Top 15 Types Of Humming Birds (With Pictures)

Immerse yourself in the dazzling world of 15 hummingbird types, each with stunning photos that capture their unique beauty and allure.

variety of humming birds

Hummingbirds are remarkable for their vibrant colors and rapid wing flapping. The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird is known for its ruby-red throat and agile flight, prevalent in Eastern North America. The Anna's Hummingbird, displaying an iridescent pink crown, is commonly found along the West Coast and plays an important role in pollination. The Rufous Hummingbird, with its long migratory path and striking orange plumage, is also remarkable. Another species, the Blue-Throated Mountain Gem, showcases an electric blue throat and resides in Central America's highlands. Lastly, the Broad-Billed Hummingbird, with its vivid blue throat, thrives in the Southwestern United States and Mexico. Each species contributes uniquely to their ecosystems. Discover more about these fascinating birds and their diverse abilities.

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

tiny bird vibrant colors

The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, distinguished by its vibrant ruby-red throat, is a prevalent species in Eastern North America. Renowned for their migration patterns, these hummingbirds traverse up to 600 miles across the Gulf of Mexico.

They exhibit remarkable hovering agility, beating their wings 53 times per second, which also aids in pollinating flowers as they feed on nectar.

Anna's Hummingbird

vibrant feathered bird species

Anna's Hummingbird, distinguishable by its iridescent pink crown, thrives along the West Coast of North America.

This species, known for its iridescent feathers, plays a crucial role in pollination through its feeding on nectar.

Remarkably, it can enter a state of torpor to conserve energy, showcasing adaptability.

Found from British Columbia to Arizona, Anna's Hummingbird is an important pollinator in diverse ecosystems.

Rufous Hummingbird

small colorful migratory bird

Renowned for their impressive migratory journey, Rufous Hummingbirds travel up to 3,900 miles between Alaska and Mexico.

Males flaunt vibrant orange plumage and a red throat, while females display more subtle colors for nesting. They inhabit diverse environments like meadows and gardens.

Known for aggressive behavior, these birds fiercely defend their territories, dominating local habitats and other hummingbird species during migration.

Blue-Throated Mountain Gem

captivating costa rican hummingbird

Among the larger species of hummingbirds, the Blue-Throated Mountain Gem is distinguished by its striking electric blue throat and emerald-green body. Found in the highlands of Central America, this hummingbird species boasts vibrant colors and a larger size, measuring 4.4 to 5 inches.

The male's vivid electric blue throat contrasts sharply with the more subdued females, who lack this colorful feature.

Broad-Billed Hummingbird

colorful iridescent bird species

The Broad-Billed Hummingbird, known for its striking iridescent plumage, thrives primarily in the Southwestern United States and Mexico.

Males, with their vibrant blue throats, are particularly colorful.

These birds feed on nectar and insects, playing an important role as pollinators in their ecosystems.

Easily distinguishable, the male Broad-Billed Hummingbirds also nest in deciduous trees, enhancing their local environments.

Buff-Bellied Hummingbird

precise bird identification phrase

Despite its modest size, the Buff-Bellied Hummingbird captivates observers with its buffy underparts and rusty-colored tail. Native to North and Central America, it thrives in thorny forests and lush gardens.

This bird's diet consists primarily of nectar and arachnids, reflecting its vital ecological role. Its warm, cinnamon-colored plumage makes it a vibrant presence in its natural habitat.

Lucifer Hummingbird

vibrant iridescent small bird

The Lucifer Hummingbird stands out in the avian world due to its vibrant purple throat in males. Thriving in the arid regions of North America and migrating to Central Mexico, this medium-sized species is well-adapted to desert habitats. Nesting in thorny shrubs, they primarily feed on nectar, bringing a dash of radiant beauty to their challenging environments.

Rivoli's Hummingbird

vibrant green tropical bird

Moving from the desert-adapted Lucifer Hummingbird, Rivoli's Hummingbird offers another intriguing profile with its unique purplish crown and striking appearance. Known for reaching the northernmost range in the American Southwest, it captivates with bright white underparts and a black-tipped red bill.

Found primarily in desert habitats, Rivoli's Hummingbird, a species distinct since its 2017 split from the talamanca hummingbird, enchants bird enthusiasts.

Violet-Crowned Hummingbird

small iridescent green bird

Characterized by a luminous violet crown, the Violet-Crowned Hummingbird extends its breeding territory from Mexico into the U.S. states of Arizona and New Mexico.

This Mexican species, with its distinctive black-tipped red bill, favors riparian habitats near rivers and streams.

Encouraged to overwinter due to feeders, these hummingbirds are easily recognizable and enchanting in their preferred environments, showcasing bright white underparts and vibrant crowns.

White-Eared Hummingbird

captivating white eared hummingbird

Shifting focus to another unique species, the White-Eared Hummingbird showcases a striking white ear stripe that sets it apart in the diverse hummingbird family.

Native to Mexico and the Southwest U.S., these birds flourish in pine-oak and cloud forests, utilizing the rich nectar sources these habitats offer.

Their vibrant appearance and specialized habitats make them a fascinating subject for bird enthusiasts.

Black-Chinned Hummingbird

colorful black chinned hummingbird species

Among the various species of hummingbirds, the Black-Chinned Hummingbird is particularly notable for its distinctive black throat with a shimmering blue-violet gorget in males. Commonly found across the Western U.S., these birds thrive in urban areas, feeding on nectar and insects.

They typically nest in shrubs, making them a familiar sight for bird watchers who appreciate their unique presence and colorful interactions in natural and suburban settings.

Broad-Tailed Hummingbird

unique hummingbird species description

Broad-Tailed Hummingbirds, measuring between 3.1 to 3.5 inches in length, are renowned for their distinct, metallic trill that males emit during courtship displays.

These medium-sized birds migrate to Mexico for the winter, nest in coniferous trees, and sustain themselves on nectar from flowers.

Their loud metallic trill is especially noticeable during mating seasons, underscoring their unique presence in their native habitats.

Calliope Hummingbird

tiny colorful hummingbird species

The Calliope Hummingbird, North America's smallest bird species, captivates observers with its remarkably tiny stature and vibrant throat feathers. Inhabiting deciduous forests, these birds display unique courtship behavior, creating a buzzing sound to attract mates.

Their magenta-hued throat feathers and preference for tubular flowers highlight their distinctiveness within the diverse hummingbird family, illustrating their adaptation to North America's varied ecosystems.

Allen's Hummingbird

vibrant tiny bird species

Continuing our exploration of hummingbird diversity, Allen's Hummingbird, scientifically known as Selasphorus sasin, thrives primarily in California and southern Oregon. This species exhibits notable migratory behavior, with subspecies such as sasin migrating to central Mexico in winter.

Markedly, it features two subspecies, including the nonmigratory sedentarius. Males display vibrant orange-red throats and bronzy-orange tail feathers, distinctive of their small, 3.5-inch stature.

What are the differences between Humming Birds and Sparrow Birds?

Hummingbirds and sparrows differ in their size, appearance, and behavior. Hummingbirds are smaller, with vibrant plumage and a distinctive ability to hover. In contrast, types of sparrow birds with pictures reveal that sparrows are a bit larger and have more subdued coloring. They also tend to hop around on the ground.

Green-Breasted Mango

exotic bird with iridescent plumage

Inhabiting tropical lowland forests, the Green-breasted Mango, Anthracothorax prevostii, is a small hummingbird species noted for its dark green throat and chest coupled with warm cinnamon plumage.

These hummingbirds thrive on nectar sources and insects, engaging in meticulous nest building, primarily by the females.

Found from Mexico to the southwestern US, they exemplify adaptation to abundant nectar and arachnid-rich environments.