Hummingbirds are a beloved part of the ecosystem in Utah, darting from flower to flower with their distinct humming sound. But what colors can you expect to see on these tiny birds in the Beehive State?
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The most common hummingbird spotted in Utah is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. As the name suggests, the males of this species have a brilliant ruby red throat. Their backs and crowns are an iridescent green color. Females lack the ruby red throat and are more grayish-white underneath with greenish backs.
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Black-chinned Hummingbirds are also fairly common in Utah, especially during migration seasons. The males have a dark, almost black chin and throat with an iridescent purple patch below. Their backs are emerald green. Females have pale white throats and bellies with greenish backs.
Calliope Hummingbird
Calliope Hummingbirds are the smallest breeding bird in North America and one of the smallest birds in the world, weighing just 2-3 grams. In Utah, they are less common than Ruby-throats and Black-chins. Male Calliopes have brightly colored magenta throats, with a white breast and belly and greenish feathers on the back. Females lack the colorful throat and are more gray-white on the underside.
Rufous Hummingbird
The Rufous Hummingbird is known for its incredibly bright, reddish-orange coloration. The males are especially eye-catching with their rusty colored backs and bright orange throats. Females are greener on the back with creamy white undersides. In Utah, Rufous Hummingbirds are mostly spotted during migration periods.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds live up to their name with their wide, rounded tail feathers. The males have a bright fuchsia throat and belly, with an emerald green back. Females have rusty colored sides, a white belly, and green back. Their most unique feature is the loud buzzing trill their wings make in flight. Broad-tailed Hummers are common summer residents in Utah.
Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbirds are rare in Utah, occasionally spotted in the southwestern part of the state. The male’s head and throat ranges from rose pink to magenta depending on lighting conditions. Their backs are emerald green and underparts grayish. Females are similar but with green heads and gray to pale pink in the throat area.
Costa’s Hummingbird
Costa’s Hummingbirds are extremely rare vagrants in Utah, but included for completeness. Males are brightly colored with a violet-purple throat and crown, with green feathers on the back and underparts. Females are duller with a pale white underside, greenish back, and small purple spots on the throat.
Allen’s Hummingbird
Allen’s Hummingbirds are another rare species in Utah, occasionally reported in the southwestern part of the state. Males have fiery orange-red throats, a green crown, and greenish-bronze back. Females have green crowns, white undersides with green spotting, and rufous sides.
Conclusion
In summary, while many species of hummingbirds may pass through Utah during migration, the most commonly spotted permanent residents are Ruby-throated and Black-chinned Hummers. The male Ruby-throats are unmistakable with their bright red throats, and Black-chins have a distinctive dark chin patch. Other species like Calliope, Broad-tailed, Rufous, Anna’s, Costa’s, and Allen’s may occasionally be sighted as well. Hummingbirds display incredible diversity in their plumage, ranging from metallic greens to vibrant magentas and oranges. Keep an eye out for these tiny, colorful birds darting through your Utah neighborhood!
| Species | Male Color Pattern | Female Color Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Ruby-throated | Ruby red throat, emerald green back | White underside with greenish back |
| Black-chinned | Purple throat patch, emerald green back | White underside with greenish back |
| Calliope | Magenta throat, green back | Gray-white underside |
| Rufous | Bright rusty orange back and throat | Creamy white underside |
| Broad-tailed | Fuchsia throat and belly, green back | Rusty sides, white belly, green back |
| Anna’s | Pink to magenta head and throat, green back | Green head, gray throat, pale pink wash |
| Costa’s | Violet-purple throat and crown, green back | White underside with purple spots |
| Allen’s | Orange-red throat, green crown and back | Green crown, white underside with spots |
Ruby-throated hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is one of the most widespread and common hummingbird species in eastern North America. As their name indicates, the males have a vibrant metallic ruby-red throat, with an iridescent emerald green back and white underside. Females lack the ruby red throat and are more dull grayish-white underneath with greenish feathers on the back. Ruby-throats are found across the eastern United States in the summer, and migrate to Central America for winter. They are the only regularly occurring hummingbird in much of the East. Their small size (3-4 in long with a 3-4 in wingspan) makes them a joy to watch as they energetically feed at flowers and feeders. Ruby-throat males can be aggressive in defending their feeding territories.
Black-chinned hummingbird
The Black-chinned Hummingbird is a common western species, breeding in summer across much of western North America. Their name comes from the adult male’s dark purple chin and throat feathers, which appear black in dim light. Otherwise, the males have a pale white underside and metallic green upperparts. Females lack the dark chin, having a pale white throat and belly with dull green upperparts. Black-chins are migrants, wintering in Mexico after breeding as far north as Canada. They are petite, measuring only 3-3.5 inches. You can attract these hummingbirds to your yard by planting tubular red flowers and providing nectar feeders.
Calliope hummingbird
Calliope Hummingbirds are the smallest breeding bird in North America and one of the tiniest birds in the world, weighing just 2-3 grams. Males are especially colorful with their bright magenta throats, making a flashy contrast against their white undersides and greenish backs. Females lack the colorful throat patch and are more gray-white below with faint streaking on the sides. These tiny hummers breed in the mountainous west, feeding on nectar and small insects. To survive in cold climates, they can slow their heart rate and drop their body temperature into a deep torpor to conserve energy on cold nights. Calliope hummingbirds have the highest wingbeat frequency of all birds, at up to 80 beats per second while hovering.
Rufous hummingbird
The Rufous Hummingbird lives up to its name with the males exhibiting famously bright reddish-orange plumages. Their backs and crowns are a rusty orange, while the throat is an iridescent fiery orange. Females are much duller, with a pale creamy white underside and greenish back. Rufous Hummers breed farther north than any other species, nesting in Alaska and northwestern Canada in summer. They migrate remarkably long distances, with many wintering in Mexico. Their feisty temperament belies their tiny size, as they fiercely defend feeding territories from other hummers and even larger birds. A frequent visitor to mountain wildflower meadows and backyard feeders, Rufous Hummingbirds are hard to miss in western North America.
Broad-tailed hummingbird
When you hear an odd loud buzzing or trilling sound from a passing hummingbird in the Rocky Mountains, chances are it’s a Broad-tailed Hummingbird. They get their name from the wide, rounded shape of their tail feathers. Males have a bright fuchsia throat and belly, an emerald green back, and a distinct broad tail with a black band near the tip. Females are more subdued with a pale whitish underside, green back with rusty speckling on the sides, and the same broad tail shape. Both sexes have the boldly striped crown characteristic of the species. As their loud wing trill suggests, Broad-tailed Hummingbirds beat their wings quickly allowing them to thrive in high elevations. They breed in montane meadows and pine forests and migrate to Mexico for winter.
Anna’s hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbirds were named after a 19th century duchess who was a bird enthusiast. They are strikingly colored with iridescent rose-pink heads and throats that appear to glow in the light. Their backs and tails range from bronze-green to bright emerald. Females have similar green backs but lack the pink throat, instead having gray heads and necks with hints of pink spots or streaks. Anna’s Hummers are year-round residents along the Pacific coast from Baja to British Columbia, with some inland populations as well. They are aggressively territorial and even winter in chilly climates, surviving by entering nightly torpor to conserve energy. These strong flying birds also mate in spectacular aerial displays. Anna’s Hummingbirds thrive in neighborhoods and parks with plenty of nectar flowers and feeders.
Costa’s hummingbird
Costa’s Hummingbird is named after French nobleman and naturalist Marquis de Costa. Males are stunningly colored, with iridescent violet crowns and throats, white undersides, and green tails and backs. The purple color really pops in certain lights. Females are quite different, having white underparts, dull green backs, and speckled purple spots on the throat. Costa’s Hummers live year-round in arid habitats of the U.S. southwest and Mexico. They prefer desert oases, dry scrub, and chaparral habitats with agave and other flowering plants. This desert hummer is very territorial and aggressive around feeders despite its tiny size. They do migrate seasonally following flower blooms. Costa’s Hummingbirds build unique flask-shaped nests out of spider silk and other materials.
Allen’s hummingbird
Allen’s Hummingbirds are aptly named for having been first documented by Charles Allen in the nineteenth century. Males live up to the hummingbird reputation for iridescence, with throats that glow like molten lava. Their heads, throats, and breast coverts are a fiery orange-red, making a dramatic statement. The rest of their plumage is mostly green, with an emerald hood, bronze-green back, and greenish undertail. Females are considerably duller, with plain green crowns, white undersides with green spotting, and coppery sides. Allen’s Hummers breed along California’s Pacific coast and winter in Mexico. They prefer forest and woodland edges, parks, and gardens rich in nectar flowers.
