Hummingbirds are known for their incredibly fast wing beats and ability to hover in midair as they feed on flower nectar. There are over 300 different species of hummingbirds in the Americas, each with unique plumage, size, behavior, habitat preferences and more. When it comes to identifying a hummingbird species, looking at distinct physical traits like the color pattern on the tail can be very helpful.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
One hummingbird species that is characterized by having white outer tail feathers is the broad-tailed hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus). The broad-tailed hummingbird is a medium-sized hummer with a length of 3.5-4 inches. As their name suggests, these hummingbirds have a broad and rounded tail. The male broad-tailed hummingbird has a striking appearance with its metallic green throat and crown, a bright pink gorget (throat patch), white breast and belly, and a reddish-pink band along the flanks. However, the key identifying feature is the male’s tail feathers which are predominantly black in the center with broad white tips on the outer 3-4 feathers.
The female broad-tailed hummingbird lacks the vibrant plumage of the male. The female has dull olive-green feathers on the back and crown, a pale throat, light rusty colored flanks and a white tipped tail like the male. Both sexes have a straight black bill.
Range and Habitat
Broad-tailed hummingbirds are found across the western United States during the breeding season, from spring through early fall. Their breeding range extends from southern California, New Mexico and western Texas up through intermountain west into Montana, Wyoming and Colorado. These hummingbirds migrate south to Mexico for the winter.
Within their breeding range, broad-tailed hummingbirds are often found in mountain meadows, pine-fir forests, aspen groves and near streams and ponds. They occur at elevations between 4,000-10,500 feet. The availability of flowers from which to feed is a key factor shaping their habitat use.
Diet
Like all hummingbirds, broad-tailed hummingbirds have a specialized diet consisting of nectar, tree sap and small insects. Their preferred nectar sources include red columbine, larkspur, Indian paintbrush, trumpet vine, monkshood, penstemon and other tubular flowers. To obtain nectar from flowers, these hummingbirds use their long, extendable tongues which are adapted for nectar-feeding. They also glean small insects such as gnats, fruit flies, aphids and spiders from leaves, branches and flowers to meet their protein needs.
Breeding and Nesting
Male broad-tailed hummingbirds return to the breeding grounds in spring, followed by the arrival of females approximately one to two weeks later. In early courtship displays, the male flies in dramatic looping dives to attract a mate.
Once paired, the female builds a small cup-shaped nest out of soft plant down, spider webs and lichens glued together with saliva. She typically places the nest on the upper branches of a conifer tree. The female lays 2 tiny white eggs and incubates them for 15-18 days. The chicks hatch and fledge in about 25-30 days.
Broad-tailed hummingbird females are known for an unusual behavior called “pumping.” To feed her nestlings, a mother broad-tail perches away from the nest and calls to the chicks. When they beg for food, she pumps her tail feathers, which apparently stimulates her regurgitation reflex. She then flies to the nest to feed the chicks.
Rufous Hummingbird
Another small North American hummingbird characterized by extensive white on the outer tail feathers is the rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus). The rufous hummingbird is one of the smallest hummers, reaching just 2.8-3.5 inches in length. The male has a beautiful orange-red throat and crown, a dark green back, and a cinnamon-colored belly and flanks. The bill is slender, straight and all black. As with other Selasphorus hummingbirds, the male rufous hummer has dusky inner tail feathers and bold white tips on the outer 3 feathers, creating a spot at the end of the tail.
Female rufous hummingbirds are primarily green on the back and crown, with speckled throat feathers ranging from cream to orange-red in color. The female’s tail is similarly marked with black central feathers and white outer tips. Females can be distinguished from female broad-tailed hummingbirds based on bill differences (all black in rufous, straight and black in broad-tailed).
Range and Habitat
Rufous hummingbirds breed farther north than any other hummingbird species, with a breeding range extending from southern Alaska through British Columbia, Alberta, and into the Pacific Northwest as far south as northern California. These hummingbirds migrate long distances to spend the winter in Mexico and the Gulf Coast region.
During summer, rufous hummingbirds use a variety of wooded habitats including open forests and woodland edges. They occur in parks, mountain meadows, backyards and other semi-open areas with flower nectar sources. In migration and winter, they are found in forests, desert oases, scrublands and gardens.
Diet
Like all hummingbirds, rufous hummingbirds rely on nectar from colorful tubular flowers as their main food. Some favorite nectar sources are red columbine, Indian paintbrush, delphinium, monkeyflower, gilia, penstemon and nasturtium. They use their slender, slightly downturned bill and extendable tongue to reach nectar at the base of flowers. These hummingbirds also forage on small insects such as gnats, fruit flies, aphids and spiders.
Breeding and Nesting
Rufous hummingbirds return to their breeding grounds as early as February in the southern part of the range. Males arrive first and establish breeding territories which they aggressively defend from intruders. When the females arrive in mid to late spring, the male performs elaborate courtship displays, flying in fast horizontal and vertical arcs less than 2 feet from the female.
If receptive, the female will perch and allow mating. The female then builds a delicate cup-shaped nest out of plant down andspider webs on the branch of a conifer tree. She lays 2 tiny white eggs and incubates them for 15-18 days. The tiny chicks hatch and fledge in about 18-26 days.
Allen’s Hummingbird
Allen’s hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin) is another small western hummingbird with white-edged tail feathers. The male Allen’s hummingbird has a reddish throat, green crown and back, and rufous sides. As in other Selasphorus hummers, the male Allen’s hummingbird has whitetipped outer tail feathers. Females are similar to the female rufous but have a bit more orange on the throat; they also share the diagnostic tail pattern.
Range and Habitat
Allen’s hummingbirds breed along the Pacific Coast from southern California to southern Oregon. Their breeding habitat consists of dense coastal scrub, eucalyptus groves, parks and gardens. In winter, they migrate to Mexico.
Diet
The diet of Allen’s hummingbirds consists of nectar, tree sap, and small insects and spiders. Preferred nectar sources include flowering currant, paintbrush, manzanita, fuchsia, penstemon, mimulus, abutilon and eucalyptus. Allen’s hummingbirds insert their long tongues into flowers to drink the nectar.
Breeding and Nesting
Allen’s hummingbirds breed in late winter and early spring. As with other hummingbirds, the male performs a courtship display to attract females, then mates with receptive females. The female builds a compact cup nest on a branch, often in the cover of eucalyptus leaves, and lays 2 tiny white eggs. She incubates the eggs for 14-19 days. The nestlings hatch and fledge after another 18-26 days in the nest.
Costa’s Hummingbird
The Costa’s hummingbird (Calypte costae) is a desert hummer of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, named for its purple-colored throat feathers resembling a violet color. The male Costa’s hummingbird has a purple crown and throat, with a green back. The outer tail feathers are white-tipped. Females lack the male’s vivid purple and green colors. Their throat is whitish with smaller purple spotting and they share the same white-tipped tail pattern.
Range and Habitat
Costa’s hummingbirds are found in arid scrublands and desert areas of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, from southern California and southwest Arizona south to the western Mexico coast. Their range overlaps broadly with that of the larger Anna’s hummingbird. Costa’s hummingbirds do not migrate and are year-round residents in their desert range.
Diet
These desert hummingbirds visit blossoms of desert plants to drink nectar, including ocotillo, palo verde, brittlebush, fairy duster, aloe, penstemon and hummingbird flowers. They use their slender decurved bill to reach nectar at the base of long tubular blossoms. Costa’s hummingbirds also forage on small spiders and insects such as gnats, aphids and thrips.
Breeding and Nesting
After winter rains stimulate plant growth in the desert, Costa’s hummingbirds breed in late winter and early spring. Males perform aerial displays to court females. The female builds a tiny cup nest in a shrub or tree (often palo verde) and lays 2 white eggs. She incubates the eggs for 15-18 days, and the chicks fledge after another 18-23 days in the nest.
Calliope Hummingbird
The Calliope hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) is the smallest breeding bird in North America. Males are just 3 inches long but have a decorative plumage pattern, with an iridescent magenta throat, white breast and belly, green back and flanks, and the signature white-tipped tail feathers of this genus. Females lack the male’s ornamentation but also have white-edged tails.
Range and Habitat
Calliope hummingbirds range from southern British Columbia through the mountains of California, Nevada and Utah south to Baja California and Mexico. They breed in high elevation meadows and pine forests, and migrate to mountain forests in Mexico for winter. Calliopes are the only hummer species that regularly spends winters in the U.S., sometimes as far north as Washington.
Diet
Like all hummingbirds, Calliope hummingbirds drink mainly flower nectar and tree sap along with small insects and spiders. Some key nectar sources are larkspur, red columbine, paintbrushes, monkeyflowers and penstemons. To obtain nectar from long tubed flowers, Calliopes lick it up with their extendable tongue; they also pick small insects off leaves and flowers.
Breeding and Nesting
Male Calliope hummingbirds return to the breeding grounds ahead of females. They are promiscuous, mating with multiple females. Females build a tiny lichen-covered nest saddled onto a thin branch. The nest is about 1 inch across and may be the smallest bird’s nest in North America. The female lays just 2 pea-sized white eggs. She incubates the eggs for 15-17 days, and the tiny chicks fledge after another 16-24 days in the nest.
Conclusion
While many hummingbird species have dark tail feathers with white tips, some of the most notable examples are these western species: broad-tailed, rufous, Allen’s, Costa’s, and Calliope hummingbirds. The distinctive tail pattern serves as a useful field mark to identify these diminutive, hyperactive birds as they hover at flowers. Closely observing a hummingbird’s tail could be the key to determining its identity when multiple similar-looking hummers occur in an area.