Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating and beloved birds in the world, with their dazzling colors, acrobatic flight, and rapid wingbeats. Florida is home to several species of these tiny birds, each with its unique characteristics and behaviors.
Whether you are an experienced birder or a newcomer to the world of birdwatching, observing hummingbirds in Florida is a truly unforgettable experience.
In this article, we will explore the hummingbird species that can be found in Florida, their appearance, behavior, diet, and habitat. We will also provide tips on where and when to look for these elusive birds in some of the best nature areas across the state.
From the brilliant Ruby-throated hummingbird to the lesser-known Black-chinned and Allen’s hummingbirds, we will discover the beauty and diversity of these feathered jewels that grace the skies of Florida.
1. Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
- Scientific name: (Archilochus colubris)
- Life span: 3-5 years
- Size: 7 to 9 cm (2.8 to 3.5 in)
- Weight: 2 to 6 g (0.071 to 0.212 oz)
- Wingspan: 8 to 11 cm (3.1 to 4.3 in)
- Status: Least concern
This stunning species of hummingbird display remarkable sexual dimorphism, with males boasting a vibrant green hue on their back and crown, contrasted by a striking greyish underside.
Their iridescent red throat adds an element of dazzling allure to their appearance. On the other hand, females possess a distinct green back, a pristine white underside, and a captivating brownish crown and sides.
A true marvel of nature, the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird is the solitary breeding hummingbird species found in eastern North America. During winter, they embark on an extensive migration to Central America. While some choose to fly over the Gulf of Mexico, others opt for a migration route through the coastal region of Texas.
The arrival of the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird in the United States is a sight to behold. As the middle of February approaches, these exquisite creatures start to grace the country with their presence.
One of the most combative and territorial hummingbirds, the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird is known for its aggressive behavior towards other birds. They are often seen chasing away other birds from their beloved flowers, displaying their determination and tenacity.
The art of dancing is not restricted to humans alone. It’s fascinating to note that many male birds engage in elaborate and unique dances to attract a mate, and the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird is a perfect example of this.
The male of the species performs a mesmerizing U-shaped flight pattern in front of the female, emitting a distinctive hissing sound as he passes her. If impressed by the dance, the female will accept the male as her mate, and they will begin to nest.
To protect their young from ground predators, the Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds carefully construct their nests high up in large shrubs or trees, at an altitude of up to 50 feet. The female meticulously selects a hidden spot on a small branch, surrounded by leaves.
The nest is made in the shape of a compact cup, using natural materials such as grasses, spider webs, branches, and feathers. They may also incorporate man-made objects like cigarette filters, linen, and cotton.
Once the nest is complete, the female lays around 2 eggs and camouflages them to blend in with their surroundings. For the next 20 days, the dedicated mother tirelessly feeds her offspring. After this period, the young hummingbirds are ready to leave the nest and embark on their adventure in the world.
The Ruby-throated hummingbird in Florida has a fascinating diet that consists mainly of nectar from flowering plants. However, their diet is not limited to nectar alone.
These incredible creatures also consume insects and spiders to meet their nutritional needs. In Florida, Ruby-throated hummingbirds are commonly seen visiting gardens, parks, and other areas rich in flowering plants
They are particularly fond of brightly coloured flowers that produce abundant nectar, such as coral honeysuckle, cardinal flower, and bee balm. Besides nectar, they also feed on a variety of insects, including mosquitoes, gnats, and fruit flies. They also consume spiders for their high protein content, which is vital for their growth and development.
Although the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird is categorized as ‘Least Concern (LC)’ on the IUCN’s red list of endangered species, it’s not entirely smooth sailing for these magnificent birds. Unfortunately, they are prone to crashing into window panels, often resulting in death or easy prey for predators on the ground.
In addition, outdoor cats and other predators pose a significant threat to their existence, preying on their eggs and chicks. Concerned individuals have launched projects to educate cat owners about the damage their pets can cause to bird populations. Habitat loss is another major threat to the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird.
Changes in land use can cause a decline in the availability of flowering plants, resulting in a shortage of food for the birds.
Sadly, the loss of both breeding and wintering grounds in the United States and Central America is also contributing to the decline in their population, making it harder for their numbers to grow.
If you’re looking to catch a glimpse of the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird in Florida, there are a few places where they are commonly spotted. Firstly, they are attracted to brightly colored flowers, so you’re likely to see them hovering around gardens, parks, and other areas with flowering plants.
Some good places to check out include botanical gardens, nature reserves, and state parks including:
- Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
- Archbold Biological Station
- Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Everglades National Park
2. Rufous Hummingbird
- Scientific name: (Selasphorus rufus)
- Life span: 3-5 years
- Size: 8 cm (3.1 in)
- Weight: 2–5 g (0.071–0.176 oz)
- Wingspan: 11 cm (4.3 in)
- Status: Near Threatened
The Rufous Hummingbird is an impressive migrator, covering a distance of up to 4000 miles each way between their breeding and wintering grounds, despite their small wingspan of only 4.3 inches.
Like many other hummingbird species, the Rufous Hummingbird displays sexual dimorphism. The adult male boasts a brownish face, flanks, and tail, a white breast, and a strikingly vibrant orange-red throat patch or gorget, with some males even sporting green feathers on their back and crown.
In contrast, the females have green, white, and bright orange feathers in the centre of the throat, as well as a dark tail with white tips and a brownish base. An intriguing feature of this species is that males and females utilize different feeding areas.
The males defend a smaller, but more densely flowering territory, while the females cover larger areas with more sparsely flowering regions, necessitating them to fly farther between food sources.
This distinction in feeding behavior is also reflected in the difference in wing size between the sexes, with females having longer wings than males.
Though they may initially forage in different areas, the Rufous Hummingbirds inevitably come together to mate. The male’s courtship display, much like that of Anna’s Hummingbird, involves a steep dive toward the female, with loud explosive popping sounds at the end, but he also buzzes back and forth in front of her perch.
Unlike other North American hummingbirds, males may mate with multiple females in a single breeding season. Consequently, nest building is left entirely to the females, who carefully conceal the nests in the lower branches of coniferous trees, deciduous shrubs, and vines, typically around 15 feet off the ground.
The nests, like those of other hummingbirds, are compact cups woven from grasses, moss, plant down, spider webs, cigarette filters, and other soft materials, with lichens and moss used to camouflage the outside. Occasionally, old nests from previous breeding seasons are reused.
Hummingbirds, including the Rufous Hummingbird, mainly rely on nectar from brightly coloured flowers such as red columbines (Aquilegia canadensis), scarlet sage (Salvia splendens), paintbrush (Haemanthus albiflos), penstemons (Penstemon sp.), and gilia (Gilia sp.), although small insects and spiders are also an important part of their diet.
These insects are an excellent source of protein for birds, and they can use their long and extendable tongue to reach inside flowers to gather nectar and capture insects. Hummingbirds also feed on sugar-water mixtures placed in hummingbird feeders by interested people, which can be a great supplement to their natural diet.
The Rufous Hummingbird is a species of particular concern as it is listed as “Near Threatened” on the IUCN’s red list. This vulnerability stems from their reliance on insects during the winter season.
Unfortunately, agricultural practices and pesticide use have led to a decline in insect populations, making it more difficult for the Rufous Hummingbird to find food. Furthermore, climate change has disrupted the timing of flower blooming during the breeding season, causing the bird to arrive too late to feed on the flowers.
This issue has become more pressing since the flowers now bloom two weeks earlier than before. Additionally, outdoor cats and other predators are significant threats to this species as they will prey on their eggs and chicks.
Rufous Hummingbirds are not commonly found in Florida. Their breeding range is in the western United States and they migrate to Mexico and parts of Central America for the winter.
However, rare sightings of Rufous Hummingbirds have been reported in Florida during migration, usually in the fall or winter months. If you are looking to spot one, you may want to check areas with abundant nectar sources, such as gardens with flowering plants, hummingbird feeders, and natural areas with wildflowers.
Areas to look for them include:
- Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
- Archbold Biological Station
- Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Everglades National Park
3. Calliope Hummingbird
- Scientific name: (Selasphorus calliope)
- Life span: 5-7 years
- Size: 7 to 10 cm (2.8 to 3.9 in)
- Weight: 2 to 3 g (0.071 to 0.106 oz)
- Wingspan: 8-11 cm (3.1 to 4.3 in)
- Status: Least concern
The Calliope Hummingbird, with its petite size, holds the title for the smallest bird found in the United States, and like its relative, the Rufous Hummingbird, breeds in western Canada and the United States, embarking on an extraordinary migration journey spanning 2500 miles each way.
The species has the ability to withstand cold summer nights at the high elevations of the Rocky Mountains. The bird’s back is adorned with vibrant green feathers, and its crown has a white underpart.
The male displays a splendid combination of dark red feathers on the gorget, green flanks, and a blackish tail. On the other hand, the female and juveniles boast a pinkish washed-out color on their flanks, dark feathers on the throat, and a dark tail with white tips, making it effortless to differentiate from the male’s tail.
Despite being the smallest bird in the United States, the Calliope Hummingbird has a relatively mild temperament, often concealing itself and emitting fewer sounds outside the breeding season.
Similar to many other bird species, the males of the hummingbirds will establish breeding territories within their preferred habitats, and aggressively drive away competing males. As with the Anna’s and Rufous Hummingbirds, the male Calliope Hummingbird will fly up high and dive straight toward the female, producing popping and buzzing sounds.
A unique feature of their courtship display is the male flaring out his dark red gorget feathers right in front of the female, showcasing his striking beauty. Like their hummingbird relatives, the duty of nest-building falls to the female, who selects a well-concealed spot in pine trees or other coniferous vegetation.
The nests are placed high up in the trees to avoid predators on land. Due to their small size, female birds may even use old pine cones as the base of their nests, providing excellent insulation and camouflage.
The Calliope Hummingbird, being a small and agile bird, has a diverse diet consisting mainly of nectar from flowers, but also includes insects that they skilfully catch while in flight.
Unlike other hummingbirds, they are known to forage closer to the ground, often found hovering and sucking sap from small flowers such as the fragrant Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), vibrant Bee balm (Monarda sp), Golden currant (Ribes aureum) and exquisite Western columbine (Aquilegia formosa). In addition to natural food sources, they also benefit from artificial feeders, which provide them with high-energy sugar.
However, they are known to be selective in choosing their feeding stations and often avoid the most popular ones, particularly those already claimed by the Rufous Hummingbird.
The diminutive Calliope Hummingbird is considered “Least Concern (LC)” on the IUCN’s red list, indicating that it is not currently endangered.
Despite their small size, these birds are relatively abundant and widespread, with a stable population. However, due to the lack of knowledge of their life history, it’s hard to identify the potential threats.
Habitat loss and land-use changes in their wintering range in Mexico are considered major concerns that could impact the species’ growth.
Given their smaller wintering range, habitat loss in this area is particularly concerning and could lead to a decline in population size.
The Calliope Hummingbird is not typically found in Florida, as it is a species that primarily breeds and winters in the western regions of North America.
If you want to increase your chances, look for them in small bushes where they often find a favourite branch which they often return to relax and scout for insects and predators.
Looking for forest openings and woodland edges near willow or alder with flowering plants around is a good place to start.
Areas to look for them include:
- Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
- Archbold Biological Station
- Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Everglades National Park
4. Black-Chinned Hummingbird
- Scientific name: (Archilochus alexandri)
- Life span: 3-5 years
- Size: 8.9-9.4 cm (3.5-3.7 inches)
- Weight: 2.5-4 grams
- Wingspan: 11-12 cm (4.3-4.7 inches)
- Status: Least Concern
The Black-Chinned Hummingbird is a small, slender bird with a metallic green back and a black, shiny chin that appears almost purple in certain light. It has a white or pale gray underbelly and a long, thin beak that curves slightly downward.
The males have a distinctive iridescent purple band around their throats, which is used to attract females during the breeding season. Females and juveniles lack this band and are more muted in coloration.
The Black-Chinned Hummingbird is found throughout much of the western United States, Mexico, and parts of Central America, but is also found in Florida. It prefers arid or semi-arid habitats, such as deserts, scrublands, and open woodlands.
During migration, it may also be found in more humid habitats, such as riparian areas and gardens. It is a migratory species, traveling from its breeding grounds in the western US and Mexico to its wintering grounds in southern Mexico and Central America.
The black-chinned hummingbird is not known to nest in Florida. Their breeding range is primarily in western North America, from the southwestern United States to central Mexico. They prefer open woodlands, riparian areas, and brushy habitats, often at higher elevations.
During the breeding season, the female black-chinned hummingbird is responsible for building the nest, which is typically a small cup made of plant fibres and spider silk, often camouflaged with bits of lichen and other materials. The nest is usually located on a branch or twig of a shrub or tree, often near a water source.
The Black-Chinned Hummingbird feeds mainly on nectar from flowers and sugar water from hummingbird feeders. In Florida, they may also consume insects such as mosquitoes and flies.
They have a long, slender beak that allows them to reach deep into flowers to access the nectar. They are known to prefer tubular-shaped flowers, such as those of the Turk’s cap (Malvaviscus arboreus) and coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens).
They will often hover in front of the flowers and use their long tongues to lap up the nectar. In addition to nectar and insects, they may also eat tree sap and pollen. Hummingbirds are important pollinators for many plant species, and their diet plays a crucial role in their ecological role as pollinators.
The Black-Chinned Hummingbird is listed as ‘Least Concern’ on IUCN’s red list, however, like many other migratory bird species, it faces threats to its populations throughout its range, such as habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation, climate change, pesticide use, and competition with non-native species.
These threats have led to declines in some populations, and conservation efforts are underway to address these issues. In some parts of its range, the black-chinned hummingbird is also affected by human activities such as oil and gas exploration and development, which can disrupt breeding habitats and migration routes.
The Black-chinned Hummingbird is not typically found in Florida, as it is mainly found in western parts of North America during the breeding season and in Mexico during the winter. However, there have been occasional sightings of this species in Florida and other eastern states during migration.
If you are interested in looking for the Black-chinned Hummingbird in Florida, your best bet would be to visit areas with high concentrations of hummingbirds during migration season, such as gardens, parks, and nature reserves with nectar-rich plants.
Some potential locations to consider include:
- Everglades National Park
- Big Cypress National Preserve
- Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
5. Allen’s Hummingbird
- Scientific name: Selasphorus sasin
- Life span: 5-6 years
- Size: 7.6-9.4 cm (3-3.7 inches)
- Weight: 2.5-3.6 grams
- Wingspan: 11-12 cm (4.3-4.7 inches)
- Status: Least Concern
Allen’s Hummingbird is a small hummingbird species known for its stunning iridescent plumage. Males have a vibrant orange-red throat and crown, contrasting with their greenish-gray body, while females have a greenish-gray crown and back and a white breast with a few reddish speckles.
These hummingbirds have a straight, slender bills, and their wings produce a distinctive high-pitched whistling sound during flight.
Allen’s Hummingbirds are found along the western coast of North America, breeding from California to Oregon and wintering in Mexico and the southern states of the US. They prefer to inhabit open woodlands, coastal scrublands, and urban areas.
Allen’s Hummingbird is known for its unique nesting behavior, which is quite different from other hummingbird species.
They build their nests on the outer branches of trees, often using spider silk to hold them together and attaching lichen or moss to the outside to camouflage them.
The female bird constructs the nest, which is about the size of a walnut and lays two white eggs about the size of a small jellybean.
Allen’s Hummingbirds are nectarivores, meaning they primarily feed on nectar from flowers. However, they also eat small insects and spiders as a source of protein. They have a long, narrow bill adapted for feeding on nectar from flowers, and their tongue can extend up to twice the length of their bill to reach deep into the flower.
They prefer to feed on flowers with high sucrose content, such as Salvia and Penstemon, but will also feed on other species if necessary. They are known to be territorial when it comes to feeding and will fiercely defend their feeding grounds from other hummingbirds and insects.
In addition to natural food sources, Allen’s Hummingbirds are also known to visit artificial feeders filled with sugar water.
Allen’s Hummingbird is not a common species in Florida and is considered a rare vagrant. As such, there is limited information about its conservation status and history in the state.
The species is primarily found on the West Coast of the United States, with its range extending from Oregon to Baja California. Its population is considered stable, but it is listed as a species of “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to its restricted range.
There are no known major threats to the species, but it may be affected by habitat loss and degradation, as well as climate change. In Florida, the species may face additional threats, such as competition with other hummingbird species and predation by introduced animals.
Allen’s Hummingbird is a rare sight in Florida. However, there have been occasional sightings of Allen’s Hummingbird in Florida during migration, usually between late fall and early spring.
To increase your chances of spotting this elusive species in Florida, it is best to focus your search on areas with a lot of flowering plants, as these birds are attracted to nectar.
Some good places to look for Allen’s Hummingbird in Florida include botanical gardens, nature preserves, and parks with large gardens or flowering trees.
Specific areas include:
- The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
- Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden,
- Flamingo Gardens
6. Broad-Tailed Hummingbird
- Scientific name: Selasphorus platycercus
- Life span: 5-6 years
- Size: 9-10 cm (3.5-4 inches)
- Weight: 2.5-4 grams
- Wingspan: 12 cm (4.7 inches)
- Status: Least Concern
The Broad-tailed Hummingbird is a small but striking bird species that inhabit western North America. With a total length of about 3.5 inches, this species has a metallic green back and crown, a white breast, and a rufous-coloured tail with a brightly iridescent purple throat patch that is particularly visible in males.
The wings of the Broad-tailed Hummingbird produce a distinctive humming sound during the flight due to the rapid beat of their wings, which can reach up to 52 beats per second.
These birds build small cup-shaped nests using plant fibres, moss, and spider webs. The nests are typically located in coniferous trees or shrubs and are often camouflaged with lichens and other materials to blend in with the surrounding environment.
Females are responsible for constructing the nests, which can take up to two weeks to complete.
The broad-tailed hummingbird is primarily nectarivorous. The bird’s long, thin beak and tongue are perfectly adapted for reaching deep into the corolla of flowers and sipping up nectar.
However, the bird also supplements its diet with insects, including gnats, mosquitoes, and other small insects. These insects provide the hummingbird with additional protein and other essential nutrients that are not found in nectar alone.
The conservation status of the broad-tailed hummingbird is currently listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN, as the species has a relatively large range and stable population. While the species has not faced significant population declines in recent years, it has faced threats in the past.
Habitat loss and degradation, particularly in the form of logging and development, have impacted the species’ breeding and feeding areas. Additionally, the use of pesticides and herbicides can reduce the availability of the insects and flowering plants that the birds rely on for food.
The Broad-Billed Hummingbird is extremely rare in Florida and has only been spotted in a few areas in the last couple of years. The hotspot for the sightings is in Baton Rouge with a few other sightings around the north western part of the state.
7. Broad-Billed Hummingbird
- Scientific name: Cynanthus latirostris
- Life span: 5-6 years
- Size: 9-11 cm (3.5-4.3 inches)
- Weight: 3-5 grams
- Wingspan: 12 cm (4.7 inches)
- Status: Least Concern
The Broad-billed Hummingbird is a striking species that inhabits the south- a southwestern region of the United States and parts of Mexico. It is one of the larger hummingbirds, measuring around 9-10 cm in length.
The male has a brilliant turquoise blue head and back, with a metallic green body and bright red bill. The female is slightly duller in color, with a green back and grayish underparts. However, like many hummingbirds, the female still displays iridescent plumage on its throat and tail feathers.
These hummingbirds are typically found in arid and semi-arid habitats, such as desert scrub, mesquite thickets, and oak woodlands.
Broad-billed hummingbirds typically breed from March to August, with the timing varying slightly depending on the location.
The female is responsible for building the nest, which is typically constructed from plant fibres, spider webs, and other soft materials. The nest is usually located on a branch or twig near the end of a tree or shrub.
Broad-billed hummingbirds are known for their territorial behaviour, and they will aggressively defend their nests and feeding areas from other birds and even larger animals. Despite their small size, they are known to chase away birds many times larger than their size, including hawks and crows.
Broad-billed hummingbirds are known for their specialized diet, which consists primarily of nectar from flowers.
Like other hummingbirds, they have long, slender bills and tongues that are adapted for probing deep into flowers to extract nectar. In addition to nectar, broad-billed hummingbirds also feed on small insects and spiders, which provide them with protein and other nutrients.
They catch these insects by hovering in front of flowers or foliage and plucking them out of the air or off the surfaces.
The conservation status of the broad-billed hummingbird is currently listed as “Least Concern” on the IUCN red list. However, like many bird species, it has faced threats to its population in the past.
The primary threats to the broad-billed hummingbird have been habitat loss and degradation, particularly in its desert and grassland habitats in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
These habitats have been impacted by development, agriculture, and grazing, which can destroy or fragment the birds’ breeding and feeding areas. In the past, the broad-billed hummingbird was also heavily hunted for the feathers used in the millinery trade, which led to a decline in population numbers.
However, protections put in place by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in 1918 have helped to reduce this threat.
The Broad-Billed Hummingbird is extremely rare in Florida and has only been spotted in a few areas in the last couple of years. The hotspot for the sightings is in Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park with a few other sightings around the north western part of the state.
8. Buff-Bellied Hummingbird
- Scientific name: Amazilia yucatanensis
- Life span: 5-6 years
- Size: 9-10 cm (3.5-4 inches)
- Weight: 3-5 grams
- Wingspan: 12 cm (4.7 inches)
- Status: Least Concern
The Buff-bellied Hummingbird is a small, colourful species found primarily in the coastal regions of Texas and eastern Mexico. They have a striking appearance, with iridescent green upper parts and a vibrant rust-coloured throat and belly.
The males have a distinctive metallic green head, while the females have a more subdued green color with a white throat. They measure between 3.5 to 4 inches in length, with a wingspan of about 4.5 inches.
The nesting behaviour of the Buff-bellied Hummingbird is similar to a lot of other hummingbirds on this list. The female constructs a petite nest in the shape of a cup, using a combination of plant fibres and spider silk.
Typically, the nest is positioned on a short, flat branch of a tree or bush and is cleverly disguised with lichens and moss. After incubating the eggs by herself for roughly two weeks, both parents alternate feeding duties for the chicks until they leave the nest at approximately three weeks of age.
The Buff-bellied Hummingbird has a primarily nectar-based diet, as is typical for most hummingbirds.
It feeds on the nectar of a wide range of flowering plants, including many species of trees, shrubs, and vines. To supplement its nectar intake, the Buff-bellied Hummingbird also eats small insects and spiders.
The Buff-bellied Hummingbird is classified as “Last Concern” on the IUCN red list. Moreover, its population is believed to be stable, and it is not considered to be at significant risk of extinction. Historically, the Buff-bellied Hummingbird was found only in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas and northeastern Mexico.
However, in recent decades, it has expanded its range northward along the Texas Gulf Coast and is now found as far north as Houston. This expansion is likely due to a combination of factors, including habitat preservation and the planting of flowering plants that provide a food source for the birds.
The Buff-Bellied Hummingbird is extremely rare in Florida and has only been spotted in a few areas in the last couple of years. The hotspot for the sightings is in Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park with a few other sightings around the north western part of the state.
Conclusion
Florida’s hummingbird population is diverse and fascinating, with a wide variety of species inhabiting the state’s many ecosystems. From the colourful and lively Ruby-throated Hummingbird to the elusive Allen’s Hummingbird, these tiny birds capture the imagination of bird enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
They’re also a lot of rare visitors in the north western part of the state like the Buff-Bellied and Broad-Billed Hummingbirds.
Understanding their behaviour, biology, and preferred habitats can greatly enhance the experience of observing them in the wild.
As stewards of the environment, it is important to appreciate the role that hummingbirds play in the ecosystems they inhabit and to protect their habitats from human interference and destruction.
By preserving the natural habitats of these remarkable birds, we can ensure that they continue to thrive in Florida and beyond for generations to come. So, get out there, grab your binoculars, and enjoy the wonder of these amazing creatures!
