Species guide
Who's at your feeder?
East of the Great Plains the answer is almost always the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. West of it, things get interesting — these are the ten species a US feeder-watcher is likely to meet.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
The only hummingbird that breeds east of the Great Plains. Regular in 37 states.
Rufous Hummingbird
Selasphorus rufus
The longest migration of any hummingbird — Mexico to Alaska. Regular in 49 states.
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Archilochus alexandri
The West's adaptable everywhere-bird. Regular in 15 states.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Selasphorus platycercus
The trilling sound of a Rocky Mountain summer. Regular in 8 states.
Costa's Hummingbird
Calypte costae
The desert specialist with the purple mustache. Regular in 4 states.
Allen's Hummingbird
Selasphorus sasin
California's fog-belt jewel, back by January. Regular in 2 states.
Buff-bellied Hummingbird
Amazilia yucatanensis
South Texas's year-round resident. Regular in 3 states.
Whoever shows up, the menu is the same: 4 parts water, 1 part plain white sugar.
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