Amazilia HummingbirdAmazilis amaziliaA green-and-chestnut hummingbird with plumage that varies throughout its range. All variants have a red bill with a black tip. In most of its range, it has a green throat, white breast, and chestnut belly and tail. In the southern part of its range, white breast is reduced or absent and throat is blue or blue-green. At its northern limit, tail is mostly green. In the Andes of southern Ecuador, underparts are mostly white with only a little chestnut. Common in dry forest and scrub, and less prevalent or absent in more humid areas.Trochilidae bird family
Order Apodiformes · 20 selected species
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Amazilia HummingbirdAmazilis amaziliaA green-and-chestnut hummingbird with plumage that varies throughout its range. All variants have a red bill with a black tip. In most of its range, it has a green throat, white breast, and chestnut belly and tail. In the southern part of its range, white breast is reduced or absent and throat is blue or blue-green. At its northern limit, tail is mostly green. In the Andes of southern Ecuador, underparts are mostly white with only a little chestnut. Common in dry forest and scrub, and less prevalent or absent in more humid areas.
Anna's HummingbirdCalypte annaRelatively large-headed and chunky. Gray and green overall, lacking buffy or orangey tones. Males have shocking magenta head, which appears dark when not catching the light. Females have dingy grayish underparts and often show a dark patch in the center of the throat. Note relatively short, straight bill compared with Black-chinned or Costa’s Hummingbird. Common year-round in the Pacific states of the U.S., mainly in relatively open or scrubby habitats including desert scrub and chaparral. Frequently seen in suburban yards and gardens, often visiting sugar water feeders. Expanding its range northward into British Columbia, even regular in southeast Alaska. Winters to southern Baja and locally elsewhere in Mexico. Listen for male’s scratchy, metallic song, given when perched.
Bahama WoodstarNesophlox evelynaeA small, long-tailed hummingbird of wooded and scrubby habitats including gardens; most often found feeding on flowers or at hummingbird feeders. Note the male’s iridescent purple throat and forehead and its long, forked tail. On females, note the orange sides and tail edges. The male Cuban Emerald is all green while the female is dingy white below unlike the Bahama Woodstar. The male Ruby-throated Hummingbird lacks the Bahama Woodstar’s long tail and has a red (not purple) throat, while female Ruby-throated has little, if any, orange below and no orange on the tail. Calls include a sharp, metallic “tit” or “tit-it”; often given in series, sometimes quite rapidly. Males also make a metallic sound with their tail during display flights.
Blue-throated Mountain-gemLampornis clemenciaeVery large for a hummingbird; size alone separates from many other species. Males and females similar: gray below, dusky-greenish back, brown rump, and large dark tail with prominent white corners. Also note white eyebrow and short white mustache stripe. Male has bright blue throat patch, difficult to see unless the light hits it just right. Uncommon in canyons and mountains with mixed pine-oak forests, primarily in Mexico but barely extending into the U.S. Very similar to Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem, especially if you can’t see the throat color. Blue-throated is slightly larger and paler overall with larger white (not gray) tips on the tail feathers; females are plainer, lacking the buffy tones of Amethyst-throated. Also compare with Rivoli’s Hummingbird, especially females; Blue-throated is shorter-billed and plainer (less speckled) on the underparts.
Broad-billed HummingbirdCynanthus latirostrisBrilliantly-colored hummingbird with dark tail and mostly red bill. Primarily a Mexican species, but occurs locally in the southwestern U.S. Can appear all dark at a distance, but in the right light, look for beautiful iridescent blues and greens on male's body. Females are less colorful than males, dusky grayish below with prominent white stripe behind the eye. Compare especially with female White-eared Hummingbird, which is more spotted below and has a broader white eyestripe and darker cheek. Occurs in scrubby riparian woodland, canyons, and thorn forest. Often visits hummingbird feeders.Broad-billed HummingbirdCynanthus latirostrisBrilliantly-colored hummingbird with dark tail and mostly red bill. Primarily a Mexican species, but occurs locally in the southwestern U.S. Can appear all dark at a distance, but in the right light, look for beautiful iridescent blues and greens on male's body. Females are less colorful than males, dusky grayish below with prominent white stripe behind the eye. Compare especially with female White-eared Hummingbird, which is more spotted below and has a broader white eyestripe and darker cheek. Occurs in scrubby riparian woodland, canyons, and thorn forest. Often visits hummingbird feeders.
Canivet's EmeraldCynanthus canivetiiSmall hummingbird of tropical lowlands, favoring forest edge and semi-open areas, often in relatively dry habitats. Usually feeds rather low, and often inconspicuous. Both sexes habitually pump their forked tail while hovering, unlike most other hummingbirds found in the same areas. Solidly emerald-green male is distinctive. Combination of small size, rather short straight bill, face pattern (whitish eyestripe and broad dark mask), and tail wagging behavior help ID the female. Also note the dry chattering call, which may suggest the call of Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
Copper-rumped HummingbirdSaucerottia tobaciFairly common and very territorial small hummingbird. Glittering green head and underparts, coppery rump (absent in northwest mountain subspecies), bronzy to rufous brown undertail, slightly curved and medium-sized bill with red lower mandible, and forked blue tail. Female similar to male but with dull brown belly. Usually in forest edges, second growth woodland, and gardens. Flight call a trill; song a slow, high-pitched four-note “e-ri-caa.” Distinguished from Steely-vented Hummingbird by lack of blue rump coverts; from male emeralds by longer and more curved bill; and from Blue-chinned Sapphire by forked (not rounded) tail and lack of bluish tinge on chin and body.
Esmeraldas WoodstarChaetocercus berlepschiTiny hummingbird endemic to western Ecuador. Male has a violet throat, a green “vest” on otherwise white underparts, white spots on either side of the rump, and a thin, forked tail. Female lacks throat patch and has a rusty tinge to underparts, a black stripe through her face, and a shorter tail. Inhabits deciduous and semi-humid forest, especially in hilly areas near the coast. Undertakes seasonal movements that are not well understood, and is occasionally seen farther inland.
Flammulated FlycatcherRamphotrigon flammulatumMedium-sized flycatcher of thorn forest and brushy woodland in tropical lowlands and foothills of west Mexico. Mostly sluggish and easily overlooked unless singing; tends to stay within cover rather than coming out into open areas. Resembles a Myiarchus flycatcher (especially Dusky-capped), but note the pale spectacles, faint dusky streaks on the breast (or flammulations ) and extensive cinnamon edging to the wing feathers.
Green-headed HillstarOreotrochilus stolzmanniSmall hummingbird of the high Andes; found in rocky and shrubby valleys, villages, and any open and semiopen areas with flowers. Often builds nest under eaves of buildings or bridges: a bulky cup of plant material and alpaca wool to insulate against cold nights. Fairly common. Readily identified in most of range by its extensively white tail. Male has an emerald green gorget and a black stripe on belly. Female is rather drab, but note slightly decurved bill, spotted throat, and tail pattern.
Green-throated MangoAnthracothorax viridigulaLarge, dark hummingbird found in coastal regions and along large rivers. Use caution eliminating the more widespread Black-throated Mango, which often occurs in the same habitats; female-plumaged birds in particular may not be safely separable. Found in mangroves, abandoned plantations, swampy forests, and urban areas, often at higher levels in flowering trees, where it feeds on nectar and hawks for tiny flying insects. In proper light, green throat of male is diagnostic. Tail color is useful if bird can be studied at length; Green-throated’s tail is mostly purple, with brownish central tail feathers (tail of Black-throated is more chestnut, but subject to variation depending on light).
Red-billed StreamertailTrochilus polytmusThis long-tailed beauty is Jamaica’s national bird along with Black-billed Streamertail, which is now considered a separate species. Male has a glittering green body, black crown, and red bill; younger males and molting birds may not have the signature tail streamers, giving them a somewhat different look. Female lacks the long tail and is similar to Black-billed Streamertail, but usually shows a pink tinge to the base of the lower part of her bill. Her relatively large size and longer bill help separate her from Vervain Hummingbird. Found in forest in most of the island except for the far east, where it is replaced by Black-billed Streamertail, and readily comes to feeders. Local names for this species include “doctor bird” and “swallow tail humming bird”.
Red-tailed CometSappho sparganurusUnmistakable and spectacular hummingbird of the high Andes and outlying mountains from near the Peru-Bolivia border south to central Argentina. The male’s green-gold back that fades to a long, shimmering red tail is distinctive even from distance. The female also has a unique elongated red tail. This species generally occurs in arid or open habitats, to and above treeline, and tends to be most abundant near flowering Cardon cacti and tree tobacco.
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisSmall hummingbird found in a variety of woodland and brushy habitats. Male distinctive with ruby-red throat and black chin. Female has whitish underparts with almost no buffy tones (perhaps a very light wash on flanks). Readily comes to sugar water feeders and flower gardens. Default summer hummingbird over most of eastern U.S. and Canada. Winters south to Panama. Very difficult to distinguish from Black-chinned Hummingbird, especially females and young males; thankfully limited range overlap. Ruby-throated averages somewhat brighter green above, shorter- and straighter-billed, and has slightly narrower outer wing feathers, but these differences are all extremely subtle.
Rufous HummingbirdSelasphorus rufusAdult males are almost entirely orange with bright white chest and some green on the back (can be solid green like Allen's Hummingbird). Throat is iridescent, and depending on the light, can look anywhere from red to orange to yellow to lime green. On females and immatures, look for orange on sides and tail to separate from Anna's and Black-chinned. Found in a variety of wooded habitats; more common in migration in suburbs, meadows, and other brushier areas. Feeds on nectar and tiny insects.
Rufous-crested CoquetteLophornis delattreiTiny hummingbird; male is striking with fabulous spiky orange crest, each feather tipped in black. Otherwise greenish with dark throat and conspicuous white band across rump. Female much less obvious; look for very small size, rufous forehead and throat, and white band across rump. Range usually helps to eliminate other similar species of coquette; note especially similarity to Spangled Coquette. Found more often in edges than other coquettes, especially brushy clearings or roadsides with flowering bushes.
Sapphire-throated HummingbirdChrysuronia coeruleogularisMedium-sized hummingbird found in Panama and northern Colombia. Males are mostly glittering emerald-green with a dark purplish-blue throat that can look black in poor light. Females are green above and whitish below. Note relatively long forked tail in both sexes. Occurs in dry woodland, scrub, and mangroves; often seen around flowering trees.
Talamanca HummingbirdEugenes spectabilisVery large for a hummingbird; size alone separates from many other species. Distinctive in range. Males are green overall; head appears black until it hits the light and reveals an iridescent purple crown and turquoise throat. Females duller with fuzzy mottled appearance on grayish underparts and some greenish on sides. Note the large white spot behind the eye that trails into a messy eyeline. Females have a longer and slightly more decurved bill than males. Used to be called Magnificent Hummingbird, but recently split into Rivoli’s Hummingbird (from southwest U.S. to Nicaragua) and Talamanca Hummingbird (found in mossy cloud forest in Costa Rica and Panama). Fairly common; visits hummingbird feeders.
White-necked JacobinFlorisuga mellivoraRather large, spectacular hummingbird of humid tropical lowlands that favors forest edges, adjacent clearings with scattered trees and flowering bushes, and gardens. Feeds at all levels, often in the canopy, hovering with its tail cocked and occasionally opening it to show extensive white. Male has deep blue hood, green upperparts with white collar (often hard to see), white underparts, and mostly white tail. Some females look similar to males while others look very different, with dark spotting below and a mostly green tail with white tips.