Hummingbirds are known for their vibrant colors, speedy flight, and ability to hover in midair. With over 300 different species, hummingbirds come in a beautiful array of colors and patterns. If you’ve noticed a hummingbird with a striking black head and bright red throat, chances are it’s one of the following species:
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is one of the most common hummingbirds found in eastern North America. As their name suggests, ruby-throated hummingbirds have brilliant metallic red throats that appear black in certain lights. The males have an iridescent ruby-red throat, while females have white throats. Both sexes have emerald green backs and crowns, white underbellies, and forked tails. These tiny birds measure only 2.8-3.5 inches long and weigh a mere 2-6 grams.
During summer months, ruby-throats are found throughout the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. They migrate south to Mexico and Central America for the winter. Ruby-throats are solitary birds that don’t form flocks. They aggressively defend flower-rich territories from other hummingbirds and insects. A combination of nectar from flowers and small insects and spiders provides their diet.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds utilize their slender bills and extendable tongues to drink nectar from tubular flowers. Some favorite nectar sources are bee balm, trumpet creeper, cardinal flower, impatiens, petunias, and columbine. These nimble fliers prefer flowers with red blooms that are easily accessed. Backyard feeders loaded with sugar water (1 part sugar to 4 parts water) will also attract them.
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Another possibility is the black-chinned hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri). Black-chinned hummingbirds are prevalent in western North America between British Columbia and Mexico. During migration, they can also be found along the Gulf Coast and in the eastern United States.
The adult male black-chinned hummingbird has a dark, forked tail, a black face, emerald green back, and a vivid purple band at the base of its throat that appears black in low light. Females and juveniles are pale below with greenish backs, white tips on the outer tail feathers, and less iridescent throats that lack the males’ purple band. These hummingbirds measure 3.25 inches long and weigh around 3 grams.
Black-chinned hummingbirds prefer open mountain meadows, valleys, and forests, but they have adapted well to backyard gardens and feeders. They eat insects along with nectar from flowers such as sage, penstemon, columbine, bee balm, and trumpet vines. Providing nectar feeders and tubular blossoms that provide easy access will help attract these birds.
Rufous Hummingbird
The rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is another small hummingbird with distinct red plumage on the males. It’s one of the most widespread hummingbird species in North America.
Male rufous hummingbirds have bright orange-red throats and crowns, rufous (reddish-brown) backs and sides, and white underbellies. Females lack the bold rufous coloring and have green backs, white bellies, and speckled throats that may show some orange or red iridescence. Both sexes have long, slender bills and measure 2.8-3.5 inches in length.
During summer months, rufous hummingbirds breed in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, migrating down to Mexico and the Gulf Coast for winter. They favor forest meadow edges, mountain parks, andValley floors, but will visit backyard gardens and feeders when flowers are in bloom.
Rufous hummingbirds get most of their nutrition from nectar and defend flowers or feeders from other hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. They use their long bills to extract nectar from flowers such as columbine, trumpet vines, gooseberry, and currants. They also eat insects for protein. Providing nectar feeders and tubular red flowers will help entice them to stop by your garden.
Allen’s Hummingbird
The Allen’s hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin) is a small green hummingbird with a striking male breeding plumage. It is common along coastal California and the Pacific Northwest.
Male Allen’s hummingbirds have cinnamon-colored flanks, an iridescent orange-red throat and crown, and a dark tail with white tips on the outer feathers. Females lack the flashy throat patch and are more yellowish-green overall with pale throat speckles. Both sexes have long, slender bills suited to drinking nectar.
In summer, Allen’s hummingbirds are abundant along coastal and inland valleys and mountains of California, southern Oregon, and Washington. Many birds migrate south to winter in Mexico. Preferred habitats provide flowering plants, shrubs, and trees that supply nectar and small insects.
Food sources utilized by Allen’s hummingbirds include tree tobacco, fuchsia, sage, bee balm, paintbrush, California poppies, buckwheat, and nectar feeders. They aggressively defend nectar resources and may chase away intruders. Providing red tubular flowers and clean nectar feeders will help attract them.
Costa’s Hummingbird
Costa’s hummingbird (Calypte costae) is a desert and scrubland species with a striking purple crown and throat. Males are unmistakable with their vivid plumage.
Male Costa’s hummingbirds have iridescent reddish-violet crowns and throats, solid green backs, whitish undersides with greenish flanks, and long, thin forked tails. Females lack the dramatic colors and have whitish undersides, pale throat speckles, and pale tails with white tips on the outer feathers.
Costa’s hummingbirds are found year-round in arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico, especially Arizona, New Mexico, and California. They prefer desert washes, chaparral, and scrub habitats that offer flowering plants, shrubs, and small trees for nectar and small arthropods.
Preferred food plants include ocotillo, palo verde, brittlebush, fairy duster, sage, ironwood, and chuparosa. Costa’s hummingbirds also readily visit nectar feeders and enjoy sugars from extrafloral nectaries of plants such as violets and Indian paintbrushes. Landscapes planted with their favored flowers and scrubby vegetation will help attract them.
Anna’s Hummingbird
The Anna’s hummingbird (Calypte anna) is a medium-sized hummingbird named after 19th century duchess, Anna Masséna. It is common year-round in urban southern California up through British Columbia.
Male Anna’s hummingbirds have iridescent reddish-pink throats and crowns, dark rounded tails, and mostly gray underparts. Females lack the male’s flashy colors and have pale throats with speckles, green backs, white-tipped tails, and gray underparts. Both sexes have nearly straight black bills suited to poking into flowers.
Anna’s hummingbirds breed along the Pacific coast from southern British Columbia to Baja California, with some populations present year-round. They are comfortable in urban and residential areas with sufficient flowers and nectar plants available. First seen in the 1860s, Anna’s hummingbirds have greatly expanded their range by adapting to exotic garden flowers and nectar feeders.
In the wild, Anna’s hummingbirds visit native chaparral plants such as sages, currants, and monkey flowers, along with introduced species like eucalyptus and queen palm fruits. They will use feeders for sugar water and also eat small insects for protein. Provide nectar feeders and a range of tubular blossoms to attract them.
Identifying Features
To identify a hummingbird species, pay close attention to details such as:
- Body size – From smallest to largest: Calliope, rufous, ruby-throated, black-chinned, Anna’s, Allen’s, Costa’s
- Bill shape – Slender, slightly downcurved, or more rounded and stubby
- Plumage colors – Look for iridescent reds, oranges, pinks, purples, greens, and metallics on the crown, throat, or belly
- Tail shape – Deeply forked, slightly forked, rounded, or straight edge
- Range – Consider the region, habitat, season to narrow possibilities
- Behavior – Solitary, territorial, traplining for nectar
A field guide or mobile app can help confirm a hummingbird’s identification based on your observations. Identifying females and juveniles is more challenging without the colorful plumage, but location, season, and behavior provide helpful clues.
Fun Facts
Here are some interesting facts about hummingbirds:
- Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world, with most species measuring 3-5 inches long
- They can flap their wings up to 70 times per second, allowing them to hover in place
- Their tongues are 1.5-2x the length of their bills to reach nectar deep inside flowers
- Hummingbirds have the highest metabolism of all animals due to the energy needed for constant flight
- They consume up to 2x their body weight in nectar each day and visit hundreds or even thousands of flowers
- Males perform elaborate courtship displays to attract mates, including dives, dances, and shuttle displays
- Many species migrate amazing distances each year, some flying over 500 miles nonstop across the Gulf of Mexico
- Hummingbirds utilize rapid eye and head movements to stabilize their vision while hovering
- They can remember every flower they visit and return many times to productive nectar sources
- Their feet and legs are so small they are barely visible. They are used only for perching, not walking or hopping
Attracting Hummingbirds
Here are some tips for attracting hummingbirds to your yard:
- Provide nectar feeders – Use a 1:4 ratio of sugar to water and change the nectar every 2-3 days
- Choose a variety of red, orange, and pink tubular flowers
- Plant in drifts and clusters to create bold patches of color
- Include native plants adapted to your region
- Provide plants that bloom at different times to supply nectar spring through fall
- Allow some flowering plants to go to seed to attract more insects
- Add a water feature such as a mister, drips, or shallow bird bath
- Sit quietly and observe their behaviors and interactions
- Avoid using pesticides which reduce insect populations
- Place feeders and flowers where you can watch the activity
With a little effort, you can enjoy these energetic, acrobatic birds up close right in your own yard!
Conclusion
Hummingbirds come in a spectacular range of colors, sizes, and shapes. If you spot one with a dark head and bright red throat, chances are it is a ruby-throated, black-chinned, rufous, Anna’s, Allen’s, or Costa’s hummingbird. Carefully observing the plumage colors, tail shape, range, behavior and other identification features can help pin down the exact species. Attracting these flying jewels to your garden with nectar flowers and feeders provides an up close look at their impressive flight skills and dazzling colors.
