Hummingbirds are found naturally only in the Americas. There are over 300 different species of hummingbirds, and they are found in a variety of habitats across North America, South America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
North America
There are over 50 species of hummingbirds found in North America. The main countries where hummingbirds are found in North America are:
- United States
- Canada
- Mexico
Some of the most common hummingbird species in North America include:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Anna’s Hummingbird
- Rufous Hummingbird
- Allen’s Hummingbird
- Calliope Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird has the largest range in North America, breeding throughout the eastern United States and Canada. Anna’s Hummingbird and Allen’s Hummingbird are common along the Pacific Coast. Rufous Hummingbirds breed farther north than any other species, all the way up into Alaska.
Key States and Provinces
Some of the key U.S. states and Canadian provinces where hummingbirds are found include:
United States | Canada |
---|---|
California | British Columbia |
Arizona | Ontario |
Texas | Alberta |
Florida | Quebec |
New Mexico | Nova Scotia |
These states and provinces have a diversity of hummingbird species throughout the breeding season due to their varied habitats and floral resources.
Habitats
Hummingbirds occupy many different habitats in North America including:
- Forests
- Meadows
- Gardens
- Deserts
- Mountains
- Coastlines
Particular habitats that are important for hummingbirds in North America include:
- Flower gardens – Provide nectar sources from flowering plants.
- Riparian areas – Offer water and trees/shrubs for perching and nesting.
- Chaparral – Provides scrubby vegetation for nesting and feeding.
- Meadows – Supply a variety of wildflowers for nectar.
South America
The majority of hummingbird species are found in South America. There are over 150 species found in countries like:
- Brazil
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Peru
- Bolivia
- Chile
- Argentina
Some examples of hummingbirds found in these countries include:
- Sparkling Violetear
- Sword-billed Hummingbird
- Giant Hummingbird
- Amethyst Woodstar
- White-necked Jacobin
Many hummingbird species in South America are found in tropical and subtropical forests. These habitats provide the nectar flowers, insects, and trees needed to support hummingbird populations.
Key Areas
Important regions for hummingbirds in South America include:
- The Andes Mountains – Many species are found in the mountains and cloud forests.
- The Amazon Basin – Vast numbers inhabit the lowland rainforests.
- Atlantic Forest – Stretches along the eastern coast with diverse hummingbirds.
- Caatinga – Semi-arid scrub forest with specialized nectar plants.
Protected areas across South America help conserve critical hummingbird habitat, like Tucuman National Park in Argentina and Manu National Park in Peru.
Migration
Some hummingbirds in South America migrate seasonally to track flower blooming or insect availability. For example, the Swallow-tailed Hummingbird breeds in Peru and migrates north to Colombia and Venezuela in the winter.
Other species may move to lower elevations in the Andes Mountains during cold snaps. Overall, hummingbirds in South America tend to be more resident year-round compared to North America species.
Central America
Over 60 hummingbird species are found in Central America. The key countries where they occur are:
- Costa Rica
- Panama
- Nicaragua
- Honduras
- Guatemala
- Belize
- El Salvador
Many Central American hummingbirds are migrants that breed in North America and winter in these tropical habitats. Some species that can be found include:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Rufous Hummingbird
- Broad-billed Hummingbird
- Buff-bellied Hummingbird
- Violet Sabrewing
These hummingbirds favor tropical forests, plantations, gardens, and savannas. Costa Rica is known for its incredible hummingbird diversity with over 50 recorded species.
Key Sites
Important hummingbird sites in Central America include:
- La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica
- Monteverde Cloud Forest in Costa Rica
- Volcan Baru National Park in Panama
- Mayan ruins in Guatemala and Honduras
These places offer essential food resources and habitat for migrating and resident hummingbird species in the region.
Caribbean
There are over 25 species of hummingbirds found in the Caribbean islands. The major islands where they occur include:
- Cuba
- Jamaica
- Hispaniola
- Puerto Rico
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Bahamas
Some Caribbean hummingbirds include:
- Antillean Crested Hummingbird
- Green-throated Carib
- Vervain Hummingbird
- Ruby-topaz Hummingbird
- Broad-billed Hummingbird
These species occupy forest, shrublands, plantations, and gardens on the islands. Several Caribbean hummingbirds are found only on single islands due to their isolation, like the Bee Hummingbird in Cuba.
Endemics
There are a number of hummingbird species endemic just to certain Caribbean islands, meaning they are found nowhere else in the world. For example:
- Cuban Emerald – Cuba
- Jamaican Mango – Jamaica
- Puerto Rican Emerald – Puerto Rico
- Grenada Hummingbird – Grenada
Protecting habitat on each island is crucial to conserve these unique hummingbird species.
Migrants
Some migratory hummingbirds that breed in North America spend their winters in the Caribbean as well, like the Ruby-throated Hummingbird and Rufous Hummingbird. Their long migrations take them across the Gulf of Mexico to reach the Caribbean islands.
Conclusion
In summary, hummingbirds are found only in the Americas across North America, South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. The majority of the over 300 different species occur in tropical South America, which serves as the center of hummingbird diversity. Dozens of species also inhabit North America and the Caribbean islands. These remarkable birds occupy a wide range of habitats from tropical rainforests to mountain meadows and even deserts. Their irreplaceable role as pollinators highlights the importance of conserving natural areas that provide essential nectar plants and nesting sites for hummingbirds throughout the Americas.