Hummingbirds are beloved for their diminutive size, iridescent plumage, and ability to hover in midair as they drink nectar from flowers. They are found only in the Americas, with most species living in Central and South America. However, some species migrate north to breed during the summer months, with several species commonly found across much of the United States.
Range of Hummingbirds in the United States
There are over 300 species of hummingbirds in the world, but only a handful regularly breed in the United States. These include the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, found east of the Great Plains, the Black-chinned Hummingbird of the southwest, the Anna’s Hummingbird of the west coast, and the Rufous Hummingbird, which breeds in the northwest and winters in the southwest. Other species, like the Calliope Hummingbird, have more limited breeding ranges in the western mountains.
During migration and winter, additional species like the Rivoli’s Hummingbird and Broad-tailed Hummingbird can be found throughout the southern and western United States. The Buff-bellied Hummingbird is a rare winter visitor to Florida and Texas. Still other species are vagrants, appearing rarely and unexpectedly far from their normal range.
Alaska – The One State Without Hummingbirds
Despite the wide distribution of hummingbirds across North America, there is one state where these tiny birds are completely absent – Alaska. Not a single species of hummingbird is known to breed there or even occur regularly during migration or winter.
There are several reasons Alaska lacks hummingbirds:
- Alaska’s high latitude means there are fewer daylight hours during the breeding season for feeding. Hummingbirds have very high metabolisms and must eat frequently to survive.
- The climate is cooler than hummingbirds prefer. They thrive in warm, tropical and subtropical climates.
- There are fewer flowering plants providing nectar, the primary food source for hummingbirds.
- Developing chicks are unable to survive the cooler temperatures and frequent storms.
A few vagrant hummingbirds have been spotted in Alaska over the years, but these are very rare occurrences. Breeding populations have never become established.
Evidence for Lack of Hummingbirds in Alaska
Several lines of evidence confirm that Alaska completely lacks breeding hummingbird species:
- No species of hummingbird is included on Alaska state bird lists maintained by agencies and ornithological societies.
- There are no documented observations of hummingbirds nesting in Alaska.
- Banding records don’t indicate hummingbirds breeding in the state.
- Extensive surveys of Alaska’s birds have been conducted for over 100 years with no sightings of breeding hummingbirds.
- Climate data shows conditions too cold for survival of tiny hummingbird chicks.
This absence is despite Alaska having thriving populations of birds with similar diets and habits, such as swifts and nectar-feeding songbirds. But these species are better adapted to Alaska’s long winter nights and cold climate.
Could Hummingbirds Establish in Alaska in the Future?
While Alaska has remained hummingbird-free in recorded history, some experts speculate that climate change may allow these birds to expand their range northward into the state over the coming decades. Average temperatures in Alaska are increasing more rapidly than in many other areas. The plant species and lengthening growing season may ultimately provide more opportunities for hummingbirds.
However, any northward expansion is expected to be very slow. So far, there are no signs that any hummingbirds are becoming more common year-round residents in Canada’s Yukon or Northwest Territories which border Alaska. These areas would likely need to be colonized before hummingbirds could reach Alaska.
There are also still questions as to whether Alaska could support breeding hummingbird populations, regardless of warming. The long summer days mean reduced time feeding at flower patches. More research is likely needed to determine if Alaska’s habitats can provide adequate food supplies during the nesting season.
Other States Missing Some Hummingbird Species
While Alaska is the only state with no hummingbirds at all, there are a few species that are not found breeding in particular U.S. states where conditions are unsuitable:
| State | Missing Hummingbird Species |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | Ruby-throated Hummingbird |
| Louisiana | Black-chinned Hummingbird |
| Nevada | Calliope Hummingbird |
However, most states have at least a few species that breed during summer or migrate through during spring and fall. The diversity increases in the southern and western states where warmer climates allow more species to thrive.
Conclusion
Alaska remains unique as the only U.S. state without any regular seasonal populations of hummingbirds. While an errant individual may occasionally be sighted, the unfavorable conditions mean that no species can survive there throughout the breeding season or take up year-round residency. The absence of hummingbirds in Alaska contrasts sharply with the many species found breeding across habitats in the neighboring Lower 48 states. While climate change may allow range expansion in the coming decades, Alaska is likely to remain largely devoid of these tiny, hovering birds for the foreseeable future.
