingbird
- Great Sapphirewing
Emeralds
Emerald hummingbirds are found in tropical Central and South America. They get their name from their vibrant green plumage.
Features:
- Predominantly green plumage
- Some species have colorful crowns or throats
- Forked or pointed tail shape
- Medium sized with length of 2.5 – 4 inches
Species
- Fork-tailed emerald
- Rufous-tailed hummingbird
- Azure-crowned hummingbird
Hermits
Hermit hummingbirds live isolated lives compared to other social hummingbird species. They are found in Mexico, Central America, and northern South America.
Distinctive characteristics:
- Solitary behavior
- Duller plumage
- Squarish or rounded tails
- Smaller bills adapted for feeding on flowers with short corollas
Species
- Green hermit
- Long-billed hermit
- Brown Violetear
Bees
Bee hummingbirds get their name from their bee-like buzzing sounds. They are mostly found in North America.
Features:
- Produce loud buzzing sounds with wings
- Smaller rounded heads
- Very short wings
- Prefer higher altitude mountain areas
- Green or brown coloring
Species
- Bumblebee Hummingbird
- Black-chinned hummingbird
- Ruby-throated hummingbird
Coquettes
Coquette hummingbirds are found in Central and South America. They get their name from their elaborate courtship dances.
Key features:
- Brightly colored plumage
- Elongated head feathers
- Complex courtship displays
- Tiny size – one of smallest species
- Fast and agile flight
Species
- Golden-tailed sapphire
- Booted racket-tail
- Black-tailed trainbearer
Brilliants
Brilliant hummingbirds live in northern South America. As the name suggests, they have vibrant iridescent plumage.
Characteristics:
- Medium to large size
- Long bills adapted for certain flower shapes
- Striking green, purple and blue plumage
- Found at lower elevations
Species
- Gould’s jewelfront
- Fawn-breasted brilliant
- Green-tailed trainbearer
Mangoes
Mango hummingbirds are found in tropical areas from Mexico to South America. They get their name from their bright mango-colored plumage.
Features:
- Medium sized
- Long slender bills
- Mango, orange or reddish plumage
- Fast, acrobatic flight
Species
- Veraguan mango
- Green mango
- Juan Fernandez firecrown
Sheartails
Sheartail hummingbirds live in South America. They get their name from their unique forked tail shape.
Characteristics:
- Short stout bodies
- Very short tails with forked tips
- Dull brown, white, or grey plumage
- Small size
Species
- Great-billed hermit
- Straight-billed hermit
- Red-tailed comet
Topazes
Topaz hummingbirds live in the northern Andes mountains in South America at high elevations.
Characteristics:
- Medium size
- Metallic bronzy-green, golden or reddish plumage
- Adapted for cold mountain conditions
- Aggressive territorial behavior
Species
- Fiery topaz
- Golden-bellied starfrontlet
- Amethyst-throated sunangel
Woodstars
Woodstars are tiny hummingbirds found mainly in South America and the Andes mountains.
Features:
- One of the smallest species
- Very short wings and tails
- Tiny black bills
- Iridescent plumage in blues, greens and purples
- Specialize in feeding on small flowers
Species
- Purple-throated woodstar
- Blue-throated goldentail
- Ruby-topaz hummingbird
Summary
There are over 300 different species of hummingbirds in the Americas that have adapted to diverse environments from mountains to tropical rainforests. While they vary greatly in size, plumage, tail shapes and behavioral traits, they all share common traits like the ability to hover and specialized beaks for feeding on nectar.
Some of the major groups described in this article include:
- Bee hummingbirds – world’s smallest bird species
- Mountain gems – found at high elevations
- Patagona hummingbirds – largest hummingbird species
- Emeralds – known for bright green plumage
- Hermits – solitary species
- Bees – named for buzzing sound of wings
- Coquettes – elaborate courtship displays
- Brilliants – vibrant, iridescent plumage
- Mangoes – brightly colored orange species
- Sheartails – distinctive forked tail shape
- Topazes – adapted to cold mountain climates
- Woodstars – extremely tiny size
Hummingbirds fill an important niche in ecosystems across the Americas as pollinators for flowers. Their unique adaptations allow them to thrive in diverse environments. Learning to identify the different types of hummingbirds found in the Americas provides a fascinating window into evolution and biodiversity.
References
- Williamson, Sheri L. Peterson Field Guide to Hummingbirds of North America. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2001.
- Greeney, Harold F. Hummingbirds of the Ecuadorian Highlands: Their Unique Biology and Evolution. Cornell University Press, 2020.
- Altshuler, Douglas L., and Richard Dudley. “The Physiological Ecology of Hummingbird Flight.” Current Ornithology, vol. 22, no. 1, 2005, pp. 55–89., doi:10.1007/0-306-48670-5_3.
- Clark, Christopher James, and Jeffery F. Kelly. “New Records of Hummingbird Diversity at 9,000 Feet in the Ecuadorian Andes.” Wilson Journal of Ornithology, vol. 127, no. 3, Sept. 2015, pp. 457–466., doi:10.1676/14-114.1.
- Stiles, F. Gary. “Systematics of the Hermit Hummingbirds (Phaethornithinae).” The Auk, vol. 105, no. 2, 1988, pp. 298–313. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/4087203.
