Birdwatchers have seen over 15 species of hummingbirds in the U.S. Some species come often and breed here. Others visit only during migration or appear very rarely. From the Ruby-throated in the East to the Costa’s in the Southwest, each region gives birdwatchers a special experience.

This guide covers all known species, state checklists, ID tips, rare sightings, and maps. Use it to find these tiny, fast-flying jewels.

All Hummingbird Species Found in the United States

Here’s a full list of hummingbird species found in the United States:

Xantus’s Hummingbird (accidental)
Allen’s Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbird
Berylline Hummingbird
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Blue-throated Mountain-gem
Broad-billed Hummingbird
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Buff-bellied Hummingbird
Calliope Hummingbird
Costa’s Hummingbird
Lucifer Hummingbird
Mexican Violetear
Plain-capped Starthroat
Rivoli’s Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Violet-crowned Hummingbird
White-eared Hummingbird

Most common hummingbird species in the United States

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Call:

U.S. Population : ~34 million
Population Trend: Stable
Habitat: Eastern U.S. woodlands, gardens, and meadows
Threats: Habitat loss and window collisions during migration
Note: The only hummingbird species that breeds in the eastern U.S. migrates non-stop over the Gulf.

Anna’s Hummingbird

U.S. Population : ~1.5 million
Population Trend: Increasing
Habitat: Urban areas, gardens, and coastal chaparral along the Pacific Coast.
Threats: Urban sprawl may limit nesting areas in some zones, despite adaptability.
Note: One of the rare North American hummingbirds that stays in the U.S. all year and sings a short, scratchy song.

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Call:

U.S. Population : ~5 million
Population Trend: Stable
Habitat: Lowland deserts, riparian woodlands, and backyard feeders in the western U.S.
Threats: Water scarcity in arid regions and competition with other hummingbirds at feeders.
Note: Males hum a high-pitched sound with their wings. This helps them attract females during the breeding season.

Rufous Hummingbird

Call:

U.S. Population : ~6 million
Population Trend: Decreasing
Habitat: Forest edges, alpine meadows, and gardens in western North America.
Threats: Habitat loss on breeding and wintering grounds, plus climate-induced migration mismatch.
Note: They takes one of the longest migration journeys. It travels up to 4,000 miles from Alaska to Mexico.

Broad-tailed Hummingbird

Call:

U.S. Population : ~4 million
Population Trend: Declining
Habitat: High-elevation meadows and aspen groves in the Rocky Mountains.
Threats: Warming temperatures that impact flower bloom timing and food availability.
Note: Males create a special metallic trill using their wing feathers when they fly. This is especially true during courtship.

Costa’s Hummingbird

U.S. Population : 250,000
Population Trend: Stable
Habitat: Arid desert regions, especially in the Sonoran and Mojave deserts.
Threats: Habitat degradation due to urbanization and recreational land use in desert ecosystems.
Note: Males have bright purple head feathers that fan out when they court in the desert sun.

Calliope Hummingbird

Call:

U.S. Population : 1 million
Population Trend: Stable
Habitat: Mountain meadows, open forests, and scrublands in western states.
Threats: Loss of breeding habitat due to wildfires and changes in alpine vegetation.
Note: The smallest bird in the United States, yet migrates up to 5,000 miles between Canada and Mexico.

Allen’s Hummingbird

U.S. Population : 1 million
Population Trend: Decreasing
Habitat: Coastal brushlands, gardens, and redwood forest edges in California.
Threats: Urban development and invasive plants that reduce native nectar sources.
Note: It’s tough to distinguish them from Rufous Hummingbirds. You need to examine their tail feathers and range in detail.

Broad-billed Hummingbird

Call:

U.S. Population : <100,000
Population Trend: Unknown
Habitat: Riparian corridors and canyons in southern Arizona and New Mexico.
Threats: Water diversion and drought that limit flower-rich riparian habitats.
Note: They stands out with its bright red bill and shiny blue throat.

Rare hummingbird species in the United States

Mexican Violetear

Call:

U.S. Population : Rare vagrant
Population Trend: Stable in native range
Habitat: Montane cloud forests sometimes extend into Texas, Louisiana, or Tennessee.
Threats: Habitat loss in Central America may impact rare U.S. sightings.
Note: Bright metallic green with a striking violet cheek patch. You often spot it after tropical weather systems move north.

Berylline Hummingbird

Call:

U.S. Population : Rare, <500 in U.S.
Population Trend: Stable in Mexico, uncertain in U.S.
Habitat: Mountain foothills with mixed woodlands in southern Arizona.
Threats: Habitat fragmentation and climate variation near its U.S. range limit.
Note: This species has a shiny green body and reddish wings. It stands out from more common hummingbirds.

Plain-capped Starthroat

Call:

U.S. Population : Fewer than 100 individuals observed in U.S.
Population Trend: Rare
Habitat: Oak woodlands and desert canyon edges in far southern Arizona.
Threats: Narrow habitat preference and small range make it vulnerable to ecosystem disruption.
Note: One of the largest birds in the U.S. with a long, straight bill and bold white mustache stripe.

Violet-crowned Hummingbird

Call:

U.S. Population : <20,000
Population Trend: Unknown
Habitat: Mountain foothills and riparian woodlands in Arizona and New Mexico.
Threats: Limited U.S. range makes it vulnerable to habitat disruptions.
Note: One of the only U.S. birds with a striking violet crown and a clean white chest.

Lucifer Hummingbird

U.S. Population : <10,000
Population Trend: Stable
Habitat: Arid canyons with agave and cactus in west Texas and southern Arizona.
Threats: Overgrazing and habitat disturbance in desert environments.
Note: Named after its glowing gorget, the male has a deeply curved bill suited for desert blooms.

White-eared Hummingbird

Call:

U.S. Population : Unknown
Population Trend: Rare visitor
Habitat: Montane forests with a dense understory are primarily found in southern Arizona.
Threats: Habitat fragmentation in its limited U.S. breeding range.
Note: The bold white stripe on its face stands out against its emerald-green body. This makes it easy to spot.

Green-breasted Mango

Call:

U.S. Population : Unknown (occasional visitor)
Population Trend: Unknown
Habitat: Tropical woodlands, coastal thickets, and mangroves primarily exist in southern Texas.
Threats: Coastal habitat loss and few U.S. sightings make them vulnerable to changes.
Note: Its long, slightly curved bill and bold green stripe on its white chest make it easy to identify.

Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem

U.S. Population : 1–2
Population Trend: Stable in Central America
Habitat: Highland forests; rarely enters the U.S., typically observed in Arizona.
Threats: Cloud forest loss in native range may affect rare sightings.
Note: A dark-bodied bird with a purple throat, rarely seen in North America.

Buff-bellied Hummingbird

Call:

U.S. Population : 100,000
Population Trend: Stable
Habitat: Subtropical woodlands and brushy areas in south Texas and Gulf Coast.
Threats: Coastal development and loss of native habitat in Texas.
Note: This type of hummer stays in the Gulf for winter. Most U.S. hummers fly to Central America instead.

Blue-throated Mountain-gem

U.S. Population : 50,000
Population Trend: Stable
Habitat: Shaded canyons and pine-oak forests in the sky islands of Arizona.
Threats: Logging, water loss, and climate change in isolated mountain habitats.
Note: The largest bird found in the U.S. is easily recognized by its strong call and blue throat.

Rivoli’s Hummingbird

U.S. Population : <5,000
Population Trend: Unknown
Habitat: Prefers pine-oak forests in the mountains of Arizona and New Mexico.
Threats: Human activity leads to habitat loss. There are also potential risks from climate change at higher elevations.
Note: Its heart beats between 420 and 1,200 times a minute. This rate is one of the highest for any vertebrate species.

Bahama Woodstar

Call:

U.S. Population : Rare straggler to the U.S.
Population trend: Declining in native islands.
Habitat: Coastal tropical habitats, especially gardens and forest edges in the Bahamas.
Threats: Hurricanes and development in island habitats threaten this species’ population.
Note: This bird is small and soft-coloured. It is often mistaken for a Ruby-throated female. But, it has a forked tail and a thinner bill.

Identification Tips

Throat color (gorget): Look for iridescent patches that change with light
Bill shape: Straight, curved, or medium-length can help ID
Size & posture: Some are tiny and round; others are slender and upright
Tail shape: Forked, rounded, or pointed tails vary by species
Flight behavior: Watch how they hover, dart, or chase others
Sounds: Listen for chirps, buzzes, or wing hums

Read Also: Fun facts about hummingbirds

Hummingbird Species by U.S. State

State	Number of Species	Examples of Species Observed
Alabama	4	Ruby-throated, Rufous, Blue-throated, Black-chinned
Alaska	3	Rufous, Costa’s, Anna’s
Arizona	12	Black-chinned, Anna’s, Broad-billed, Broad-tailed, Blue-throated, Calliope, Costa’s, Lucifer, Magnificent, Rufous, Violet-crowned, White-eared
Arkansas	8	Ruby-throated, Rufous, Anna’s, Buff-bellied, Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, Magnificent
California	7	Allen’s, Anna’s, Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, Costa’s, Calliope, Rufous
Colorado	4	Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, Calliope, Rufous
Florida	4	Buff-bellied, Calliope, Ruby-throated, Rufous
Georgia	3	Black-chinned, Ruby-throated, Rufous
Hawaii	0	No hummingbirds reported
Idaho	4	Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, Calliope, Rufous
Louisiana	6	Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, Buff-bellied, Calliope, Ruby-throated, Rufous
Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire , New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, Illinois ,Indiana,Iowa, Connecticut ,Delaware ,District of Columbia	1	Ruby-throated
Massachusetts, Tennessee, West Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio, North Dakota, Kansas ,Kentucky	2	Ruby-throated, Rufous
Mississippi	3	Black-chinned, Ruby-throated, Rufous
Montana	4	Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, Calliope, Rufous
Nebraska	3	Broad-tailed, Ruby-throated, Rufous
Nevada	6	Anna’s, Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, Calliope, Costa’s, Rufous
New Mexico	12	Allen’s, Black-chinned, Blue-throated, Broad-billed, Broad-tailed, Calliope, Costa’s, Lucifer, Magnificent, Rufous, Violet-crowned
Oklahoma	4	Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, Calliope, Ruby-throated
Oregon	6	Allen’s, Anna’s, Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, Calliope, Rufous
South Carolina	4	Blue-throated, Broad-billed, Ruby-throated, Rufous
South Dakota	4	Broad-tailed, Calliope, Ruby-throated, Rufous
Texas	10	Anna’s, Black-chinned, Blue-throated, Broad-tailed, Buff-bellied, Calliope, Lucifer, Magnificent, Ruby-throated, Rufous
Utah	5	Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, Costa’s, Calliope, Rufous
Washington	5	Anna’s, Black-chinned, Calliope, Ruby-throated, Rufous
Wyoming	4	Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, Calliope, Rufous

Migration & U.S. Range Map

Most birds migrate between the U.S., Mexico, and Central America. Spring migrations start in March, with birds arriving in the north by May. Southbound migration begins in late July and peaks through October.

Migration Path	Main Species	Notes
Eastern Flyway	Ruby-throated	Crosses Gulf of Mexico
Western Flyway	Rufous, Anna’s, Calliope	Moves through coastal ranges
Central Flyway	Black-chinned, Broad-tailed	Seen in Texas, Colorado, etc.

FAQs

How many hummingbird species live in the U.S.?

Above 15 species have been officially recorded, but in most areas, only 10 to 12 species appear each year.

Which state has the most hummingbird species?

Arizona, thanks to its southern location and varied habitats.

Are hummingbirds found in all 50 states?

Yes. Even Alaska and northern states report Rufous Hummingbirds during migration.

What’s the rarest hummingbird in the U.S.?

Birdwatchers consider the Plain-capped Starthroat and Berylline Hummingbird among the rarest.

Final Thoughts

If you love birdwatching or enjoy watching feeders from your porch, the U.S. has many hummingbird species. You can find over 15 types across the country. So, there’s always a chance to see a rare visitor or learn more about your local favourites. Keep your feeder clean, your eyes open, and your field guide ready!