What is the total number of different species of hummingbirds?
There are more than 330 different types of hummingbirds found in the Western Hemisphere.
In the spring, several dozen species of hummingbirds make their way to the United States to breed, much to the delight of people who observe birds.
The question “What color are hummingbirds?” is difficult to answer when identifying these birds.
The intricate pigmentation structures in the feathers of several species of hummingbirds allow for the display of vivid colors such as blue, green, red-orange, and magenta.
These colors are apparent to the human eye. The length of a hummingbird can range from less than 3 inches to approximately 5 inches.
The world’s smallest birds are intriguing creatures capable of flying at more than 30 miles per hour, with their wings beating 10 to 80 times per second.
Their hearts can beat as fast as 1,260 times per minute when flying at maximum speed.
Different Types of Hummingbirds
To further aid you in identifying hummingbirds, we have provided a list of the 21 different types of hummingbirds.
1. Green-Breasted Mango
The green-breasted mango is a more prominent hummingbird species measuring four and a half inches long. It has a slightly curved bill and outer tail feathers ranging from deep magenta to purple-wine tipped in black.
Females have outer tail feathers banded in magenta and iridescent dark blue and pointed white tips. The upper parts of males are a dazzling bright green, and they have a black throat and chest with a blue-green color and bright green flanks.
The green-breasted mango is a bright hummingbird species and one of the large species. The green-breasted mango loves forest margins and clearings in tropical lowlands from eastern Mexico to the northern sections of South America for its habitat, and its range extends from these areas.
2. Amethyst-Throated Mountaingem
Second on our list of different types of hummingbirds is the Amethyst-Throated mountaingem. Because of its vivid rosy-pink gorget, the amethyst-throated mountaingem is not hard to spot.
Both males and females have straight black bills of medium length, a white stripe behind the eye, dark cheek feathers, and a broad forked tail with gray tips.
All females share the same color except for a cinnamon-colored throat. This huge type can reach up to 5 inches in length. Although it is relatively common in Central America, it does not travel to the United States.
The amethyst-throated mountaingem is a rare species found only in Mexico. However, it also resides in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, which favors a subtropical or tropical montane forest.
3. Cinnamon Hummingbird
The cinnamon hummingbird gets its name from the cinnamon coloration of its underparts. Measuring between 3.5 and 4.5 inches in length, it has metallic bronze and green on its upper parts; its chin and upper throat are a milder rufous-cinnamon color, and its tail is a rich cinnamon-rufous-chestnut color.
The cinnamon hummingbird stays in the dry tropical lowlands, scrubby woodland, gardens, and semi-open regions with blooming trees in Northwestern Mexico instead of Costa Rica.
4. Rufous Hummingbird
Although people refer to it as the yellow hummingbird, the rufous hummingbird is the only species of hummingbird native to North America that has a rufous back.
Its name is, therefore, appropriate. This medium-sized hummer measures 3.5 inches and is known to be the most combative and extremely possessive regarding food and habitat.
Both sexes have a uniformly rufous appearance, straight black bills of medium length, and tails that may be folded into a point when extended. Males have an orange-red forget.
The females of the species have rufous patches in their green tails, a pint of reddish-orange on the front of their throats, and green feathers above their rufous flanks.
After breeding in Southern Alaska, Western Canada, and the United States Pacific Northwest, they return to Mexico through the Rocky Mountains and continue migrating through the Pacific states.
5. Rivoli’s Hummingbird
The Rivoli’s hummingbird is the second-largest hummer on our list of different types of hummingbirds, Endemic to Mexico, measuring 5 inches in length.
It has a short neck, a broad head, and a lengthy tail. The males of the species have a violet-blue-purple crown and a green throat.
The upper parts of a female are green, while the lower parts are gray, and they have a white streak that extends behind their eyes.
The Rivoli’s hummingbird is quite big, but you can also tell by its characteristic green throat, violet crown, and white patch behind the eye. Their large size is the first clue to their identity.
The high forests and shaded gorges found from Nicaragua to the extreme Southwest of the United States are where Rivoli’s hummingbirds feel most at home.
6. Green Violet-Ear
The green violet-ear hummingbird, also known as the Mexican violet-ear, can be identified by its deep green iridescent plumage, contrasting the dark violet cheeks and breast patches.
They have a broad, dark blue tail band that is slightly notched here and there. Compared to the male’s length of 4.2 inches, the female’s chin band is thinner, and her plumage is a little less vibrant.
They can even be found in the Andes Mountains in northern Venezuela and Bolivia, although spending most of their time in the highlands of south-central Mexico and Central America.
They are occasionally seen in Southern California and throughout the Southwest and South of the United States.
7. Berylline Hummingbird
The Beryline Hummingbird cannot be left out when discussing different types of hummingbirds. Although sightings of these birds within Mexican borders are uncommon, the berylline hummingbird is easy to identify in the United States due to its vivid metallic olive-green head, rufous wings, and rump.
The tail and prominent wings are rufous and forked, with gray underparts. The male’s bill is straight and slender, black on top and red-orange on the bottom. Berylline hummingbirds are approximately 4.14 inches long.
They build their nests in the dense undergrowth of Mexico and Central America and occasionally venture as far south as Southeastern Arizona.
8. Magnificent Hummingbird
Formerly known as Rivoli’s hummingbird, This superb hummingbird measures 4.5 and 5.5 inches in length and is the second-largest hummer found north of Mexico.
The Rivoli’s hummingbird is sociable because it frequently feeds near people within its natural environment.
Males have iridescent and vivid blue-green gorgets, while their chests and upper parts are glossy bronze-green. They have a violet crown on top of their otherwise blackheads.
The upper portions of a female are bronze-green, while the underparts are dull gray, and their gray throats feature a subtle streaking pattern. Both have white stripes across their heads and tend to be aggressive and territorial.
They choose to raise their young in the mountainous regions of Arizona and southwest New Mexico. However, they have been spotted occasionally in other states and as far north as Kansas, Minnesota, and Wyoming. They spend the coldest months of the year in Mexico and Central America.
9. Blue-Throated Hummingbird
The blue-throated hummingbird is the largest hummingspecies on this list of different types of Hummingbirds native to North America. Both sexes have white stripes and gray underparts running down the middle of their cheeks.
The gorget of males has a brilliant, iridescent blue color, whereas the neck of females is gray in tone. During the courting process, members of both sexes sing intricate melodies, usually in duets.
They favor canyon streams and flower banks and barely cross the border into Texas, New Mexico, and Southeastern Arizona.
10. Calliope Hummingbird
The calliope hummingbird is the only hummer species with a streaking throat on this list of different types of Hummingbirds, and it is also the smallest bird found in North America.
The male’s gorget is marked with V-shaped streaks of magenta, while the gorget of the female has red marks. Both sexes have green coloring on their backs.
However, males have a green “vest” on their upper backs, while females have a pinkish underbelly. The bills and tails of calliope hummingbirds are short.
During the winter, Calliope hummingbirds fly up the coast of California to British Columbia from Central America, Mexico, and the southwestern United States. They reproduce in mountain meadows, open forests, and aspen thickets along streams.
11. Black-Chinned Hummingbird
Despite its name, One can identify the black-chinned hummingbird from other similar species by its purple band and white collar on its throat.
The head, back, and flanks of males are green or grayish-green, with a white spot behind each eye. Their tails each have a distinct fork in them.
The females are quite similar in appearance to the males, except that their necks may have green streaks, and the tips of their tails are white.
This bird measures 3.5 inches in length, and instead of singing, it makes a sound similar to a low whistle. The average height of their nests is less than ten feet off the ground. They go through the interior of Mexico on their way from the Gulf Coast to the West Coast.
12. Broad-tailed Hummingbird
The broad-tailed hummingbird cannot be exempted when exploring different types of Hummingbirds. Most people frequently confuse it with the ruby-throated hummingbird; however, One can easily identify this species from its red or pinkish throat, though the necks of females are speckled.
You might hear a zinging or metallic trill from their wings while in flight. The rosy red or pinkish coloration of broad-tailed hummingbirds’ necks makes them easy to recognize. These birds usually measure between 4 to 4.2 inches.
You can spot a broad-tailed hummingbird from the western slopes of the United States to the mountains of Central America. In contrast to the ruby-throated hummingbird, this hummingbird seldom ventures further east.
13. Allen’s Hummingbird
Allen’s hummingbirds are tiny and stocky (approximately 3.12 inches long) and have straight bills as long as their heads. Males have a coppery tail, eye patch, and belly, in addition to a bronze-green back with a deep red-orange gorget and a deep red forget.
When in flight, their tails are longer than their wings. The males will perform their mating ritual by flying from side to side while generating a buzzing sound similar to a bumblebee.
Allen’s hummingbirds breed in patches of coastal forest, scrub, and chaparral up the west coast into southern Oregon.
14. Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s hummingbird is the only species with a red crown among different types of hummingbirds, and it also has the most extensive year-round distribution of any hummer.
The body is mostly green and gray, and there is neither orange nor rufous coloring anywhere. The males’ heads and throats have pinkish-red coloration, extending down their necks’ sides.
The females of the species have red dots on their necks and green crowns. Both have bills that are straight and somewhat small, and they have large tails.
The wingtips of Anna’s hummingbirds come together with the tips of their tails while the birds are perched. When perched, they emit sounds similar to “chipping” and “pipping,” as well as a high-pitched, scratchy buzz. They are more aggressive and predatory than the other species of hummingbirds.
The southern part of Alaska, Saskatchewan, Florida, Louisiana, New York, and Newfoundland have all reported sightings of them.
15. Plain-Capped Starthroat
Plain-capped starthroats are another member of the mountain gem genus. These birds are native to the arid woods of Mexico and Central America and only occasionally go into Arizona. It’s about the size of a medium-sized Hummer, but its bill is exceptionally long and completely straight.
Both sexes have an iridescent bronze-green back and head, pale gray underparts, and a slightly notched bronze-green tail with a white-tipped black terminal band.
Both sexes’ faces are white, and the eye stripes on the face are black. They prefer to feed on insects rather than nectar.
Although they stay in lowland areas close to streams, open lower portions of canyons, and dry forests in Mexico and Central America, they rarely get to Arizona.
16. Costa’s Hummingbird
Costa’s hummingbird is one of the smallest, measuring only 3.5 inches long. The gorgets of males are iridescent and deep violet-purple, reaching down the sides of their necks.
The heads of males are bright violet-purple. Their legs and feet are black; their backs are green, and their underparts are pale gray with dull green flanks.
The necks and underparts of females are white. The males make a whistling sound that is thin and high-pitched.
They thrive in desert washes and dry scrubs from Central California to Southern Nevada and in Southwestern Utah, Arizona, and Baja California, where they serve as pollinators of cactus.
17. White-Eared Hummingbird
This medium-sized (3.4 inches), stocky hummer is common in the highlands of the American Southwest. It is the only species on our list of different hummingbirds with a long white stripe behind the eye, a red-orange bill with a black tip, and a violet crown.
White ears are most commonly seen in the high mountain forests of Mexico. Still, they also reside in the canyons of the southwestern United States, particularly in southeast Arizona, southwest New Mexico, and Texas.
18. Xantus’s Hummingbird
The Xantus hummingbird is a rare species endemic to the southern portion of the Baja California peninsula. It measures between 3 to 3.2 inches in length. They have a predominantly green coloration on their backs and upper parts.
Both sexes share a white eye stripe with black stripes on the bottom, just like the white-eared hummingbird to whom they are related. The males have an iridescent green coloration on the neck. They have crimson bills that taper to a black tip, and their crowns are green.
19. Buff-Bellied Hummingbird
Going further into different types of hummingbirds, we have the buff-bellied hummingbird. It is the only species that routinely nest in South Texas; it is only partially migratory and frequently spends the winter along the Gulf Coast.
This larger hummer species measures 4.2 inches long and has a metallic olive-green back, a buff belly, and a slightly forked rufous tail. The underwings have a white color. The males have a red bill that is very slim and straight, with a black tip at the end.
In addition to that, they have a gorget that is metallic green. The females are similar in appearance to the males, although their colors aren’t quite as vibrant, and their upper bills are darker.
The area around the Gulf Coast in South Texas, particularly the thickets and timber margins, is common for the Buff-Bellied Hummingbird to reside.
20. Bumblebee Hummingbird
The bumblebee hummingbird measures less than 7.5 centimeters (3 inches) in length, making it one of the tiniest Birds native to North America.
It gets its name from an insect of a comparable size that buzzes in a manner analogous to that produced by the hummer’s wings.
It also flies in an erratic way to evade the attention of potential predators. The upper parts of both sexes have metallic bronze-green colors, while the breasts and chests are white.
Although they are most common in the shrubby clearings and borders of Mexico’s highland pine-oak forests, Bumblebee Hummingbirds occasionally appear in Southern Arizona.
21. Broad-Billed Hummingbird
The broad-billed hummingbird comes last on this list of different types of hummingbirds; it is a small species of hummingbird, measuring just 3.4 inches in length. It has a long, straight red-orange bill and a blue-green chin and throat.
Males are a rich, dark green color, and they have white under tail coverts and gorgets that are a glittering blue. The females are golden-green on top and gray on the bottom, with a white line running behind each eye. In addition, males have rounder edges on their tails, while females’ tails have squared corners.
They prefer to set up their nests in mountainous regions of Mexico, Arizona, and New Mexico, specifically near canyons filled with streams.
