Did you know that hummingbirds flap their wings in the shape of number eight, to hover? These small, colorful birds have long beaks and are named for their humming sound when they rapidly flap their wings.
These colorful birds that you often see lingering around the flowers sucking their nectars have almost 366 different types of species. Our Hummingbird species chart aims to make this tedious task of identifying them easier for you.
So let’s get on with it!!!
Table of Contents
How can you tell a hummingbird?
Hummingbirds weigh from 2-20 grams. They have small bodies, with long, thin beaks and small saber-shaped wings. The most unique physical characteristic of hummingbirds is their needle-like beak.
They’re unusually long and thin for an average bird’s overall size, its beak is a conduit for the bird’s long, flexible tongue, sucking nectar from sources, flowers, and feeders.
Their color patterns are difficult to distinguish on small bodies and can look different when viewed from different angles. Hummingbirds can be dark or black in low light.
A newborn hummingbird is the size of a plump raisin at birth. They don’t have fluffy feathers, just straw-like yellow hairs that hang down the middle of their backs. They have closed eyes and black bodies.
| Hummingbird Species | Characteristics | Habitat | Range | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruby-throated | Male: Bright red throat patch | Woodlands, gardens | Eastern North America | 7-9 cm |
| Anna’s | Male: Iridescent pink-red crown and throat | Gardens, open woodland | Western North America | 9-10 cm |
| Black-chinned | Male: Black throat with purple band | Desert scrub, gardens | Western North America | 8-10 cm |
| Broad-tailed | Male: Rose-red throat, metallic green back | Mountains, meadows | Western North America | 9-10 cm |
| Rufous | Male: Orange-red throat, brown back and sides | Woodlands, gardens | Western North America | 7-9 cm |
| Allen’s | Male: Coppery-red throat patch, green back | Chaparral, gardens | Western North America | 8-9 cm |
| Calliope | Male: Magenta throat patch, green back | Mountains, meadows | Western North America | 7-8 cm |
| Costa’s | Male: Purple crown, iridescent pink throat patch | Desert scrub, gardens | Southwestern North America | 8-10 cm |
| Violet-crowned | Male: Violet crown, green back | Arid scrub, riparian areas | Southwestern North America | 8-9 cm |
Characteristics of a Hummingbird
Hummingbirds are unique in their size, most of their species have a length of 5 to 22 cm. Many hummingbirds can hybridize, including Anna’s, Black-browed, Allen’s, Kostin’s, Rufous, Organic, and Broad-tailed hummingbirds. This is one of the factors that make hummingbird identification difficult.
Hummingbirds are amazing creatures with some unique characteristics, which can be used to identify these lovely birds.
Flight: These are the only birds that possess the ability to fly backward, upside down, and hover. Hummingbirds can move their wings in Figure eight pattern to achieve these remarkable flight movements.
Metabolism: Hummingbirds have an extremely high metabolism which supports their active lifestyle. They must consume large amounts of food, mainly nectar, to maintain their continued activity.
Size: Despite their small size, hummingbirds have relatively large brains and strong memories that allow them to remember the location of individual flowers and feeders.
Reproduction: Hummingbirds start mating at one year of age. Their eggs are the size of a pea. Female hummingbirds usually lay only two eggs during mating.
Lifespan: The typical lifespan of a wild hummingbird is five to twelve years, depending on the species, habitat conditions, predators, and other threats to the hummingbird.
Feeding Behaviour: Their long, specialized beaks and extendable tubular tongues allow them to feed on nectar. For proteins they also consume small insects and spiders.
Colorful feathers: Hummingbirds are known for their bright and colorful feathers that change color depending on the angle of the light.
These characteristics make hummingbirds truly fascinating and unique in the world of birds.
Also read: Sparrow Id Chart
Appearance of a Hummingbird
Hummingbirds have a unique morphology with small, smooth body, long wings, and a long, thin beak. Both male and female hummingbirds have greenish upper bodies. The sex of hummingbirds can be distinguished simply by their throat (gorget) shape, the color of their feathers, their breast and body color and pattern.
Male hummingbirds have bright plumage to attract females and repel males by marking their preference. Males (and sometimes females) usually have a colored neck – small, hard-colored feathers with a strong reflection on the neck and upper chest.
Colors of Female Hummingbird
When it comes to hummingbirds, the focus is usually on the beautiful, colorful males. Female birds are more subtle in color, possess a remarkable allure, and are usually less attractive in behavior. Hence, female hummingbirds can be a challenge to identify.
Generally, Female hummingbirds are larger than males. They are also darker in color, with feathers varying between brown, white, and dark green. Juvenile female hummingbirds are easier to identify because they look almost identical to full-grown female hummingbirds when they emerge from the nest.
Also read: Owl Id Chart
Conclusion
Hummingbird is a majestic creature and is also considered as a sign of peace and love in various regions. With over 300 species the information given above will serve as a guide.
Our hummingbird species chart is not exhaustive at all, we will continue to update our chart as this bird continues to fascinate the world. Until then use the information given above to identify this little bird, the next time it sits in your backyard.