Hummingbirds are found naturally only in the Americas, from Alaska to Chile, with the greatest variety of species found in the tropical regions of Central and South America. There are over 300 described species of hummingbirds, making them the second largest family of birds after tyrant flycatchers. Their small size, brilliant iridescent plumage, and ability to hover while feeding on nectar makes them one of the most unique and specialized groups of birds in the world.
Where are hummingbirds found in North America?
In North America north of Mexico, there are 12 regularly occurring hummingbird species. The ranges of these species vary greatly across the continent:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird – Found in eastern North America from southern Canada south to Florida and west to eastern Texas
- Black-chinned Hummingbird – Found in western North America from British Columbia south to Mexico
- Anna’s Hummingbird – Found along the Pacific Coast from British Columbia to Baja California
- Costa’s Hummingbird – Found in the southwestern desert regions of the United States and Mexico
- Rufous Hummingbird – Breeds in the northwest from Alaska to California and migrates south to Mexico for the winter
- Allen’s Hummingbird – Found along the Pacific Coast from southern Oregon to southern California
- Calliope Hummingbird – Breeds in the mountains along the Pacific Coast and throughout the interior west. Winters in Mexico.
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird – Breeds in the mountains of the interior west and migrates south to Mexico for winter
Some vagrant species like the Bahama Woodstar occasionally appear in Florida or along the Gulf Coast after being blown off course by storms. Overall, humingbird diversity increases along the U.S.-Mexico border and in the southwestern deserts.
Where are hummingbirds found in Central America?
Central America hosts over 100 species of hummingbirds, the greatest diversity found anywhere in the world. Species like the Green-breasted Mango, Violet Sabrewing, and White-necked Jacobin are found across a variety of habitats from lowland rainforest to mountain cloudforest. Some species have very restricted ranges, like the endangered Mangrove Hummingbird which is found only along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and Panama. Major birding destinations in Central America such as Costa Rica, Panama and Guatemala provide opportunities to see dozens of hummingbird species.
Where are hummingbirds found in South America?
South America is home to over 150 species of hummingbirds that inhabit a wide range of environments. Some South American hummingbirds with restricted ranges include:
- The Sword-billed Hummingbird found only in the northern Andes Mountains
- The Chilean Woodstar found only in central Chile
- The Rusty-breasted Antpitta found only on a few mountaintops in Peru
Other species like the Versicolored Emerald and White-vented Violetear can be found across much of South America in a variety of habitats. The Andes Mountains contain the most hummingbird species diversity, particularly in Ecuador, Peru and Colombia.
What factors influence the distribution of hummingbirds?
Several key factors influence where different hummingbird species are found:
- Climate – Hummingbirds are tropical and subtropical birds that are very rarely found in temperate climates. Most species inhabit areas that do not experience extended freezing temperatures.
- Elevation – Some hummingbird species are only found at certain elevation ranges in tropical mountains. Others may migrate to different elevations seasonally.
- Habitat – Hummingbirds occupy many habitat types from desert scrub to rainforest to alpine meadows. Each species has preferred habitat features.
- Flower availability – Hummingbirds feed on nectar from specialized tropical flowers. The availability of their preferred flower species influences habitat use.
- Competition – In areas where ranges overlap, hummingbird species may compete for habitat and food resources. This helps separate their geographic distributions.
- Geography – Land features like mountains, rivers and bodies of water can create barriers to dispersal and limit ranges of species.
How many hummingbird species live in each country?
The number of hummingbird species found in different countries throughout the Americas includes:
Country | Number of Species |
---|---|
Colombia | 164 |
Ecuador | 132 |
Peru | 117 |
Brazil | 105 |
Mexico | 56 |
Costa Rica | 52 |
United States | 12 |
Canada | 3 |
This table illustrates that tropical countries like Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil and Mexico have the greatest hummingbird diversity, while more temperate countries like the United States and Canada have fewer species.
How do hummingbird ranges shift with the seasons?
Many hummingbird species migrate seasonally to track the availability of flowers and other food resources:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbirds breed in eastern North America in summer and migrate to Central America for the winter.
- Rufous Hummingbirds breed in northwestern North America in summer and migrate as far south as Mexico in winter.
- Hummingbirds that breed at high elevations in the Andes Mountains migrate downslope to warmer climates in winter.
- Some tropical species move to follow peaks in flower abundance associated with rainy and dry seasons.
This seasonal migration allows hummingbirds to take advantage of optimal habitat conditions and food resources through the year. The timing of migration and the distances traveled varies widely among different species.
How will climate change impact hummingbird distributions?
Climate change could affect hummingbird distributions in a few key ways:
- Ranges shifting poleward and to higher elevations as temperatures warm.
- Changes in precipitation patterns altering flower availability in some habitats.
- Increased competition in areas where ranges overlap as species move to track suitable climate space.
- Phenological mismatches if flowers bloom at different times than in the past relative to hummingbird migration times.
Modeling studies predict substantial future shifts in hummingbird species ranges and community compositions across North and South America as a result of climate change. Monitoring current distributions and ongoing research will be needed to understand and predict future impacts.
Conclusion
In summary, hummingbirds reach their greatest diversity in tropical regions of the Americas, with over 300 described species spanning from Alaska to Chile. Distribution patterns are influenced by habitat preferences, competition, geographical barriers, and seasonal migration to track flower resources. Climate change poses future threats to some species, making monitoring and habitat conservation important for protecting these unique birds.