Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating birds, captivating people with their tiny size, stunning iridescent colors, and ability to hover in midair as their wings beat up to 80 times per second. With over 300 different species, hummingbirds are found only in the Americas. But of all these varieties, which is the most common hummingbird seen in backyards and gardens across North America?
What Makes a Hummingbird “Common”?
When describing a bird species as “common,” this typically refers to how widespread and numerous they are rather than how ordinary they may seem. Some key factors that contribute to a hummingbird’s commonness include:
- Broad geographic range – The species can be found over a large area.
- Abundant population – There are large numbers of the birds within that range.
- Frequency of sightings – People regularly observe these hummingbirds in appropriate habitats.
- Adaptability – The species thrives in diverse locations, including those modified by human activity.
- Resilience – Even with potential threats like habitat loss, the population remains strong.
With over 50 different hummingbird species breeding in the United States and Canada, competition is fierce for food sources, habitat, and nesting spaces. Only a handful of hardy, adaptable hummingbirds have succeeded in becoming widespread and populous enough across North America to be considered common.
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
The ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is arguably the most common and familiar hummingbird in eastern North America. Some key facts about this widespread species include:
- Geographic range: Breeds across eastern U.S. and southern Canada, winters in Central America
- Population estimate: Over 30 million
- Key identification: Males have a brilliant red throat patch or “gorget.” Females and juveniles are white-throated.
- Habitats: Open areas with flowering plants, including meadows, yards, parks, and forests edges
- Food sources: Natural and human-provided nectar from flowers, tree sap, small insects
- Fun fact: Ruby-throats are feisty and territorial, aggressively defending their preferred nectar sources!
With their vast numbers and ability to thrive in both natural and suburban settings, ruby-throated hummingbirds are probably the most frequently observed backyard hummingbird over much of eastern North America. Their range extends as far west as Texas, Oklahoma, and Minnesota.
Black-Chinned Hummingbird
In western North America, the black-chinned hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) fills the niche of the common backyard hummingbird. Notable facts include:
- Geographic range: Breeds across western U.S. and Canada, winters in Mexico
- Population estimate: Over 13 million
- Key identification: White-colored throat with a black border below. Green backs in males and dull grayish-green in females.
- Habitats: Deserts, plains, foothills, canyons, variable climates
- Food sources: Nectar, tree sap, small insects, spider webs
- Fun fact: This adaptable species thrives at elevations from sea level up to 10,000 feet!
Like the ruby-throat in the east, the abundance and adaptability of black-chinned hummingbirds make them a common sight in backyards across western North America as far east as Texas. They occasionally hybridize with ruby-throated hummingbirds along the central part of the continent.
Anna’s Hummingbird
Another western species that frequents backyards and feeds at feeders is Anna’s hummingbird (Calypte anna). Here are some quick facts:
- Geographic range: Breeds along west coast from British Columbia to Baja; expanding east and north
- Population estimate: Over 4 million
- Key identification: Males have iridescent rose-pink throats and crowns. Females have light spotting on throats and gray crowns.
- Habitats: Open wooded areas, parks, gardens, chaparral, mountain meadows
- Food sources: Nectar, tree sap, small insects
- Fun fact: Anna’s are year-round residents across much of their range, a rarity among North American hummingbirds.
Though their historic range was limited to the Pacific Coast region, Anna’s hummingbirds have greatly expanded their breeding range northward and eastward in recent decades, adapting well to backyard feeders and ornamental plantings.
Rufous Hummingbird
The rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is another common western hummingbird known for its feistiness and appetite. Here are some key details:
- Geographic range: Breeds from Alaska to California; winters in Mexico
- Population estimate: Over 3.5 million
- Key identification: Males have bright orange backs/sides and white-spotted red throats. Females are greenish-brown with speckled throats.
- Habitats: Coastal forest, mountain meadows, thickets, scrubland
- Food sources: Insects, tree sap, nectar from flowers and feeders
- Fun fact: Rufous hummers are assertive feeder guarders; they often chase away other hummingbirds!
Though they migrate in the fall, rufous hummingbirds are another common summer sight in western backyard feeders and gardens. Their feistiness and appetite for both nectar and small insects make them a hummingbird that’s hard to miss!
Calliope Hummingbird
One of the smallest hummingbird species in North America at just 2-3 inches long, the calliope hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) is commonly seen along the Pacific Coast, including in backyards. Here are some quick facts about this tiny bird:
- Geographic range: Breeds from British Columbia to Baja; winters in Mexico
- Population estimate: Over 1.5 million
- Key identification: Males have vivid magenta throats bordered with white. Females lack throat coloring. Among tiniest birds in world.
- Habitats: Higher-elevation meadows, mountain forests, streamsides
- Food sources: Insect prey and nectar from flowers and feeders
- Fun fact: Calliope hummingbirds build nests as small as a walnut shell and lay eggs the size of a coffee bean!
Despite their tiny size, calliope hummingbirds are pugnacious and chase away larger hummers. They are specialist nectar feeders that supplement with small insects like gnats, aphids, and leafhoppers.
Other Common Backyard Hummingbirds
Depending on your location in North America, you may also encounter these hummingbird species frequenting backyards:
- Allen’s hummingbird: Coastal California and Oregon
- Broad-billed hummingbird: Southwestern desert regions
- Broad-tailed hummingbird: Rocky Mountains area
- Buff-bellied hummingbird: South Texas and Mexico border
- Rufous-crowned hummingbird: Southwestern U.S. and Mexico
How to Attract Common Hummingbirds to Your Yard
To make your yard welcoming for the common hummingbird species in your region, follow these tips:
- Get a specialized hummingbird nectar feeder and keep it freshly stocked with nectar (1 part sugar to 4 parts water). Clean frequently.
- Plant native flowers and shrubs that provide nectar, like columbine, trumpet vine, salvia, honeysuckle, etc.
- Add a water mister or drizzle irrigation system to provide drinking and bathing water.
- Avoid using pesticides that reduce insect populations hummingbirds rely on.
- Set up feeders and flowering plants in optimal visibility locations away from predators.
- Be patient! Once one hummingbird discovers your yard, others will follow.
With a little effort, you can transform your backyard into hummingbird heaven! Monitoring a feeder will allow you to observe the common hummingbirds that share your home range up close as they feed.
Fun Facts About Common Backyard Hummingbirds
Here are some fun trivia bits about the antics and abilities of your new yard guests:
- Hummingbirds can fly forwards, backwards, up, down, sideways, and even upside down!
- They lick nectar using long, forked tongues that curl up to 13 times per second.
- Their wings act independently, rotating in figure 8 patterns and enabling aerial stunts.
- Rufous hummingbirds migrate a grueling 3,900 mile round trip each year.
- A hummingbird’s heart rate can reach up to 1,260 beats per minute while in flight.
- Hummingbirds consume up to twice their body weight in nectar each day.
- They build silky nests from spider webs, moss, lichen, and plant down.
Watching the aerial antics, daring dives, and competitive spirit of hummingbirds is an entertaining free show available to those who provide welcoming habitat and a nectar buffet in their yards!
Key Takeaways
- Ruby-throated hummingbirds are the most common backyard hummingbird in eastern North America.
- In western regions, Anna’s, black-chinned, rufous, and calliope hummingbirds frequent yards.
- Providing nectar feeders, abundant flowers, water, and insect prey creates ideal backyard habitat.
- Hummingbirds are fascinating to observe with specialized adaptations like air stunt flying, rapid wingbeats, and extendable tongues.
- With a little landscaping effort, we can support healthy populations of these energetic, beautiful pollinators.
Conclusion
Attracting hummingbirds to your yard allows for rewarding opportunities to connect with nature right outside your door. With their glittering plumage, remarkable flying skills, competitive antics, and insatiable appetites, common backyard hummingbirds provide free entertainment and a compelling reason to make your yard an inviting sanctuary for both you and wildlife.
