Hummingbirds are found only in the Americas, ranging from southern Alaska to Chile and Argentina. With over 330 described species, they comprise the second largest family of birds after the tyrant flycatchers. Their high metabolisms and rapid wing beats give them the ability to hover in mid-air and even fly backwards, making them one of the most specialized groups of birds.
Quick Answer
The country with the most hummingbird species is Colombia, with 167 species. This South American country contains over half of the world’s hummingbird species.
Colombia’s Diverse Geography Supports Hummingbird Diversity
There are several reasons why Colombia has the richest hummingbird diversity on Earth:
- Geographic location – Colombia sits at the northwestern corner of South America, with coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. This gives it a wide range of climates and habitats.
- Tropical climate – Much of Colombia has a tropical climate perfect for hummingbirds, with lots of sunshine, rainfall, and flowers year-round.
- Mountainous terrain – The Andes Mountains run through Colombia, creating steep elevation gradients and many microclimates where hummingbirds thrive.
- Habitat variety – Colombia has diverse ecosystems including rainforests, cloud forests, dry forests, savannas, scrublands, and high-altitude paramos. This habitat mosaic supports many specialized hummingbird species.
With its unique location and terrain, Colombia contains a patchwork of ideal hummingbird habitats, enabling so many species to evolve and fill ecological niches.
Major Habitats Supporting Colombia’s Hummingbirds
Let’s take a closer look at some of Colombia’s key habitats and the hummingbirds they harbor:
Tropical Rainforests
Blanketing much of the Colombian Chocó region in the Pacific lowlands, these forests receive up to 10,000 mm of rain per year. Dozens of hummingbird species occupy the different levels of the rainforest, from the high canopy to the dark understory. Examples include the green-crowned brilliant, whose extra long bill is adapted to pollinating rainforest flowers.
Cloud Forests
At higher Andean elevations, humidity condenses into clouds touching the forests. These misty woodlands support specialized hummingbirds like the colorfully plumed bearded mountaineer. Its elongated wings provide aerodynamic lift in the thin air.
Paramos
Above the treeline lie these high-altitude grasslands and shrublands with low temperatures. Hardy hummingbirds adapted to the cold paramos include the buff-winged starfrontlet, whose densely packed feathers provide insulation.
Dry Forests & Scrublands
In contrast to rainforests, Colombia’s inter-Andean valleys and Caribbean coast have dry forests and scrublands with seasonal droughts. Resident hummingbirds include the pale-bellied hermit, which gets most of its water from nectar.
Flowering Gardens & Crops
Hummingbirds flourish in many human-created habitats like gardens and farms growing nectar-rich ornamental or crop plants. Anna’s hummingbird and other opportunistic species have expanded their ranges by exploiting these food sources.
52 Hummingbird Species of Colombia
Of Colombia’s 167 hummingbird species, around a third are endemic (found only in that country). Here is a table of 52 remarkable Colombian hummingbirds, including some endemic standouts:
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
|---|---|
| Ruby-topaz hummingbird | Chrysolampis mosquitus |
| Santa Marta woodstar | Chaetocercus astreans |
| Gorgeted woodstar | Chaetocercus heliodor |
| Santa Marta sabrewing | Campylopterus phainopeplus |
| Grey-breasted sabrewing | Campylopterus largipennis |
| Long-billed starthroat | Heliomaster longirostris |
| Bronzy inca | Coeligena coeligena |
| Brown inca | Coeligena wilsoni |
| Collared inca | Coeligena torquata |
| Buff-winged starfrontlet | Coeligena lutetiae |
| Mountain velvetbreast | Lafresnaya lafresnayi |
| Sword-billed hummingbird | Ensifera ensifera |
| Great sapphirewing | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Buff-tailed coronet | Boissonneaua flavescens |
| Chestnut-bellied hummingbird | Amazilia castaneiventris |
| Indigo-capped hummingbird | Amazilia cyanifrons |
| Rufous-tailed hummingbird | Amazilia tzacatl |
| Andean emerald | Amazilia franciae |
| Shining sunbeam | Aglaeactis cupripennis |
| Bronzy inca | Coeligena coeligena |
| Collared inca | Coeligena torquata |
| Tourmaline sunangel | Heliangelus exortis |
| Glowing puffleg | Eriocnemis vestitus |
| Sapphire-vented puffleg | Eriocnemis luciani |
| Emerald-bellied puffleg | Eriocnemis aline |
| Black-thighed puffleg | Eriocnemis derbyi |
| Green-crowned brilliant | Heliodoxa jacula |
| Gorgeted brilliant | Heliodoxa branickii |
| Green-tailed trainbearer | Lesbia nuna |
| Tyrian metaltail | Metallura tyrianthina |
| Coppery-bellied puffleg | Eriocnemis cupreoventris |
| Sapphire-bellied hummingbird | Lepidopyga lilliae |
| Purple-bibbed whitetip | Urosticte benjamini |
| Booted racket-tail | Ocreatus underwoodii |
| Black inca | Coeligena prunellei |
| Rufous-gaped hillstar | Urochroa bougueri |
| Green-bearded helmetcrest | Oxypogon guerinii |
This table illustrates the wide variety of colorful and creatively adapted hummingbirds found only in Colombia. From tiny woodstars to giant sword-bills, they occupy nearly every ecological niche across this megadiverse country.
Ecuador Has the Second Most Hummingbird Species
Ecuador has the next highest hummingbird species count at 132. Located on the equator, it harbors a similar wealth of landscapes and microclimates supporting specialized hummingbird communities. Endemics include the colorful Ecuadorian hillstar and the critically endangered black-breasted puffleg.
Other Countries with Many Hummingbird Species
Some other countries ranking high in hummingbird diversity:
- Peru – 117 species
- Brazil – 105 species
- Mexico – 97 species
- Bolivia – 81 species
All of these nations contain portions of the tropical Andes and the diverse adjacent lowlands of the Amazon and Orinoco River basins. The combination of mountains and rainforests provide ideal conditions for hummingbird speciation.
Threats to Hummingbirds in Colombia
Despite harboring such incredible hummingbird biodiversity, Colombia faces substantial conservation challenges including:
- Habitat loss from deforestation, agriculture, urbanization
- Climate change disrupting ecosystems
- Poaching for the pet trade
- Pesticide use reducing insect food sources
Protected areas have been established but need stronger management and enforcement. Ecotourism and other incentives for communities to preserve hummingbird habitats will also benefit conservation.
Conclusion
With 167 different hummingbird species packed into a country smaller than Texas, Colombia stands out as the global hotspot of hummingbird diversity. Its combination of ideal latitude, mountains, rainforests, and other habitats has driven rapid speciation over millions of years. But habitat loss and other threats require improved conservation to ensure the survival of Colombia’s unique hummingbird heritage.
