Hummingbirds: Species, Identification, Feeding & Backyard Guide

Snowy-bellied hummingbird flying | Wirestock Creators

Hummingbirds are among the most extraordinary birds in the world. Tiny, brilliantly colored, and capable of hovering almost motionless in the air, they can transform an ordinary garden into one of the best birdwatching spots imaginable.

But there is much more to hummingbirds than their famous aerial acrobatics.

Hummingbirds comprise the bird family Trochilidae and occur naturally only in the Americas. More than 360 hummingbird species are known worldwide, with the greatest diversity occurring in Central and South America. More than a dozen species regularly spend the summer in the United States, while Mexico supports roughly 60 species.

Whether you are trying to identify the hummingbird hovering beside your flowers, wondering what to put in a hummingbird feeder, or hoping to attract more of these remarkable birds to your backyard, this guide is a great place to begin.

For more ways to bring birds closer to home, explore our complete Backyard Birding Guide and Bird Species Guide.

🌎 What Is a Hummingbird?

Hummingbirds belong to the family Trochilidae. They are native exclusively to the Americas and occur from Alaska and Canada south through the United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America.

Although hummingbirds vary considerably among species, they are generally very small birds with narrow bills, compact bodies, and specialized wings adapted for extremely maneuverable flight. Smithsonian’s National Zoo notes that hummingbirds typically weigh roughly 2 to 20 grams.

Their remarkable shoulder anatomy allows the wings to generate lift during both portions of the wing stroke. This makes it possible for hummingbirds to hover, fly forward, maneuver sideways, and even fly backward with astonishing precision.

Their name comes from the humming or buzzing sound created by their rapidly moving wings.

Many species are also famous for their iridescent plumage. Males often have intensely reflective feathers on the throat or head. The brightly colored throat patch seen in many species is known as a gorget.

The color can seem to disappear when the bird changes position. A Ruby-throated Hummingbird’s brilliant red throat, for example, can suddenly appear nearly black when light strikes the feathers from the wrong angle.

🔬 Scientific Classification

Classification	Hummingbird Taxonomy
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Apodiformes
Family	Trochilidae
Family Authority	Vigors, 1825
Type Genus	Trochilus
Type Genus Authority	Linnaeus, 1758

🐦 Common Hummingbird Species in North America

Hummingbird diversity is especially high in the American Southwest, but several species occupy enormous ranges across the continent.

Cornell Lab highlights nine particularly widespread or commonly encountered hummingbirds in the United States and Canada.

Species	Identification Clues	Where You May See It
Ruby-throated Hummingbird	Green upperparts; adult male has brilliant ruby-red throat	Most widespread hummingbird across eastern North America
Black-chinned Hummingbird	Greenish body; male has dark throat with violet lower edge	Widespread through western North America
Anna’s Hummingbird	Green body; male has spectacular rose-pink crown and throat	Pacific Coast and much of the western United States
Rufous Hummingbird	Adult male strongly orange-rufous with glowing orange-red throat	Western North America; extensive migrant
Calliope Hummingbird	Extremely small; male has streaklike magenta throat feathers	Mountainous western North America
Broad-tailed Hummingbird	Green body; male has rosy-red throat and distinctive wing trill	Mountain regions of western North America
Allen’s Hummingbird	Orange-rufous sides and tail; very similar to Rufous	Primarily coastal California and southern Oregon
Costa’s Hummingbird	Male has dramatic purple crown and flared purple throat	Deserts of the Southwest
Buff-bellied Hummingbird	Red bill, buff-colored belly and blue-green throat	Primarily South Texas and Gulf Coast regions

Several additional species may be encountered in the Southwest, particularly southern Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. These include the Broad-billed Hummingbird, Rivoli’s Hummingbird, Lucifer Hummingbird, Violet-crowned Hummingbird, and Blue-throated Mountain-gem.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

For millions of people in eastern North America, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is simply the hummingbird.

Adult males have an emerald-green back and a spectacular iridescent red throat. Females lack the bright red gorget and are generally green above with pale underparts.

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only hummingbird species that regularly breeds throughout most of eastern North America. Many eventually migrate to Mexico and Central America for the winter.

Anna’s Hummingbird

The Anna’s Hummingbird is one of the most recognizable hummingbirds of the Pacific Coast.

Adult males have a remarkable rose-pink to magenta crown and throat that can appear almost black when not illuminated properly.

Unlike many North American hummingbirds, Anna’s Hummingbirds are year-round residents through significant parts of their range. Their range has also expanded considerably over time, aided in part by gardens, flowering plants, and feeders.

Rufous Hummingbird

Few birds demonstrate that being tiny does not mean being timid.

Rufous Hummingbirds are famously aggressive around rich nectar sources and may chase other hummingbirds much larger than themselves.

They are also extraordinary migrants. Rufous Hummingbirds breed farther north than any other hummingbird and undertake migrations stretching thousands of miles between northern breeding areas and wintering grounds in Mexico.

Calliope Hummingbird

The Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest bird found in the United States and Canada.

Adult males can be recognized by their unusual magenta throat feathers, which form narrow streaks extending away from the center of the throat.

Despite their tiny size, Calliope Hummingbirds migrate more than 2,000 miles between breeding areas in western mountains and wintering areas farther south.

🔎 How to Identify a Hummingbird

Hummingbird identification can be deceptively difficult.

A bird may appear for only a few seconds, sunlight can dramatically change the appearance of iridescent feathers, and females and immature birds often lack the spectacular colors displayed by adult males.

Instead of relying on a single feature, look for several clues.

1. Start With Your Location

Geography may eliminate many possibilities immediately.

A hummingbird seen in Maine during summer, for example, is overwhelmingly likely to be a Ruby-throated Hummingbird. A bird visiting a feeder in Arizona could belong to several different species.

The Southwest has the greatest hummingbird diversity in the United States.

2. Consider the Season

Migration dramatically changes which hummingbirds may be present.

Some species occur only during the breeding season, others pass through during migration, and a few populations remain year-round.

An unusual hummingbird appearing during fall or winter therefore deserves an especially careful look.

3. Look at the Throat and Crown

Brightly colored throat and head feathers provide some of the easiest identification clues in adult males.

Examples include:

Ruby-red throat — Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Rose-pink crown and throat — Anna’s Hummingbird
Brilliant purple crown and throat — Costa’s Hummingbird
Magenta throat stripes — Calliope Hummingbird
Orange-red throat — Rufous Hummingbird

Remember that iridescent feathers may look dark or nearly black unless the bird and light are positioned correctly.

4. Examine the Tail

Tail color and shape can be extremely useful.

Rufous and Allen’s Hummingbirds, for instance, both show extensive rusty coloration and can be remarkably difficult to separate. Detailed examination of tail feathers is often needed for a confident identification.

5. Check the Bill

Look at:

bill length
whether it is straight or curved
bill color
proportions relative to the head

The Broad-billed Hummingbird, for example, is notable for the adult male’s colorful red-orange bill with a dark tip.

6. Listen

Some hummingbirds make surprisingly distinctive sounds.

Male Broad-tailed Hummingbirds produce a characteristic metallic trill with their wings during flight, while Anna’s Hummingbirds are relatively vocal and frequently give buzzy songs and calls.

If you are learning to identify birds in your yard, browse our Bird Identification Guides for more help.

A male violet-crowned hummingbird | Matthew Jolley

🌺 What Do Hummingbirds Eat?

Hummingbirds are often described as nectar feeders, but nectar is only part of their diet.

Flower nectar supplies the sugars needed to fuel their enormous energy demands. Hummingbirds also consume small insects and other arthropods, which provide important nutrients and protein. They may capture insects in flight, pick them from vegetation, or take tiny prey associated with spider webs.

That is one reason a hummingbird-friendly garden should provide more than a feeder.

Flowers, shrubs, trees, and insect-rich habitat collectively create a much more complete feeding environment.

🥤 How to Make Hummingbird Nectar

You do not need expensive commercial nectar.

A simple sugar-water solution closely approximates the sugar concentration found in many natural flower nectars.

Hummingbird Nectar Recipe

Use:

1 part refined white granulated sugar
4 parts water

For example:

¼ cup white sugar + 1 cup water

1 cup white sugar + 4 cups water

Dissolve the sugar thoroughly in the water and allow the mixture to cool completely before filling your feeder.

This 1:4 sugar-to-water ratio is recommended by major bird conservation organizations including the Cornell Lab and National Audubon Society.

Never Add Red Food Coloring

Hummingbird nectar should be clear.

Red dye is unnecessary. Hummingbirds can be attracted by red components on the feeder itself, and both Cornell and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service recommend avoiding food coloring in hummingbird nectar.

Avoid These Ingredients

Do not substitute:

honey
brown sugar
molasses
raw sugar
artificial sweeteners
food coloring

Plain refined white sugar and water are all you need.

🧼 How Often Should You Clean a Hummingbird Feeder?

Hummingbird feeders require more maintenance than ordinary seed feeders.

Sugar water can ferment or develop mold and microbial growth, especially during warm weather.

Audubon recommends cleaning feeders every two to three days, and even more frequently during particularly hot conditions. Nectar should be discarded immediately if it becomes cloudy or otherwise appears spoiled.

A good routine is:

Empty old nectar rather than continually topping it off.
Rinse and scrub the feeder thoroughly.
Clean all feeding ports and small crevices.
Refill with fresh nectar.
Increase cleaning frequency during hot weather.

A feeder that is easy to disassemble and scrub is usually a much better choice than an elaborate feeder that cannot be cleaned properly.

If you are shopping for feeding equipment, start with Bird Feeders 101: How to Choose the Perfect Feeder for Your Backyard.

📍 Where Should You Put a Hummingbird Feeder?

A good hummingbird feeder location balances visibility, safety, and comfort.

Look for a location:

close enough to the house for easy observation and cleaning
near flowers or other natural hummingbird habitat
with nearby trees, shrubs, or other perching opportunities
protected from the harshest afternoon sun where possible
where you can easily monitor nectar condition
away from locations easily reached by roaming cats

Shade can be especially useful because excessive heat speeds deterioration of sugar water.

For a broader look at feeder placement, read The Best Places to Hang Your Bird Feeder for Maximum Bird Watching.

🌸 Best Flowers for Attracting Hummingbirds

A hummingbird garden can be even more valuable than a feeder.

Hummingbirds are especially attracted to nectar-producing flowers, and tubular red, orange, and pink blossoms are often particularly appealing.

Useful hummingbird plants can include:

bee balm
cardinal flower
trumpet honeysuckle
hummingbird sage and other salvias
columbine
penstemon
native honeysuckles
flowering currants
native sages
other regionally appropriate nectar-rich wildflowers

The most beneficial choices depend on where you live.

Native plants are especially valuable because they can provide nectar while also supporting the insects that hummingbirds consume. Audubon recommends creating gardens with native flowers, vines, shrubs, and trees and choosing plants that bloom at different times so food remains available over a longer season.

A patio or balcony can help too. Even nectar-rich flowers growing in containers or hanging baskets may attract hummingbirds.

🏡 How to Create a Hummingbird-Friendly Backyard

The best hummingbird habitat provides much more than sugar water.

Plant a Variety of Native Flowers

Choose multiple species that flower at different times.

Instead of having one spectacular week of blooms, try to create a sequence of nectar sources extending through spring, summer, and fall.

Provide Trees and Shrubs

Hummingbirds spend plenty of time perched.

Trees and shrubs provide places for resting, territorial observation, nesting, protection from weather, and insect hunting.

Reduce Pesticide Use

Remember that hummingbirds eat insects.

A yard designed to eliminate every insect may also eliminate an important part of a hummingbird’s natural food supply. Audubon specifically recommends minimizing or eliminating pesticide use in hummingbird-friendly yards.

Provide More Than One Feeder

Hummingbirds can be intensely territorial.

One dominant bird may claim a feeder and repeatedly chase competitors away.

Multiple feeders positioned where one aggressive bird cannot easily watch them all can sometimes allow more hummingbirds to feed.

Add Water

Traditional deep bird baths are not always the favorite watering place of a hummingbird, but shallow moving water, dripping water, fine misters, or small fountains may attract them.

A diverse backyard habitat benefits far more than hummingbirds. See our Backyard Birding Guide for ideas on combining feeders, plants, water, shelter, and safe birdwatching spaces.

🪺 Do Hummingbirds Use Birdhouses?

No.

Hummingbirds are not cavity nesters, so conventional birdhouses and nest boxes do not attract them.

Female hummingbirds construct tiny open-cup nests, frequently on small branches or other protected horizontal supports.

Nest construction varies among species, but materials may include plant fibers, lichens, and spider silk. Spider silk helps create a flexible nest that can expand as nestlings grow. Audubon recommends retaining shrubs and small trees that provide suitable protective vegetation.

If you find an active hummingbird nest, enjoy it from a respectful distance rather than repeatedly approaching it.

✈️ Hummingbird Migration

Some hummingbirds are remarkable long-distance migrants.

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird migrates between North America and wintering areas primarily in Mexico and Central America. Some individuals make the demanding flight across the Gulf of Mexico.

Rufous Hummingbirds make one of the most extraordinary migrations relative to body size of any bird, traveling thousands of miles between northern breeding areas and Mexico.

Other species, including many Anna’s Hummingbirds, may remain in the same general region throughout the year.

Migration patterns mean the hummingbirds visiting your feeder in August or September may not be the same individuals you watched earlier in summer.

🍂 Should You Take Hummingbird Feeders Down in Fall?

One of the most persistent hummingbird myths is that leaving a feeder outside will prevent birds from migrating.

It will not.

Migration is controlled by biological and environmental cues including changing day length. Keeping a feeder available does not stop hummingbirds that normally migrate from beginning their journey.

In fact, late-season feeders can provide additional energy for migrants passing through from farther north.

Continue maintaining the feeder properly as long as hummingbirds are using it.

❄️ Do Hummingbirds Survive Cold Weather?

Despite their tropical-looking appearance, hummingbirds can be surprisingly tolerant of cold.

Some hummingbirds use torpor, a temporary state in which metabolism and body temperature decline dramatically, allowing them to conserve energy during the night or under difficult conditions. Smithsonian research and educational materials describe this behavior in species such as the Rufous Hummingbird.

Food availability can be more important than temperature alone. Cornell notes that some hummingbirds can withstand freezing conditions if adequate food remains available.

That does not mean every hummingbird spends winter in cold climates. Most migratory species still leave northern breeding areas during fall.

⚔️ Why Are Hummingbirds So Aggressive?

A hummingbird feeder can occasionally resemble a tiny aerial battlefield.

Chasing, diving, vocalizing, and defending nectar sources are normal hummingbird behaviors.

Nectar is an energy-rich resource, and hummingbirds may aggressively defend productive flower patches or feeders against competitors.

Rufous Hummingbirds are particularly famous for this behavior and may challenge birds considerably larger than themselves.

Providing several separated feeders may reduce the ability of one bird to monopolize the entire feeding area.

💡 Fascinating Hummingbird Facts

Hummingbirds occur naturally only in the Americas.
There are more than 360 species worldwide.
The Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest bird found in the United States and Canada.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds can cross the Gulf of Mexico during migration.
Rufous Hummingbirds breed farther north than any other hummingbird species.
Hummingbirds eat insects as well as nectar.
Their famous shimmering colors are produced largely by microscopic structures in the feathers interacting with light rather than ordinary pigment alone.
Hummingbirds can hover with extraordinary precision and maneuver backward as well as forward.

Male and Female Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds | Bonnie Taylor Barry

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common hummingbird in the eastern United States?

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the principal breeding hummingbird throughout eastern North America.

What is the correct hummingbird nectar recipe?

Mix one part refined white sugar with four parts water. Do not add food coloring.

Is red hummingbird nectar better?

No. Red food coloring is unnecessary. A feeder with red or colorful components can attract hummingbirds without coloring the nectar.

Do hummingbirds eat anything besides nectar?

Yes. Hummingbirds also eat small insects and other arthropods, providing protein and other nutrients that sugar water cannot supply.

How often should hummingbird nectar be changed?

Change and clean feeders every few days under normal conditions and more frequently during very hot weather. Immediately discard nectar that becomes cloudy or appears spoiled.

Will leaving my hummingbird feeder out stop migration?

No. Feeders do not prevent hummingbirds from migrating. Migration is driven primarily by biological cues such as changing day length.

Do hummingbirds use birdhouses?

No. Hummingbirds build small open-cup nests rather than nesting inside cavities or traditional birdhouses.

Why did my hummingbirds suddenly disappear?

Seasonal movements are common. Adult males may leave breeding areas before females and juveniles, while migrants from farther north may later pass through the same yard. Changes in flowering plants and other food sources can also alter feeder activity.

❤️ Welcoming Hummingbirds to Your Backyard

Few backyard birds provide quite the spectacle of a hummingbird.

A feeder may bring them close enough to appreciate their astonishing flight abilities, but the most successful hummingbird habitat goes much further.

Plant nectar-rich native flowers. Protect shrubs and trees. Allow healthy insect populations to survive. Keep feeders meticulously clean. Reduce pesticide use. Provide safe places to perch and rest.

Then watch.

The hummingbird that appears beside your flowers may have traveled hundreds or thousands of miles before reaching your yard — and for a few moments, your garden becomes part of its remarkable journey.

Continue exploring with our Bird Species Guide or discover more ways to welcome wild birds in our Backyard Birding Guide.