Hummingbirds are found naturally only in the Americas. There are over 300 different species of hummingbirds, with the majority found in South America. Hummingbirds are attracted to tubular flowers, which they feed on by using their long beaks and tongues to reach the nectar inside. They get energy from the sugars in the nectar, and also eat small insects for protein. Hummingbirds beat their wings up to 80 times per second, allowing them to hover in place or fly forwards, backwards, and upside down. Their rapid wing beats make the distinct humming sound that gives them their name.
Regions where hummingbirds live
Hummingbirds are found in a variety of habitats and regions in the Americas:
- South America – This continent is home to the most species of hummingbirds, with over 140 species. Countries like Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Brazil, and Bolivia have high hummingbird diversity.
- Central America – Countries like Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama have between 25-50 hummingbird species. Broad-billed hummingbirds, magnificent hummingbirds, and rufous hummingbirds are examples found here.
- The Caribbean – Islands like Jamaica, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic have between 5-20 endemic hummingbird species, like the Antillean crested hummingbird.
- North America – The United States and Canada are home to over 50 species. Anna’s hummingbird, ruby-throated hummingbird, rufous hummingbird, and calliope hummingbird are common.
Within these regions, hummingbirds inhabit a variety of ecosystems. Tropical and subtropical forests, mountain forests, deserts, scrublands, meadows, subtropical scrub, and temperate woodlands can all be home to hummingbirds depending on the species.
Ideal hummingbird habitats
The ideal habitat for hummingbirds has several key features:
- Flowers – An abundance of tubular, nectar-rich flowers are essential to provide food for hummingbirds. Native plant species that bloom through spring, summer, and fall ensure a constant nectar source.
- Water – A clean water source like a stream, pond, fountain, or bird bath provides water for drinking and bathing.
- Shelter – Trees, shrubs, and bushes provide safe resting spots and materials for nest building. Evergreen trees in particular offer shelter through winter.
- Insects – Hummingbirds supplement their diet with small insects like gnats, fruit flies, spiders, and aphids. Gardens and woodlands attract these prey.
Places that combine flowering plants, water sources, arboreal shelter, and insects create excellent habitats for hummingbirds to thrive. Backyards, gardens, parks, woodlands, and nature reserves that offer these elements are sure to attract visiting hummingbirds during the seasons when food is plentiful.
Key hummingbird flowers
There are many beautiful flowers that attract hummingbirds. Here are some of the most popular:
- Trumpet Vine – These have long, tubular red flowers that hummingbirds love to feed from. They bloom through summer and fall.
- Bee Balm – Also called monarda, these flowers come in shades of red, pink, and purple. They attract hummingbirds with their sweet nectar.
- Cardinal Flower – With bright red blooms, these tubular flowers are a magnet for hummingbirds through late summer.
- Petunias – These popular garden flowers, especially red and purple varieties, provide an excellent nectar source.
- Honeysuckle – Hummingbirds enjoy feeding on the nectar-rich flowers of this vine.
- Fuchsia – The long, vibrant flowers on these shrubs make their nectar easily accessible to hummingbirds.
- Columbine – The red and yellow blooms are specially adapted to the long beaks and tongues of hummingbirds.
Planting a mix of these and other tubular, nectar-rich flowers will help attract hummingbirds to your yard or garden.
Best places to see hummingbirds
Here are some top destinations for seeing hummingbirds in the wild:
Ecuador
Ecuador has over 130 species of hummingbirds, the highest diversity in the world. Many reserves and lodges in the Amazon and Andes provide excellent birdwatching opportunities, especially at feeders.
Southeastern Arizona
Up to 15 species of hummingbirds can be found along southeastern Arizona’s riparian corridors, canyons, and sky islands including rare Berylline hummingbirds.
Central Mexico
The mountain forests of central Mexico’s Transvolcanic Belt are home to dazzling hummingbirds like the emerald-chinned hummingbird and the white-eared hummingbird.
Costa Rica
Nearly 50 species of hummingbirds are found across Costa Rica’s rainforests and cloud forests, from the resplendent quetzal to the fiery-throated hummingbird.
The Andes of Colombia
Colombia’s Andean region has nearly 170 species of hummingbirds, the world’s richest diversity. Marvelous spatuletails and colorful pufflegs abound.
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Texas
This refuge near the Mexico border regularly hosts rare hummingbirds like buff-bellied hummingbirds and violet-crowned hummingbirds.
Hotspots in Peru
Top hummingbird destinations include Machu Picchu, Manu Biosphere Reserve, Abra Malaga, and Marvelous Spatuletail Nature Reserve.
Hummingbird migration
Most hummingbirds migrate or move seasonally to follow the bloom of nectar-rich flowers and availability of insects:
- In early spring, ruby-throated hummingbirds fly from Central America up into the eastern United States and Canada.
- Rufous hummingbirds migrate in spring from Mexico up the Pacific Coast to Alaska and Canada, then back south in late summer.
- Costa’s hummingbirds and Allen’s hummingbirds migrate seasonally across California and the Southwest U.S.
- Tropical species like the ruby-topaz hummingbird move altitudinally up and down the Andes Mountains chasing flower seasons.
- Some species like Anna’s hummingbird and buff-bellied hummingbird may reside year-round in some warmer regions.
Banding stations and citizen science projects track hummingbird migration and provide feeders to fuel up the tiny migrants.
Threats to hummingbirds
Some key threats facing hummingbird populations include:
- Habitat loss – Logging, agriculture, development destroys the forests and meadows hummingbirds rely on.
- Climate change – Flower blooming and insect emergence are shifting, disrupting migration and breeding.
- Pesticides – Chemicals reduce insect prey and can poison hummingbirds.
- Window collisions– Hummingbirds frequently fly into windows, mistaking reflections for habitat.
- Outdoor cats – Predation by cats kills billions of birds each year, including hummingbirds.
Protecting and restoring habitats, reducing carbon emissions, eliminating pesticide use, preventing window collisions, and keeping cats indoors can all help conserve hummingbird populations at-risk from these threats.
Interesting hummingbird facts
- A hummingbird’s heart rate can reach up to 1,260 beats per minute.
- Hummingbirds have weak feet and can barely walk. They prefer to fly or perch.
- Their rapid wing beats make a humming or buzzing sound, explaining their name.
- Hummingbirds can fly 25-30 miles per hour and dive up to 60 mph.
- They consume up to twice their body weight in nectar each day and feed 5-8 times an hour.
- Their long, specialized tongues can flick 13-17 times per second when feeding.
- Many hummingbird species are highly territorial and aggressively defend their feeding areas.
- Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backwards.
- They have excellent memories and return to reliable food sources each year.
- Hummingbird species range from the tiny bee hummingbird up to the 8-inch giant hummingbird.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds are a unique and captivating part of nature in the Americas. Their speed, agility, bright colors, and amazing adaptations make them rewarding to observe in the wild. Providing habitat with flowering plants, water, and shelter will help attract these energetic creatures. Reducing threats and being mindful of migration patterns aids in their conservation. With over 300 different species, each region offers unique opportunities to enjoy the magic and mystery of hummingbirds in their native environments.