There are a few species of butterflies that resemble hummingbirds in appearance due to their similar size, swift flying ability, and elongated bills that enable them to feed on flowers. The most common hummingbird-like butterflies belong to the swallowtail butterfly family Papilionidae.
Key Facts About Hummingbird-Like Butterflies
Here are some quick facts about the types of butterflies that resemble hummingbirds:
- They belong to the swallowtail butterfly family Papilionidae, which includes over 550 species globally.
- The most well-known hummingbird-like swallowtails are found in North and South America.
- Examples include the blue morpho, emerald swallowtail, madoryx oiclus, and Battus polydamas.
- Their wingspan ranges from 3-6 inches, similar to many hummingbird species.
- Their wings beat up to 90 times per second, allowing swift and agile flight.
- They have elongated tubular proboscises (tongues) to drink nectar from flowers.
- They exhibit bright iridescent blue, green, and yellow colors on their wings.
- They inhabit tropical and subtropical forests and gardens.
Appearance and Size
The characteristic that makes certain butterflies look so similar to hummingbirds is their relatively large size and robust, fast-beating wings. Hummingbird-like butterflies have wingspans reaching 3 to 6 inches, similar in size to many hummingbird species which range from 2.5 to 5 inches in length. The giant swallowtail, for example, can have up to a 6-inch wingspan.
These oversized wings allow the butterflies to beat their wings up to 90 times per second to achieve swift, darting flight. Their flight pattern and speed resembles hummingbirds zipping from flower to flower. In addition to size, these butterflies share some of the vibrant, iridescent coloring seen in hummingbirds. Reflective blues, greens, yellows, and oranges on the wings create a metallic, rainbow-like effect as the butterfly zips around in the sunlight.
Examples of Size and Coloring
- Blue morpho (Morpho peleides): 5-6 inch wingspan with iridescent blue upperwings.
- Madoryx oiclus: 4-5 inch wingspan with brownish-orange and green coloring.
- Battus polydamas (Polydamas swallowtail): 3-4 inch wingspan with yellow and black coloring.
- Ornithoptera priamus (Common green birdwing): 4-6 inch wingspan with bright green and black markings.
Proboscis for Drinking Nectar
Another feature that gives some swallowtails a hummingbird-esque look is their long, specialized mouthparts called a proboscis. A proboscis functions like a straw, allowing the butterfly to drink nectar from flowers. The length and tubular shape resembles the long, needle-like beaks of hummingbirds.
Brightly colored butterflies like hummingbird moths and swallowtails use their proboscis to take nectar meals from brightly colored tropical flowers, including:
- Lantana
- Verbena
- Buddleia
- Petunia
- Viola
- Thistle
- Honeysuckle
- Lilac
- Milkweed
Hummingbirds favor many of the same tubular, nectar-rich blossoms. When feeding, both hummingbirds and long-proboscis butterflies hover in front of the flower and insert their beaks/proboscises into the petals.
Where Found
Hummingbird-like butterflies are predominantly found in tropical to subtropical regions of Central and South America. This range overlaps with where the majority of hummingbird species occur. Specific species like the blue morpho and madoryx oiclus inhabit tropical rainforests and wooded areas in South America.
Some common habitats include:
- Rainforests – Dense, lush tropical rainforests provide an abundance of flowering vines, trees, and shrubs for foraging.
- Forest edges – Openings and edges surrounding tropical forests have plenty of light and flowers.
- Riverbanks – Rivers and streams are bordered by trees and flowering plants.
- Gardens – These butterflies may visit backyard gardens with suitable nectar flowers.
Northern migratory hummingbirds like rufous and Allen’s hummingbirds can transport some tropical pollen species from Mexico and Central America. This sometimes results in overlap between hummingbird and look-alike butterfly ranges in the southern United States.
Differences Between Hummingbirds and Hummingbird-Like Butterflies
Although they share similarities, there are some key differences that set hummingbirds and these unique butterflies apart:
Major Differences
| Hummingbirds | Hummingbird-like Butterflies |
|---|---|
| Birds | Insects |
| Constantly beating wings to hover and fly | Flap wings occasionally; often glide between flowers |
| Only found in the Americas | Found worldwide, especially tropical regions |
| Need lots of food due to high metabolism | Feed periodically; don’t require as much food |
While their appearance and feeding behaviors are similar, hummingbirds and these butterflies belong to completely different animal classes. Hummingbirds are agile, warm-blooded vertebrates with constantly beating wings. Butterflies are delicate invertebrates that glide frequently between periods of flapping. Hummingbirds have only been found in the Americas, while hummingbird-like butterflies exist on continents worldwide.
Common Species of Hummingbird-Like Butterflies
Here are some of the most common swallowtail and moth species from North America and South America that resemble tiny hummingbirds:
North American Species
- Western tiger swallowtail – Large yellow and black striped wings; wingspan 3.5-5.5 inches.
- Eastern tiger swallowtail – Yellow and black, sometimes blue coloring; wingspan 3.5-6.5 inches.
- Canadian tiger swallowtail – Yellow and black with extensive blue spots; wingspan 3.5-4 inches.
- Pale swallowtail – Large, mostly white wings; wingspan 3-4.5 inches.
- Giant swallowtail – Large butterfly with wingspan up to 6 inches.
- Pipevine swallowtail – Black with blue and orange spots; wingspan 3-4.5 inches.
- Zebra swallowtail – Elongated wings striped in black and white; wingspan 3-4 inches.
- Black morpho – Deep blue/black wings with striking blue iridescence.
South American Species
- Blue morpho – Brilliant blue wings; wingspan 5-6 inches.
- Madoryx plutonius – Brownish-orange color; wingspan 4-5 inches.
- Battus polydamas – Black with yellow bands; wingspan 3-4 inches.
- Eurytides marcellinus – Elongated greenish wings; wingspan 2-3 inches.
- Parides photinus – Black wings with greenish-blue bands; wingspan 2-3 inches.
- Parides zacynthus – Bright green wings with black edges; wingspan 2-3 inches.
- Heliconius erato – Black with both yellow and red bands; wingspan 2-3 inches.
Conclusion
With their compact size, super-fast wing beats, and tubular mouthparts, a few species of tropical swallowtail and moth butterflies have evolved to closely resemble hummingbirds. They inhabit many of the same flower-rich habitats in Central and South America, drawing nectar through long proboscises. Their vibrant coloring, swift flight, and presence in the Americas leads to the nickname “butterfly hummingbirds.” On closer inspection there are anatomical differences that separate these tiny, delicate insects from their winged bird counterparts. But their specialized adaptations provide one of the best examples of mimicry between two different classes of animals.
