Hummingbirds are found naturally only in the Americas. Of the over 330 known hummingbird species, the majority are distributed in South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Brazil has the highest diversity of hummingbird species, with over 160 recorded species. Colombia and Ecuador also have very high hummingbird diversity, with around 130-140 species each. Peru, Bolivia, and Venezuela each have over 100 hummingbird species. In terms of total hummingbird population, Mexico likely has the largest, as over 25 hummingbird species breed there. The United States and Canada combined have around 16 regularly occurring hummingbird species, though vagrants from Mexico and southwards occasionally appear as well.
Hummingbirds are a diverse family of small, brightly colored birds specialized for hovering flight and feeding on nectar. They comprise the family Trochilidae and are found only in the Americas from Alaska to southern Chile. Of the over 330 recognized hummingbird species, the majority are residents of South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean islands. Only a handful of species regularly breed in the United States and Canada. However, vagrant hummingbirds from Mexico and points south occasionally make appearances far outside their normal range.
Hummingbirds are highly adapted for hovering flight and specialized nectarivory. Their rapid wing beats, which can exceed 80 per second in some species, allow them to maintain tight control of their position while feeding or engaging in aerial courtships. Long, slender bills and tongues with forked tips allow for accessing nectar deep within flowers. In many species, males have brightly iridescent plumage that flashes in the sunlight, likely to attract females. Hummingbirds also play an important ecological role as pollinators for many plant species.
While found on both sides of the equator, hummingbird diversity and abundance peak in tropical regions, particularly tropical South America. Brazil has recorded the most hummingbird species, with over 160, while Colombia and Ecuador each have 130-140 species. Other countries with very high diversity include Peru, Venezuela, and Bolivia. In terms of total population, Mexico likely supports the most hummingbirds as over 25 species breed there. The U.S. and Canada combined have only around 16 regularly occurring species, though vagrants do appear every year.
Hummingbird Diversity and Distribution in the Americas
Hummingbirds reach their greatest diversity in tropical regions of the Americas. Several factors contribute to this pattern:
- Higher species richness – More hummingbird species are present in tropical regions simply due to higher speciation rates in the tropics. There are over 25 species in Mexico alone.
- More food availability – Tropical regions have very high densities of flowering plants providing nectar.
- Constant warm temperatures – Hummingbirds are sensitive to cold and require high energy intake. Tropical climates allow year-round activity.
- Habitat heterogeneity – Tropical regions have diverse habitat types, which different hummingbird species specialize on.
Below is a summary of hummingbird diversity and abundance in major regions:
South America
South America has the highest overall hummingbird species richness, a pattern seen in many plant and animal groups. Colombia has recorded around 140 species and neighboring Ecuador around 130 species. Venezuela, Peru, and Bolivia each have over 100 resident hummingbird species. Brazil stands out with the highest national total, 160 recorded species. The Amazon rainforest region harbors very high numbers of hummingbird species, though species richness declines in more open habitats such as the cerrado savanna.
Central America and Mexico
Mexico has exceptional hummingbird diversity with over 25 breeding species, likely the highest national total. Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Panama have lower richness but still support dozens of resident species in habitats ranging from cloud forest to dry scrub. Overall population abundance reaches a peak in Mexico where hummingbird numbers are high even in urban areas.
Caribbean Islands
The Caribbean islands have lower hummingbird species richness than tropical continental areas, but a number of endemic species have evolved there. Cuba has the most with 5 endemic species, followed by Hispaniola and Jamaica with 2 endemic species each. Most islands have between 5-10 resident hummingbird species.
United States and Canada
The U.S. and Canada combined have just over 15 regularly occurring hummingbird species, mostly in the western states/provinces. However, dozens of vagrant species have been recorded, mostly from Mexico but a few from as far away as Panama. Southeastern Arizona and south Texas have the highest diversity due to proximity to Mexico. Some Mexican species are expanding their breeding ranges northward in response to climate change and habitat alterations.
Countries With the Most Hummingbird Species
The countries with the highest documented numbers of hummingbird species are all located in the neotropical region of the Americas:
| Country | Number of Species |
|---|---|
| Brazil | 160 |
| Colombia | 140 |
| Ecuador | 130 |
| Peru | 117 |
| Venezuela | 105 |
| Bolivia | 103 |
Brazil holds the record with 160 documented hummingbird species within its borders. Neighboring Colombia and Ecuador have the next highest totals with 140 and 130 species respectively. Several other South American countries – Peru, Venezuela, and Bolivia – have over 100 resident hummingbirds each. Clearly, tropical South America stands out as the center of hummingbird diversity.
Countries with the Largest Hummingbird Populations
Determining total hummingbird abundance is challenging due to their small size, rapid movement, and wide distribution. However, some countries stand out for likely having very large hummingbird populations:
| Country | Rationale for Large Population |
|---|---|
| Mexico | Over 25 breeding species, high urban densities, extensive tropical habitats |
| Brazil | Very high species richness, vast Amazon rainforest habitat |
| Ecuador | High species richness, species adapted to wide elevation range |
| Colombia | High species richness, extensive tropical forests and flower-rich scrub habitat |
| Costa Rica | Up to 17 breeding species, draws wintering migrants, forests and gardens with abundant flowers |
While lacking comprehensive census data, we can infer that Mexico, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, and Costa Rica likely have the largest hummingbird populations overall. They combine exceptional species richness with vast areas of hummingbird-friendly habitat. Mexico really stands out, with over 25 nesting species that thrive even in urban environments with ample exotic flowers. There are certainly tens of millions, and possibly hundreds of millions, of hummingbirds across Mexico and these other biodiversity hotspots in the Americas.
Which U.S. States Have the Most Hummingbird Species?
The U.S. states with the highest diversity of breeding and visiting hummingbird species are:
| State | Number of Species |
|---|---|
| Arizona | 12 |
| Texas | 11 |
| New Mexico | 10 |
| California | 8 |
| Florida | 8 |
Arizona tops the list with 12 species consistently observed, followed by Texas with 11. New Mexico and California have 10 and 8 reliably occurring species respectively. Florida also has 8 recorded species, though most are non-breeding migrants and vagrants from the Caribbean and Central America. The Southwest states (AZ, TX, NM, CA) have higher diversity due to their proximity to species-rich Mexico. Southeastern Arizona in particular draws many hummingbirds moving north from Mexico during summer and fall.
Conclusion
In summary, hummingbirds reach peak diversity and abundance in tropical regions of the Americas, particularly South America and Mexico. Brazil has the most recorded species at 160, though Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and others all have over 100 species. Mexico likely has the largest overall hummingbird population thanks to 25+ breeding species and high urban densities. In the U.S., southern and southwestern states have the highest hummingbird diversity due to migrations from Mexico. While some species have expanded northward, the tropics will continue to be the hummingbird hotspots due to the warm climate, habitat heterogeneity, and wealth of nectar sources there.
