Montana is home to several species of hummingbirds that either reside in the state year-round or pass through during migration seasons. The most common hummingbird species found in Montana include the Calliope Hummingbird, the Rufous Hummingbird, the Broad-tailed Hummingbird, and the Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
Calliope Hummingbird
The Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) is the smallest breeding bird in North America and a year-round resident of Montana. These tiny birds reach lengths of only 2.75-3.5 inches and weigh just 2-3 grams.
The adult male Calliope Hummingbird has bright iridescent throats that appear pink-red depending on the lighting. Their backs and crowns are green, while their undersides are white. Females lack the flashy throats and are more dull green-brown above with gray-white undersides and greenish streaks along the throat and belly.
Calliope Hummingbirds breed in open montane forests and meadows across western Montana at elevations up to 10,000 feet. They nest in trees and tall shrubs, building small cup-shaped nests out of plant down and spider silk.
These agile hummingbirds can hover and fly backwards with ease, living off nectar from flowers and also feasting on small insects. They have fast wingbeats that produce a distinctive high-pitched trilling sound.
Here is a table of key facts about the Calliope Hummingbird:
Scientific Name | Selasphorus calliope |
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Length | 2.75-3.5 in |
Weight | 2-3 g |
Breeding Range | Western Montana |
Habitat | Montane forests and meadows |
Diet | Nectar, insects |
Rufous Hummingbird
The Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is a small migratory hummingbird that breeds in Montana during the summer months. They spend their winters in Mexico and the southern U.S.
The adult male Rufous Hummingbird has a bright orange throat and belly, a green back, and a reddish-brown flank with a dark tail. Females lack the orange throat patch and are generally greener on top with white undersides. Both sexes may show some speckled throat feathers.
These hummingbirds reach 3.5 inches in length and weigh just 2-5 grams. Despite their tiny size, they are feisty and territorial, chasing off other hummingbirds from feeders and flowers.
Rufous Hummingbirds arrive in western Montana in May to breed in mountain meadows, forests, and scrublands. The female builds a delicate cup-shaped nest out of plant down, spider webs, and lichens.
This species eats both nectar and small insects, using their slim beaks and extendable tongues to slurp up liquid. They have the unique ability to starve overnight by lowering their heart rate and body temperature to conserve energy.
Here are some key details about the Rufous Hummingbird:
Scientific Name | Selasphorus rufus |
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Length | 3.5 in |
Weight | 2-5 g |
Breeding Range | Western Montana |
Habitat | Mountain meadows, forests, scrublands |
Diet | Nectar, insects |
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
The Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) migrates through Montana in the summer on its way to breeding grounds further south. They winter in Mexico after breeding in the western U.S.
Males have a metallic green back and crown, a bright pink throat, and a whitish chest. Females lack the bright pink throat and are more uniformly grayish-green on top with a pale underside. Both sexes have a distinctive broad, rounded tail.
These medium-sized hummingbirds reach 3.5-4 inches in length and weigh about 3-5 grams. During migration, they can be observed visiting flowers and feeders across many parts of Montana.
A few key features of the Broad-tailed Hummingbird:
Scientific Name | Selasphorus platycercus |
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Length | 3.5-4 in |
Weight | 3-5 g |
Breeding Range | Southwestern U.S. |
Migration Range | Throughout Montana |
Distinctive Trait | Broad, rounded tail |
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is an uncommon migrant and summer visitor to eastern Montana. They breed across eastern North America and winter in Central America and Florida.
As their name suggests, adult male Ruby-throats have a brilliant metallic ruby-red throat patch. Their backs are emerald green, and undersides are grayish. Females lack the red throat and are pale dull green on top with white undersides.
Reaching 3-4 inches in length and 2-5 grams in weight, these hummingbirds are Montana’s smallest breeding bird. They can hover with high-speed wing beats and are drawn to flower nectar and sap from bored holes in trees.
Here are some quick facts about Ruby-throated Hummingbirds:
Scientific Name | Archilochus colubris |
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Length | 3-4 in |
Weight | 2-5 g |
Breeding Range | Eastern Montana |
Habitat | Forests, meadows, yards |
Diet | Nectar, tree sap, insects |
Identification Tips
Here are some tips for identifying the hummingbird species found in Montana:
- Look at the throat color – Ruby-throats have a red throat, Rufous have orange, Calliopes have pinkish-red, and Broad-tailed have pink.
- Note the tail shape – Broad-taileds have a distinctive wide, rounded tail.
- Check for rufous colors on the flanks, sides, or tail which indicates a Rufous Hummingbird.
- Pay attention to size – Calliopes are the smallest while Ruby-throats and Broad-taileds are larger.
- Listen for sound – the chipping call of the Calliope is distinct from other species.
- Consider range – Ruby-throats are only found in eastern Montana while other species inhabit the west.
With practice, birders can learn to identify the subtle differences between these look-alike hummingbirds.
Behavior and Feeding
Hummingbirds in Montana thrive off the nectar and insects provided by flowers in mountain meadows, forests, scrublands, and yards. Some behavior and feeding facts about Montana’s hummingbirds:
- They use their slender, specialized beaks and extendable tongues to reach nectar at the base of long or curved flowers.
- Their wings beat up to 70 times per second, allowing them to hover in place and fly in any direction with precision.
- Insects like spiders and tiny flies provide protein to supplement their nectar diet.
- They aggressively defend flower patches, feeders, and nest sites from intruders including other hummingbirds.
- To conserve energy overnight, they enter a hibernation-like torpor state where their heart rate and temperature drop.
- Nests are made of soft plant down, held together by spider silk and lichens, and camouflaged in trees and shrubs.
- Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are drawn to the sap of certain trees, licking it from holes made by sapsuckers.
These energetic birds play a key pollination role while collecting their food across Montana’s mountain landscapes. Their specialized body systems allow them to power their aerial feats on just nectar and tiny insects.
Ideal Habitat
Hummingbirds thrive in a diversity of open habitats in Montana that provide their essential food sources:
- Forests – Such as pine, fir, aspen, and riparian woodlands that support many flowering plants.
- Meadows and grasslands – That contain nectar sources like columbine, larkspur, snapdragons, and bee balm.
- Alpine scrub – Dwarf or stunted shrubs and trees at high elevations provide cover and flowers.
- Riparian areas – Streamsides and wetlands lined with color-rich flowers like cardinal flower.
- Yards and gardens – Landscapes with flowering plants, trees, and hummingbird feeders attract these birds.
Other ideal habitat components include perches like dead snags or rocky outcrops which serve as rest stops and observation points for the birds.
Interesting Facts
Here are a few interesting facts about the hummingbirds found in Big Sky Country:
- Rufous Hummingbirds make one of the longest migration routes of all hummingbirds, traveling up to 5,000 miles roundtrip between Mexico and Alaska.
- Male Calliope Hummingbirds create a unique chipping song with their tails to attract females.
- Broad-tailed Hummingbirds use spider silk to weave plant down together when building nests.
- Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are the only species of hummingbird found east of the Great Plains.
- During courtship, male hummingbirds perform dramatic aerial displays, diving and climbing at high speeds to impress females.
- To conserve energy, hummingbirds go into a deep sleep or torpor every night, even slowing their heart rate from 500 beats per minute to 50-180 beats per minute.
- Hummingbird nests are about the size of a walnut shell and expand as the chicks grow inside.
- These tiny birds have surprisingly long tongues – sometimes exceeding the length of their beaks when extended.
Conservation Status
Most hummingbird species found in Montana are doing well with stable or growing populations. However, some key threats and conservation notes according to the IUCN Red List include:
- Rufous Hummingbirds (LC) – Habitat loss in wintering grounds is a concern for this widespread species.
- Calliope Hummingbirds (LC) – Climate change may impact breeding and feeding habits at high elevations.
- Broad-tailed Hummingbirds (LC) – No major threats known. Population increasing.
- Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (LC) – Habitat loss in Central America is a potential issue for this migratory species.
LC = Least Concern. Providing nectar sources through native plants and gardens can support healthy hummingbird populations in Montana.
Conclusion
Montana’s landscapes are home to a diversity of hummingbirds adapted to thrive in the state’s mountains and forests. These energetic, diminutive birds play a vital role as pollinators while brightening summer days with their beauty and motion. Protecting habitat with native flowers and reducing threats like climate change and deforestation will help ensure Montana’s hummingbirds continue flourishing for years to come.