Arizona is home to a wide variety of hummingbird species. With its diverse habitats including mountain forests, deserts, riparian areas, and urban gardens, the state provides excellent opportunities for hummingbird watching. Some hummingbird species are year-round residents, while others pass through Arizona on their migration routes in spring and fall.
Common Hummingbird Species in Arizona
Here are some of the most frequently encountered hummingbird species in Arizona:
- Anna’s Hummingbird – One of the most common hummingbirds in urban and suburban areas of central and southern Arizona year-round.
- Black-chinned Hummingbird – A summer breeding resident statewide. The most widespread and commonly seen hummingbird in Arizona.
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird – A summer resident of higher elevation mountain forests in eastern and central Arizona.
- Rufous Hummingbird – A common migrant and winter resident from July through May mostly in northern and southeastern Arizona.
- Calliope Hummingbird – A summer resident and breeder in higher mountains throughout the state.
- Broad-billed Hummingbird – Found along the Colorado River Valley and in southeastern desert areas year-round.
- Violet-crowned Hummingbird – A rare resident along the Colorado River and in the Chiricahua Mountains in southeastern Arizona.
- Costa’s Hummingbird – An uncommon winter visitor and spring migrant mainly along the lower Colorado River Valley.
- Magnificent Hummingbird – An uncommon winter and spring visitor to southeastern canyons and mountains.
- Blue-throated Mountain-gem – A rare summer visitor to high elevation pine-oak and fir forests in southeastern Arizona.
When and Where to See Hummingbirds in Arizona
The best times and places to spot different hummingbird species in Arizona include:
- April to September – Higher elevation mountain forests and canyons statewide for migrants like Broad-tailed, Calliope, Rufous, and the rare Blue-throated Mountain-gem.
- May to August – Riparian areas and mountain meadows statewide for breeding Black-chinned, Anna’s, Broad-tailed, Rufous, and Calliope Hummingbirds.
- June to August – Southeastern Arizona mountains for nesting Blue-throated Mountain-gem and Magnificent Hummingbirds.
- July to April – Southeastern Arizona canyons for wintering Rufous and Costa’s Hummingbirds.
- Year-round – Colorado River Valley and lower deserts for resident Anna’s, Broad-billed, Black-chinned, and Violet-crowned Hummingbirds.
- Year-round – Urban and suburban gardens statewide, especially in central and southern Arizona for Anna’s Hummingbirds.
Following seasonal blooming cycles by visiting wildflower hotspots and planted gardens when flowers are at their peak will increase chances of seeing migrating and breeding hummingbirds.
Ideal Hummingbird Habitats in Arizona
Some of the best habitats to find hummingbirds in Arizona include:
- Canyons – Narrow canyons with small seeps, springs, and flowering plants in southeastern Arizona attract nesting Black-chinned Hummingbirds and migrant species like Magnificent, Blue-throated Mountain-gem, Broad-tailed, and Calliope Hummingbirds.
- Riparian areas – Lush riparian corridors lined with cottonwoods, sycamores, and willows statewide provide habitat for hummingbirds like Black-chinned and nesting Anna’s Hummingbirds.
- Desert washes – Desert washes and riparian areas with catclaw acacia and desert willow flowers attract hummingbirds like Costa’s and Broad-billed year-round.
- Pine-oak woodlands – Higher elevation pine-oak forests support breeding Broad-tailed, Rufous, and Calliope Hummingbirds in summer.
- High mountain meadows – Wildflower meadows above 7,000 feet elevation harbor breeding Broad-tailed, Calliope, and Rufous Hummingbirds.
- Desert scrub – Upland Sonoran and Chihuahuan desert habitats with agaves, ocotillo, chuparosa, and other flowers host hummingbirds like Costa’s and Broad-billed.
- Suburban gardens – Well-planted suburban gardens and parks with nectar flowers and feeders attract Anna’s Hummingbirds year-round and Rufous Hummingbirds in winter.
Key Identification Features
Here are some key identification features to look for when identifying Arizona’s hummingbird species:
| Species | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Anna’s Hummingbird | Medium-sized with green head and back, grey underparts and reddish-pink gorget on males. Females lack gorget. |
| Black-chinned Hummingbird | Small size with dark, straight bill; males have iridescent purple throat patch. Females and juveniles lack purple patch. |
| Broad-tailed Hummingbird | Medium-sized with green back, white breast with dark spotting at corners and bright red-pink throat on males. Long wings produce a distinctive trill in flight. |
| Rufous Hummingbird | Small hummingbird with bright coppery-red plumage on males. Females have green backs, white bellies with rusty flanks. |
| Calliope Hummingbird | Tiny hummingbird with streaked throat on males. Females lack streaks. Both have dark tail with white tips. |
| Broad-billed Hummingbird | Medium-small hummingbird with long, straight, all-black bill. Males have brilliant metallic blue-green throat. |
| Violet-crowned Hummingbird | Small green hummingbird with bright violet crown on males. Females lack violet crown. |
| Costa’s Hummingbird | Medium-small size with violet crown and throat on males and broad purple tail corners. Females lack violet. |
| Magnificent Hummingbird | Large with dark green upperparts and white underparts with dark streaks. Males have shiny purple-blue throat. |
| Blue-throated Mountain-gem | Tiny with bright blue throat patch on males and white spots behind eyes. Females lack blue throat patch. |
Plants for Attracting Hummingbirds
Here are some great native and non-native plants for landscaping to attract hummingbirds in Arizona:
- Native flowering plants – Agave, ocotillo, chuparosa, penstemon, fairy duster, salvias, and sages.
- Non-native flowers -Trumpet vine, lantana, coral honeysuckle, petunias, fuchsias, and flowering tobacco.
- Native trees – Cottonwood, sycamore, willow, and desert willow.
- Bottlebrush, pineapple sage, and firecracker flowers.
Providing a continuous sequence of flowering plants that bloom from spring through fall will provide natural nectar for migrating and breeding hummingbirds throughout the seasons.
Summary
With over a dozen species, Arizona provides excellent birding for a diversity of hummingbirds. The state’s varied mountain and desert habitats host breeding species in summer as well as migrants in spring and winter. Southeast Arizona and the Colorado River region are hummingbird hotspots. Careful attention to identification features like plumage patterns, gorget colors, and sizes aids in identifying species. Landscaping yards and gardens with native and non-native nectar flowers and plants provides essential habitat and food sources to attract hummingbirds.
