Hummingbird Species | 10 Most Common Hummingbird Species

There are over 350 species of hummingbirds all over the world. All these hummingbird species are very common in size and shape. All these species of hummingbirds vary widely in their colors. So, we can say the Hummingbird family is very large, which is mostly found in the South of the U.S, Western Hemisphere, and between the 10 degrees of the north and south of the equator.

These birds are considered in the smallest family of birds due to their small size. The maximum species of hummingbirds only measure 3 to 5 inches in size. Hummingbirds are also considered migrating birds due to their different migration routes all year. Many species of Hummingbirds spend their winter in Central America or Mexico and move to the north in the breeding season. There are very few species of hummingbirds which you can see around all the year. Let’s see some common Hummingbird species.

1. Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are mainly found in the eastern half of the United States and Canada. If you live in these areas, you may only observe the ruby-throated Hummingbird around you. This species of Hummingbird can be attracted by the nectar feeders or by planting lots of plants.

A male ruby-throated hummingbird has a bright red throat with a black chin and a mask that extends behind the eyes. The top of their head is red, and the underside is grey. Females are not brighter like male. Their chin and throat are white with pale green streaks. This species of Hummingbird mostly spends its winter in southern Mexico.

2. Anna’s Hummingbird

If you are living on the pacific coast, you will mostly observe Anna’s Hummingbird around. These are mostly year-round residents. You can easily attract this species of Hummingbirds by making simple nectar at home.

A male, Anna’s Hummingbird, has a pinkish-red throat and hood, and the underparts are usually a mix between gray and green. The tail and the back of Anna’s Hummingbird is dark green.  When we talk about the female Anna’s Hummingbird, these are duller than the males. The tail of the female Anna’s Hummingbird has a white tip. Many female Anna’s hummingbirds have a purple or red patch on their throat. This species of hummingbirds is relatively different from the other species as they don’t migrate much. You can observe Anna’s hummingbirds around the year if you are living in an area from British Columbia to northern Mexico.

3. Rufous Hummingbird

Rufous hummingbirds are the aggressive type of hummingbirds and can drive away from the other hummingbirds from the feeders. You can use hummingbird feeders full of homemade nectar to attract this species of hummingbirds.

The males have bright copper-orange on their back and sides of the belly. They have a reddish-orange throat. Usually, the male Rufous hummingbirds have a small size as compared to the other hummingbird species. The females have a green crown neck and back. Some females Rufous hummingbirds also have a red or orange spot on their throat. You can find the Rufous hummingbirds on the pacific coast in spring and on the grounds of Oregon during the summer season.

4. Black-chinned Hummingbird

As clear from the name, this species of Hummingbirds can be recognized from their black chin. You can easily attract this Hummingbird by using the bird feeder in your garden. A fresh nectar feeder is a good attraction for hummingbirds. The eggs of this species of hummingbirds are only about the size of a coffee bean.

A male black-chinned Hummingbird can easily be recognized by its metallic green body with white breast and greenish flanks. They have a black color head with iridescent lower throat while the females have a greenish-grey cap on their heads and green on the back. The female’s throat is usually dark-spotted grey. You can find the black-chinned hummingbirds in southern British Columbia, many western states, northern Mexico, and central Texas during the breeding season. You can easily find this species of hummingbirds in many habitats like a mountain, alpine meadows, canyons, orchards, urban areas, and recently distributed areas.

5. Calliope Hummingbirds

Calliope Hummingbird is considered the smallest bird in the United States. It has only four inches long and weighs between 2 to 3 grams. You can easily attract this species with the hummingbird feeders with fresh nectar. Although these have very small sizes but some they are observed to in chasing the other birds, even the red-tailed hawks as well.

When we talk about the male Calliope Hummingbird, they have magenta throat feathers. Their head and upper body parts are metallic green with a white breast. Sometimes males perform the unique U-shaped dive to impress the females. The females have a white throat with small dark spots and metallic green heads and back. This species of Hummingbird is also known for its long migration routes. You can see the Calliope hummingbirds in Mexico during winter, on the coast of California during spring migration, and anywhere from central British Columbia during the breeding season.

6. Costa’s Hummingbird

Costa’s Hummingbird is another one of the main species found in the United States. This species of the Hummingbird like to visit the nect6ar feeder and enjoy eating spiders, sap, and insects. They also like to get natural nectar from the flowers. According to some research, it is found that Costa’s Hummingbird visits almost 1800 flowers per day.

The male Costa’s hummingbirds have large iridescent purple gorget. Usually, they have short tails as compared to the other hummingbirds. When we talk about the female Costa’s hummingbirds, they have a white throat and underbody parts with green head and back. Costa’s hummingbirds have a limited range as compared to the other hummingbirds. Moreover, the interesting about this species is their breeding place. They only breed in the deserts of the southwest United States and sometimes prefer the habitats surrounded by Cacti and Joshua trees. But you can observe these birds in southern California and Mexico during the winter season.

7. Broad-tailed Hummingbird

Broad-tailed hummingbirds are sometimes mixed with ruby-throated hummingbirds due to their color combination and look. But you can easily tell apart due to their different ranges. They are usually live in the western half of the United States.

The adult male broad-tailed hummingbird have white breast, buffy flanks, and greenheads, back, and tail. You can also observe them with the red throat. Females are usually larger than males. A female broad-tailed hummingbird has a lightly speckled throat, white upper breast, and green head and back. Broad-tailed hummingbirds are known as the birds of the mountain meadows. They usually breed at elevations up to 10,500 feet. This species of Hummingbirds only stay one month in the United States.

8. Allen’s Hummingbirds

You can only see Allen’s Hummingbirds if you are living along the California coast. This species of the Hummingbird is very close to the Rufous hummingbirds. You can easily attract this species of the Hummingbird by setting the feeder or planting the hummingbird garden. The interesting fact about this species is that the male and female Allen’s hummingbirds set their territory in different habitats. The female Allen’s Hummingbird visits the male territory during the breeding season and goes back after mating.

The male Allen’s hummingbirds are usually small and compact in size with copper-colored sides, belly, rump, and tail. They have a straight black bill with a white breast. Usually, the males have a reddish-orange throat. When we talk about the females, they are usually like males with a bit duller colors. Moreover, they have a small patch of colors on their throat. You can see Allen’s Hummingbirds in Southern California during the breeding season. This species of the Hummingbird like to live in coastal chaparral, brushlands, and the edges of redwood forests.

9. Berylline Hummingbird

Berylline Hummingbird is another common species of the Hummingbird, which is also known as the Amazilia beryllia due to its rare visiting of Southeastern Arizona. You can easily attract this species of hummingbirds by using the nectar feeders and planting the hummingbird garden. These birds size is around 4 inches.

When we talk about their look, they have a brilliant green head and chestnut wings, rump, and tail. They have a straight bill with blacktop and red-orange below. They are very rare visitors to Mexico and Texas.

10. Green-breasted Mango Hummingbird

Green-breasted Mango hummingbird is commonly found Hummingbird from Eastern Mexico to northern South America. Their name comes from their deep green color. When we talk about their size, they have almost 4 inches in length. You can attract this species of the Hummingbird by using the fresh nectar feeders.

When we talk about their look, they have curved bills and purplish color in outer tail feathers. Usually, the males are deep green, and the females have broad blackish-green strips on the underparts. These hummingbirds are considered very rare visitors to Texas.

Some rare Hummingbird Species 

There are 350 plus species of hummingbirds that are there, as discussed above as well. All the above-listed species are very common and can easily be observed along with the different parts of the United States. Let’s see some of the species which are rarely found all over America.

1. Broad-billed Hummingbird

This is a rarely found species of hummingbirds all over the United States. It is also a colorful and beautiful hummingbird like the other species. Sometimes you can observe this species in southern Arizona and New Mexico.

2. Violet-Crowned Hummingbird

This species of Hummingbirds is a little common in Mexico.  You can observe this species with a pure white belly and bright red bill.

3. Blue-throated Mountain-gem

This is a very rare hummingbird specie all over the United States. Sometimes you can observe this species in southeastern Arizona.

4. Lucifer Hummingbird

You can observe the male Lucifer Hummingbird with a vivid purple throat in northern Mexico. But some of the Lucifer Hummingbirds also travel through Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas as well.

5. Buff-bellied Hummingbird

This is another rare species of Hummingbirds in the United States. You can observe this species in Texas and Louisana. They usually move to Gulf Coast in the breeding season.

6. White-eared Hummingbird

White-eared Hummingbirds are usually recognized by the white stripe behind their ears. Both males and females have a blackhead.