Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating birds found in North America. Their small size, bright colors, and incredible flying abilities make them a joy to observe. But just how many different types of hummingbirds live in North America? The answer depends on how you categorize them, but there are over 30 recognized species found north of Mexico.
Counting by Species
The American Ornithological Society (AOS) lists 34 recognized separate species of hummingbirds that have been documented in North America north of Mexico. This includes species that are residents year-round as well as seasonal migrants or vagrants. Here are the 34 species:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Black-chinned Hummingbird
- Anna’s Hummingbird
- Costa’s Hummingbird
- Calliope Hummingbird
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird
- Rufous Hummingbird
- Allen’s Hummingbird
- Broad-billed Hummingbird
- Violet-crowned Hummingbird
- Magnificent Hummingbird
- Blue-throated Hummingbird
- Lucifer Hummingbird
- Ruby-throated x Black-chinned Hummingbird (hybrid)
- Anna’s x Costa’s Hummingbird (hybrid)
- Berylline Hummingbird
- Buff-bellied Hummingbird
- White-eared Hummingbird
- Violet-crowned x Blue-throated Hummingbird (hybrid)
- Xantus’s Hummingbird
- Green-breasted Mango
- Green Violet-ear
- Long-billed Starthroat
- Plain-capped Starthroat
- Mexican Sheartail
- Bahama Woodstar
- Calliope x Broad-tailed Hummingbird (hybrid)
- Volcano Hummingbird
- Purple-crowned Fairy
- Ruby Topaz
- Rivoli’s Hummingbird
- Eupherusa Hummingbird
- Wine-throated Hummingbird
- Brown-backed Sheartail
As you can see, there are over 30 recognized species in North America, although a few are hybrids between two species. The most widespread and commonly seen species in the United States and Canada is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only breeding hummingbird in most of eastern North America. They have a bright iridescent ruby-red throat and are about 3-4 inches long. Ruby-throats breed across Canada and the eastern United States and winter in Central America. Some vagrants may be spotted along the Pacific coast and other western regions during migration.
Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbird is one of the most common hummingbirds on the Pacific coast and the only species that breeds regularly in the Southwest. The male has an iridescent ruby-red head and throat. Anna’s hummingbird has expanded its breeding range northward and eastward in recent decades and is now found year-round in many southwestern states.
Rufous Hummingbird
The Rufous Hummingbird is a small hummingbird with bright orange plumage on the male. It breeds farther north than any other hummingbird, mainly in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Rufous hummingbirds migrate long distances to winter in Mexico and the Gulf Coast region.
Counting by Subspecies
Some of the species may be divided into identifiable subspecies. For example, the Anna’s Hummingbird has 6 recognized subspecies. And the Allen’s Hummingbird has 2 subspecies. Counting each of the identifiable subspecies brings the total number of hummingbirds in North America to around 50 different types.
Conclusion
In summary, there are over 30 recognized separate species of hummingbirds in North America north of Mexico. The exact number ranges from 34 to around 50 when counting identifiable subspecies. Whatever the exact number, hummingbirds display an incredible diversity of colors, sizes, behaviors, and habitats across North America. Their small size belies the huge distances these tiny birds travel during migration. Whether it’s the iridescent ruby-red throat of a Ruby-throated, the bright orange Rufous, or the shimmering blue-violet crown of a Violet-crowned, hummingbirds provide delightful sights across North America.
Hummingbird Species of North America Table
Common Name | Scientific Name | Breeding Range | Migration/Winter Range |
---|---|---|---|
Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Archilochus colubris | Eastern North America | Mexico, Central America |
Black-chinned Hummingbird | Archilochus alexandri | Western North America | Mexico |
Anna’s Hummingbird | Calypte anna | Pacific Coast, Southwest | Some migrate to Mexico |
Costa’s Hummingbird | Calypte costae | Southwest | Mexico |
Calliope Hummingbird | Selasphorus calliope | Mountain West | Mexico |
Broad-tailed Hummingbird | Selasphorus platycercus | Rocky Mountains | Mexico |
Rufous Hummingbird | Selasphorus rufus | Pacific Northwest, Alaska | Mexico |
Allen’s Hummingbird | Selasphorus sasin | California Coast | Mexico |