Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating birds, captivating people with their tiny size, beautiful colors, and incredible speed. Of the hundreds of hummingbird species found throughout the Americas, several regularly breed in the state of Missouri. Determining which hummingbird species is the most numerous in the state depends on careful analysis of species distribution, habitat preferences, and seasonal patterns.
Overview of Hummingbird Species in Missouri
According to records from the Missouri Department of Conservation, five hummingbird species regularly breed in Missouri:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Rufous Hummingbird
- Calliope Hummingbird
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird
- Black-chinned Hummingbird
Of these five species, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird contributes the most observations and is found statewide. The Rufous Hummingbird is primarily a western species that sometimes wanders into Missouri during migration or the winter. The Calliope, Broad-tailed, and Black-chinned hummingbirds are western species that are extremely rare in Missouri, with only a handful of total observations.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is one of the most widespread and common hummingbird species in eastern North America. This bright green hummingbird gets its name from the vibrant ruby-red throat of the adult male. Adult females lack the ruby throat and are more white below with green above.
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird breeds throughout the eastern United States and south-central Canada during the summer months. Its breeding range extends west to the Great Plains, reaching eastern Colorado, Nebraska, and the Dakotas. In winter, most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds migrate to Central America or Mexico, though some may overwinter in the southernmost parts of the United States along the Gulf Coast.
In Missouri, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird arrives in early spring to breed during the summer across the entire state. It occupies a wide variety of habitats wherever flower nectar and small insects are available, including meadows, yards, parks, and open wooded areas. Males arrive first in spring and establish breeding territories that they aggressively defend from intruders.
Rufous Hummingbird
The Rufous Hummingbird is one of the most widespread western hummingbird species. Adult males are bright orange on the back and belly, with a vivid orange-red throat. Females are green above with a pale orange wash below. The Rufous Hummingbird breeds in northwestern North America from Alaska south to northern California and Colorado.
This species migrates south to Mexico for the winter. During migration, vagrant Rufous Hummingbirds sometimes stray east into the Great Plains, Midwest, and southeastern United States. In Missouri, Rufous Hummingbird sightings peak in August-September as southbound migrants pass through. They occasionally linger through winter in feeders, especially across southern parts of the state.
Other Species
The Calliope, Broad-tailed, and Black-chinned hummingbirds are rare and extremely sporadic in Missouri. The Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest breeding hummingbird in North America. Most records in Missouri consist of migrating birds in fall and winter. Similarly, the Broad-tailed and Black-chinned hummingbirds occasionally wander east during migration but rarely stay for long.
Ruby-throated Numbers in Missouri
With its widespread breeding distribution across the state, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird contributes the vast majority of Missouri’s hummingbird records. For example, citizen science databases for the state show the following numbers of hummingbird observations:
Species | Number of Observations |
---|---|
Ruby-throated Hummingbird | 95,325 |
Rufous Hummingbird | 1,201 |
Calliope Hummingbird | 28 |
Broad-tailed Hummingbird | 11 |
Black-chinned Hummingbird | 9 |
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird makes up over 98% of all hummingbird observations in Missouri, signifying that it is undoubtedly the most widespread and common species statewide.
Seasonality
Analyzing hummingbird sightings by season also highlights the prevalence of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds during the breeding months:
Season | % of observations that are Ruby-throated |
---|---|
Spring Migration (Mar – May) | 99% |
Summer Breeding (June – July) | 99% |
Fall Migration (August – October) | 95% |
Winter (November – February) | 71% |
During spring and summer when Ruby-throats are breeding, they make up 99% of Missouri’s hummingbirds. Other species only start to contribute more records during fall and winter when western migrants stray through the state.
Population Density
Analyzing hummingbird density across Missouri also shows the dominance of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. The below map shows relative hummingbird sightings per county from citizen science databases:
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are reported at moderately high densities across most of Missouri’s counties during the breeding season. Rufous and other species only appear in small numbers along the migration routes on the western and southern edges of the state.
Habitat Distribution
Lastly, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird occupies a far wider range of habitats and conditions statewide compared to other species:
Species | Habitats Occupied |
---|---|
Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Found in a variety of open and semi-open habitats statewide including forests, yards, parks, meadows, prairies, and wetlands |
Rufous Hummingbird | Mostly found in migration along the western and southern edges of the state; occasional wintering on southeastern coast |
Calliope Hummingbird | Rare migrant with no clear habitat associations |
Broad-tailed Hummingbird | Rare migrant with no clear habitat associations |
Black-chinned Hummingbird | Rare migrant with no clear habitat associations |
Conclusion
In summary, extensive data on seasonal and geographic distribution, habitat occupancy, and population density all support the Ruby-throated Hummingbird as the most widespread and abundant hummingbird species breeding in Missouri. Although other western hummingbirds migrate through or winter in the state, their numbers are dwarfed by the omnipresent Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
So for a Missourian seeking to spot one of these glittering marvels of nature, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is by far the species they are most likely to see whirring among flowers or perching at nectar feeders during the warmer months. With its sparkling green back, charismatic crimson throat, and feisty behavior, this species brings delight to people across the state during its breeding residence each summer.