Types of hummingbird
Hummingbirds are a diverse group of small, colorful birds known for their rapid wingbeats and ability to hover in mid-air. There are over 300 recognized species of hummingbirds, each with its own unique characteristics and distribution. Here are a few notable types of hummingbirds:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris): This is one of the most well-known and widely recognized hummingbird species in North America. The adult males have iridescent green feathers on their upperparts and a vibrant ruby-red throat patch.
- Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna): Found along the western coast of North America, Anna’s Hummingbird is known for its striking metallic green plumage and bright pink-red crown and throat feathers in males.
- Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus): The Rufous Hummingbird is a migratory species that breeds in North America and winters in Mexico. Males have orange-red plumage with an iridescent orange throat, while females have greenish feathers.
- Violet-crowned Hummingbird (Amazilia violiceps): Found in Mexico and Central America, this species features vibrant green upperparts, a violet crown, and a white throat.
- Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae): The Bee Hummingbird holds the title of being the world’s smallest bird. It is endemic to Cuba and has iridescent green feathers with a red throat patch in males and grayish plumage in females.
- Long-tailed Sylph (Aglaiocercus kingii): This hummingbird species is found in the Andean regions of South America. Males have a striking combination of iridescent green and blue plumage, long tail feathers, and a distinctive crest.
- Sword-billed Hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera): This unique hummingbird species is known for its exceptionally long bill, which is longer than its body length. It is found in the Andes Mountains of South America.
- Fiery-throated Hummingbird (Panterpe insignis): This colorful species is native to the cloud forests of Costa Rica and Panama. Males have a brilliant mix of green, blue, and fiery red throat feathers.
- Costa’s Hummingbird (Calypte costae): Found in the southwestern United States and Baja California, Mexico, the Costa’s Hummingbird is known for its iridescent purple crown and throat in males and grayish-green plumage in females.
- Blue-throated Hummingbird (Lampornis clemenciae): Native to Mexico and parts of Central America, this species has a striking combination of metallic green feathers and a vibrant blue throat in males.
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus): Found in western North America, the Broad-tailed Hummingbird is known for its distinctive trilling sound during flight displays. Males have iridescent green feathers and a vibrant rose-colored throat patch.
- Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri): Native to western North America, this species has a black chin and throat in males, which can appear iridescent when caught in the light.
- White-necked Jacobin (Florisuga mellivora): This hummingbird species is found in Central and South America. Males have a dark, iridescent plumage with a white collar around the neck.
- Green Hermit (Phaethornis guy): Found in the rainforests of Central and South America, the Green Hermit has bright green plumage, a long bill, and distinctive white undertail coverts.
- Long-billed Hermit (Phaethornis longirostris): Native to Central and South America, this species has a long, curved bill and a dull greenish-brown plumage.
- Amethyst-throated Sunangel (Heliangelus amethysticollis): Found in the Andean regions of South America, this species has a deep purple throat, iridescent green plumage, and a long, straight bill.
- Ruby-topaz Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus): Native to the Caribbean and parts of South America, this species features a vibrant golden-orange plumage in males and greenish-brown plumage in females.
- Long-tailed Hummingbird (Discosura longicaudus): Found in the forests of South America, this species has a long, forked tail and vibrant plumage, with males displaying iridescent green feathers and a glittering purple throat.
- Crowned Woodnymph (Thalurania colombica): Native to Central and South America, this species has a striking combination of green, blue, and purple plumage. Males have a glittering violet crown on their heads.
- Violet Sabrewing (Campylopterus hemileucurus): Found in Central America and parts of South America, this large hummingbird species has deep purple or violet plumage in males, with a metallic green back and tail.
- Black-throated Mango (Anthracothorax nigricollis): Native to the Caribbean and northern South America, this species has a black throat patch in males and a shimmering green plumage.
- White-tailed Goldenthroat (Polytmus guainumbi): This hummingbird species is found in the Amazon rainforest and has a distinctive white tail and bright blue throat patch in males.
- Andean Hillstar (Oreotrochilus estella): Found in the Andes Mountains of South America, this species has a unique gray and white plumage, with males displaying a vibrant pinkish throat.
- Black Jacobin (Florisuga fusca): Native to South America, this hummingbird species has a predominantly black plumage, with males displaying a brilliant iridescent blue throat.
- Black-tailed Trainbearer (Lesbia victoriae): Found in the high-altitude regions of the Andes Mountains, this species has a glossy green plumage and long, black tail feathers.
- Sparkling Violetear (Colibri coruscans): Native to Central and South America, this species has a bright green plumage with iridescent violet patches on the sides of the head.
- Sappho Comet (Taphrolesbia griseiventris): Found in the cloud forests of Colombia and Ecuador, this species has a distinctive curved bill, green plumage, and a glittering purple throat in males.
- White-eared Hummingbird (Hylocharis leucotis): Native to Mexico and Central America, this species has a green back and a distinctive white patch behind the eye.
- Peruvian Sheartail (Thaumastura cora): Found in the high-altitude regions of the Andes Mountains, this species has a striking combination of green, black, and white plumage, with males displaying long, curved tail feathers.
- Purple-crowned Fairy (Heliothryx barroti): Native to Central and South America, this species has a brilliant green plumage and a vibrant purple crown in males.
- Long-billed Starthroat (Heliomaster longirostris): Found in Mexico and Central America, this species has a long, curved bill and a shimmering green and bronze plumage.
- Coppery-headed Emerald (Elvira cupreiceps): Native to Costa Rica and Panama, this species has a coppery-red head, vibrant green plumage, and a glittering blue throat in males.
- White-bellied Woodstar (Chaetocercus mulsant): Found in the Andes Mountains of South America, this species has a white belly, metallic green upperparts, and a distinctive white spot behind the eye.
- White-tailed Hillstar (Urochroa bougueri): Native to the high-altitude regions of the Andes Mountains, this species has a stunning combination of green and coppery-bronze plumage, with a white tail and a long, decurved bill.
- Green-crowned Brilliant (Heliodoxa jacula): Found in the cloud forests of Central and South America, this species has a shimmering green crown and throat, with a dark blue breast and belly.
- Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer (Chalybura urochrysia): Native to Central and South America, this species has a bronze-colored tail, green plumage, and a glittering blue throat in males.
- Black-breasted Puffleg (Eriocnemis nigrivestis): Found in the high-altitude regions of the Andes Mountains, this species has a black breast, green upperparts, and a distinctive white puff-like feather tuft on the legs.
- Green Violet-ear (Colibri thalassinus): Native to Central and South America, this species has a metallic green plumage, with males displaying a vibrant violet patch on the sides of the head.
- Velvet-purple Coronet (Boissonneaua jardini): Found in the cloud forests of the Andes Mountains, this species has a velvet-like purple plumage, a shimmering green crown, and a long, straight bill.
- Amethyst Woodstar (Calliphlox amethystina): Native to South America, this species has a vibrant amethyst throat and a green and bronze plumage.
- Glittering-bellied Emerald (Chlorostilbon lucidus): Found in Mexico and Central America, this species has a glittering green plumage and a shimmering bluish-purple belly.
- Fiery-tailed Awlbill (Avocettula recurvirostris): Found in the cloud forests of Costa Rica and Panama, this species has a long, curved bill and vibrant fiery-orange tail feathers.
- Blue-tailed Emerald (Chlorostilbon mellisugus): Native to Central and South America, this species has a metallic green plumage, a shimmering blue tail, and a glittering purple throat patch in males.
- Red-billed Streamertail (Trochilus polytmus): Found in Jamaica, this species has a bright red bill, metallic green plumage, and distinctive long, streamer-like tail feathers in males.
- Copper-rumped Hummingbird (Amazilia tobaci): Native to Trinidad and Tobago and nearby regions, this species has a copper-colored rump and a vibrant green plumage.
- Violet-crowned Woodnymph (Thalurania colombica): Found in the forests of Central and South America, this species has a shimmering green plumage, with males displaying a vibrant violet crown on their heads.
- Green-fronted Lancebill (Doryfera ludovicae): Native to the cloud forests of Central and South America, this species has a long, straight bill and a green and bronze plumage.
- Blue-chinned Sapphire (Chlorestes notatus): Found in the Andean regions of South America, this species has a metallic green plumage and a vibrant blue chin patch.
- Violet-headed Hummingbird (Klais guimeti): Native to Ecuador and Colombia, this species has a violet-colored head, green upperparts, and a shimmering purple throat in males.
- Purple-throated Carib (Eulampis jugularis): Found in the Caribbean islands, this species has a metallic green plumage and a vibrant purple throat patch in males.
- White-necked Jacobin (Florisuga mellivora): Found in Central and South America, this species has a green plumage, a white belly, and a distinctive white band across the neck.
- Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl): Native to Central and South America, this species has a rufous-colored tail, a green plumage, and a shimmering blue throat in males.
- Sapphire-spangled Emerald (Amazilia lactea): Found in the Andean regions of South America, this species has a metallic green plumage, with males displaying iridescent blue spots on the throat and chest.
- Stripe-tailed Hummingbird (Eupherusa eximia): Native to Central America, this species has a green plumage, a white belly, and a distinctive black and white striped tail.
- Violet-capped Hummingbird (Goldmania violiceps): Found in the cloud forests of Central and South America, this species has a violet-colored cap on the head, a green plumage, and a shimmering purple throat in males.
- Black-throated Brilliant (Heliodoxa schreibersii): Native to the Andean regions of South America, this species has a brilliant green plumage, with males displaying a black throat patch and a glittering violet crown.
- Tawny-bellied Hermit (Phaethornis syrmatophorus): Found in Central and South America, this species has a tawny-colored belly, a green plumage, and a long, curved bill.
- Blue-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia cyanura): Native to Central and South America, this species has a green plumage, a vibrant blue tail, and a shimmering blue throat in males.
- Black-bellied Thorntail (Discosura langsdorffi): Found in the forests of Central and South America, this species has a black belly, a green plumage, and long, straight bill.
- Purple-throated Mountain-gem (Lampornis calolaemus): Native to the high-altitude regions of Central America, this species has a brilliant purple throat, a green plumage, and a long, slightly curved bill.
- Crowned Woodnymph (Thalurania colombica): Found in the forests of Central and South America, this species has a shimmering green plumage, with males displaying a vibrant violet crown on their heads.
- White-vented Plumeleteer (Chalybura buffonii): Native to Central and South America, this species has a green plumage and a distinctive white vent (underside of the tail).
- Brown Violetear (Colibri delphinae): Found in the Andean regions of South America, this species has a brownish-green plumage, with males displaying a vibrant violet patch on the sides of the head.
- Mexican Sheartail (Doricha eliza): Native to Mexico, this species has a shimmering green plumage, with males displaying elongated outer tail feathers.
- Grey-breasted Sabrewing (Campylopterus largipennis): Found in Central and South America, this species has a grey breast, green plumage, and a slightly curved bill.
- Rufous-crested Coquette (Lophornis delattrei): Native to the forests of South America, this species has a rufous crest, a green plumage, and a short, straight bill.
- Fork-tailed Woodnymph (Thalurania furcata): Found in Central and South America, this species has a forked tail, a green plumage, and a glittering blue throat in males.
- Violet-headed Hummingbird (Klais guimeti): Native to Ecuador and Colombia, this species has a violet-colored head, green upperparts, and a shimmering purple throat in males.
- Green Thorntail (Discosura conversii): Found in the forests of Central and South America, this species has a green plumage, a long, straight bill, and distinctive elongated tail feathers in males.
- Long-billed Starthroat (Heliomaster longirostris): Native to Mexico and Central America, this species has a long, curved bill, a green plumage, and a shimmering purple throat patch in males.
- Amethyst Woodstar (Calliphlox amethystina): Found in South America, this species has a vibrant amethyst throat, a green and bronze plumage, and a short, straight bill.
- Andean Hillstar (Oreotrochilus estella): Native to the high-altitude regions of the Andes Mountains, this species has a green plumage, a white belly, and a distinctive elongated bill.
- Black-eared Fairy (Heliothryx auritus): Found in the forests of Central and South America, this species has a green plumage, with males displaying a black ear patch and a glittering violet throat.
- Green Hermit (Phaethornis guy): Native to Central and South America, this species has a green plumage, a long, curved bill, and a shimmering blue throat in males.
- Shining Sunbeam (Aglaeactis cupripennis): Found in the Andean regions of South America, this species has a shimmering green plumage, with males displaying a vibrant copper-colored chest.
- Mexican Sheartail (Doricha eliza): Native to Mexico, this species has a shimmering green plumage, with males displaying elongated outer tail feathers.
These are just a few examples of the many different types of hummingbirds that exist worldwide. Each species has its own range, habitat preferences, and distinct plumage, making them a fascinating group of birds to observe and study.