All 9 Amazing Hummingbirds in Florida [With Pictures] (2024)

Trying to identify the hummingbird zipping around your yard?

Hummingbirds are one of the most fascinating creatures that you can find in your backyard. It really helps to know what species of hummingbirds live in Florida.

While the list below contains all the usual hummingbirds found in Florida, it’s possible to find a vagrant species of hummingbird that’s not native to Florida. This is rare but not unheard of.

The following legend can be used for each hummingbird species map to determine what time of year you can see each hummingbird in your area.

Overview

This small but territorial hummingbird has a medium-short to medium black bill and an extensive rufous plumage. It was named after the Californian bird collector, Charles A. Allen. Allen’s hummingbird has the most restricted breeding ranges of all native North American hummingbirds. Though their habitat has been altered by humans, they’ve adapted well to urban and suburban environments – zipping from feeder to feeder. In their natural environment, they use native plant species such as honeysuckle, bush-monkeyflower, and fuchsia-flowered gooseberry for their nectar needs.

How to Identify

The Allen’s Hummingbird is very difficult to distinguish from the Rufous Hummingbird. In fact, the female and immature males of both species are pretty much indistinguishable. In the adult male, the Allen’s Hummingbird has a green back and rump, but a rufous tail, and the Rufous Hummingbird usually has a rufous back, rump and tail. That’s the easiest way to distinguish the two.

Allen’s Hummingbird Range & Migration Map

Overview

Originally a native to California, the Anna’s Hummingbird is quite adaptable allowing it to expand its range northward and eastward chasing exotic flowers in urban gardens. It’s named in honor of Anna Massena, the duch*ess of Rivoli and a generous patron of science. During the winter Anna’s hummingbird has been observed eating insects such as gnats and even eating sand and ashes – likely to provide essential minerals.

How to Identify

Anna’s Hummingbird is a medium-sized hummingbird with a medium sized straight black. bill. The male sports a red gorget. Unlike the Black-Chinned and Costa’s Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird normally holds its tail still while hovering.

Anna’s Hummingbird Range & Migration Map

Overview

This Caribbean bird tends to enjoy fluttering into yards and gardens, however, it’s fairly rare you will see them in the US – as they are a vagrant species. They tend to prefer heading into scrubby areas and woodland in the wild, and as the name suggests, you’ll probably have a good chance of spotting it in the Bahamas.

How to Identify

Male Bahama Woodstars are marked for their lovely purple colorings around the head and throat, while females are easy to spot thanks to orange twinges along their bodies. Woodstar calls are also distinctive, with experts remarking their production of almost ‘metallic’ noises – through call and through tail flitting. It’s also one of few hummingbirds with a tail fork.

Bahama Woodstar Range & Migration Map

Overview

The Black-Chinned Hummingbird is the western counterpart of the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird. The species was named in 1846 to honor its discoverer – Dr Alexandre. It can be found in most types of habitats, including backyards, all over the western United States. It pumps its tail almost constantly while in flight and isn’t picky about what plants it takes nectar from.

How to Identify

The Black-Chinned Hummingbird is a small hummingbird with a medium to long decurved bill and a grey crown. It’s gorget is mostly black with a hint of violet in the correct sunlight.

Black-Chinned Hummingbird Range & Migration Map

Overview

This medium-sized hummingbird is one of the most hummingbirds of the Rocky Mountains. Their call, which resembles the ringing of tiny bells, is a common sound during the Rocky Mountain summers. Fun fact, a female Broad-Tailed Hummingbird is the oldest known wild hummingbird in the United States reaching a ripe old age of 12 years.

How to Identify

The Broad-Tailed male hummingbird sports a hot pink gorget which contrasts with a white breast. It’s medium-sized with a a decently long tail and straight black bill. It’s a mild-manned hummingbird that is easily bullied by other hummingbirds.

Broad-Tailed Hummingbird Range & Migration Map

Overview

The buff-bellied hummingbird tends to be a common sight down in Texas and along to Mexico, and there are thought to be around 100,000 in the US wild. Intriguingly, this is the only hummingbird species that chooses to drift northeast occasionally. They’re normally easy to spot in Texan forests that are particularly dry or arid.

How to Identify

This beautiful hummingbird is generally easy to spot thanks to its orange-tinted feathers and its bright red beak! As its name suggests, it has a buff or yellowish stomach, and you will normally be able to spot Buff-bellied eggs in nests from early spring to late summer. They generally choose to breed in southern Texas, so you may spot a handful in these yards and gardens.

Buff-Bellied Hummingbird Range & Migration Map

Overview

The Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest breeding bird in the United States. In fact, the male weighs less than a penny. The Calliope’s species name is Greek for “beautiful voice” which is rather ironic given that this hummingbird has limited vocal ability. This hummingbird prefers habitats in conifer forests and older growth following forest fires.

How to Identify

The Calliope Hummingbird is a really small bird with a short black bill and short tail. The male sports a red to purple gorget with a white background. It’s very small size should distinguish it from other hummingbirds rather easily.

Calliope Hummingbird Range & Migration Map

Overview

The ruby-throated hummingbird is one of the most commonly found hummingbirds of the United States. In fact, it’s the only one that breeds east of the Mississippi River. To reach these eastern breeding grounds, the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird takes a perilous route of flying over 500 miles non-stop over the Gulf of Mexico.

How to Identify

This hummingbird is on the smaller side. The male sports a handsome scarlet gorget and a black chin strap which distinguishes it from the Anna’s and Broad-Tailed hummingbirds.

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Range & Migration Map

Overview

The Rufous Hummingbird breeds farther north than any other hummingbird in the United States. It’s an aggressive species which makes it an unwelcome guest among hummingbird feeders. This hummingbird is an important part of the Pacific Northwest ecosystem, acting as a pollinator where the insects are at a disadvantage due to their cold-bloodedness.

How to Identify

The most distinguishing feature of the Rufous Hummingbird is the male’s rufous gorget that’s hard to miss. It’s a relatively small hummingbird with a short black bill. With the rufous plumage and aggressive behaviour, you’ll have no problem identifying male Rufous Hummingbirds.

Rufous Hummingbird Range & Migration Map

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• All United States Hummingbirds