Nebraska sits at the crossroads of eastern and western bird ranges, making it a fascinating state for hummingbird diversity.
While you’ll primarily encounter one common species, four additional western hummingbirds occasionally grace the state as migrants or rare vagrants, creating exciting opportunities for dedicated birders.
These five hummingbirds in Nebraska represent a spectrum from abundant summer residents to once-in-a-lifetime sightings.
Understanding each species’ timing, habitat preferences, and identifying features will enhance your birding adventures and help you appreciate Nebraska’s unique position in North American hummingbird migration patterns.
1. Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) dominates Nebraska’s hummingbird scene as the most common breeder and migrant throughout the state.
You’ll find these tiny jewels arriving in late April through early May, with peak numbers during migration in August and September.
Males display brilliant ruby-red gorgets that appear black in poor lighting, while females show clean white throats with subtle green backs.
Both sexes measure 3-4 inches long with relatively straight bills perfectly adapted for Nebraska’s native flowers and your backyard feeders.
Key Features:
- Males: Bright red throat, emerald green back
- Females: White throat, green crown and back
- Behavior: Aggressive at feeders, performs diving displays
- Habitat: Gardens, woodland edges, parks throughout Nebraska
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds nest from May through July, often raising two broods per season. Their nests, constructed with plant down and spider silk, typically sit on horizontal branches 10-20 feet high. During peak migration periods, you might observe dozens at a single feeder location.
Pro Tip: Set up multiple feeders in early August to accommodate migrating Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. They’ll defend individual feeders aggressively, so spacing them around corners or obstacles reduces territorial conflicts.
2. Rufous Hummingbird
The Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) appears as an uncommon migrant, primarily during fall months from July through September.
These western wanderers occasionally stray eastward during their post-breeding dispersal, making them Nebraska’s second most likely hummingbird encounter.
Adult males showcase brilliant orange-rufous plumage on their backs, sides, and tails, with iridescent orange-red gorgets.
Females and immature birds present more challenging identification, showing rufous in their tails and green backs similar to Ruby-throated females.
Distinguishing Features:
- Males: Orange-rufous back and sides, orange-red gorget
- Females: Rufous flanks, white-tipped outer tail feathers
- Size: Slightly smaller than Ruby-throated
- Voice: Distinctive high-pitched chips and buzzy calls
Rufous Hummingbirds follow an elliptical migration route, traveling north through Pacific states in spring and returning south through the Rocky Mountain corridor in fall. This pattern explains their irregular appearance in Nebraska during autumn months.
Common Mistake: Don’t assume every rufous-tinged hummingbird is a Rufous. Juvenile and female Ruby-throated Hummingbirds can show rufous tones, particularly on their flanks and undertail coverts.
| Species | Male Gorget | Female Throat | Tail Pattern | Peak Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruby-throated | Ruby red | White | Even green | May-September |
| Rufous | Orange-red | White/spotted | Rufous sides | July-September |
3. Calliope Hummingbird
The Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) ranks as a rare migrant occasionally spotted in western Nebraska.
North America’s smallest bird, these diminutive hummingbirds measure just 3.25 inches long and weigh less than a penny.
Adult males display distinctive streaked magenta gorgets rather than solid-colored throats, creating a unique “whisker” pattern.
Their compact size, short bills, and relatively short tails help distinguish them from other western species that might reach Nebraska.
Identification Points:
- Males: Streaked magenta gorget, white background
- Females: Peachy-buff wash on sides and flanks
- Size: Noticeably smaller than Ruby-throated
- Bill: Short and straight compared to other species
Calliope Hummingbirds prefer mountain meadows and open woodlands in their western range. Nebraska sightings typically occur during migration periods, particularly in late summer when post-breeding birds disperse eastward from their Rocky Mountain breeding grounds.
Key Takeaway: Calliope Hummingbirds’ small size becomes apparent when compared directly to Ruby-throated Hummingbirds at feeders. Their proportionally shorter wings and tails create a more compact silhouette.
4. Black-chinned Hummingbird
The Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) appears as a very rare visitor to Nebraska, classified primarily as a western vagrant.
These medium-sized hummingbirds occasionally wander eastward during migration, creating excitement among Nebraska’s birding community.
Males feature distinctive black gorgets with narrow purple bands at the bottom edge, visible only in perfect lighting conditions.
Their longer bills and slightly larger size help separate them from Ruby-throated males in mixed flocks.
Distinguishing Characteristics:
- Males: Black throat with thin purple base stripe
- Females: Nearly identical to female Ruby-throated
- Bill: Slightly longer and more curved than Ruby-throated
- Behavior: Less aggressive than Ruby-throated at feeders
Female and immature Black-chinned Hummingbirds present significant identification challenges, appearing virtually identical to Ruby-throated females.
Expert birders rely on subtle bill shape differences, behavioral cues, and seasonal timing to separate these species.
Most Nebraska records occur during late summer and early fall migration periods, when western species experience post-breeding dispersal.
Documented sightings remain rare enough that each occurrence warrants careful documentation and photography.
5. Broad-tailed Hummingbird
The Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) represents Nebraska’s rarest hummingbird, appearing as an extremely rare vagrant primarily in far western counties.
These Rocky Mountain specialists occasionally stray eastward during dispersal movements, creating once-in-a-lifetime birding opportunities.
Adult males produce distinctive wing trills during flight, created by modified outer primary feathers. Their rose-red gorgets and relatively large size help distinguish them from other western species that might reach Nebraska’s borders.
Notable Features:
- Males: Rose-red gorget, metallic wing trill in flight
- Females: Rufous wash on flanks, spotted throat
- Size: Larger and more robust than Calliope
- Sound: Unmistakable wing trill from males
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds inhabit high-elevation meadows and aspen groves throughout their western range. Nebraska encounters typically involve single birds during late summer dispersal periods, often at reliable feeding stations in the state’s western counties.
Pro Tip: Male Broad-tailed Hummingbirds’ wing trills carry considerable distances, often alerting observers to their presence before visual confirmation. This unique sound signature makes identification more reliable than visual features alone.
Conclusion
Creating optimal habitat attracts both common Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and increases your chances of spotting rare western vagrants. Plant native nectar sources like bee balm, cardinal flower, and trumpet vine alongside maintaining multiple sugar-water feeders.
Best Practices:
- Maintain clean feeders with fresh 1:4 sugar-to-water solution
- Position feeders near natural perches and shelter
- Plant diverse flowering species with staggered bloom times
- Keep detailed records of sightings with dates and photos
Citizen science projects benefit from accurate Nebraska hummingbird reports, contributing valuable data about migration timing and vagrant occurrences.
Your backyard observations help scientists understand changing distribution patterns and climate impacts on hummingbird populations.
The diversity of hummingbirds in Nebraska reflects the state’s unique geographic position and varied habitats.
While Ruby-throated Hummingbirds provide consistent viewing opportunities, remaining alert for western vagrants adds excitement to every birding season and contributes meaningful data to our understanding of these remarkable tiny migrants.
