12 Species of Hummingbirds You Should Know

Marvelous Spatuletail | Via Getty Images

If you're looking for some of nature's most impressive little athletes, hummingbirds are hard to beat. These tiny birds are masters of flight - they can fly backwards, hover in place like mini helicopters, and flap their wings up to 80 times per second. What's really cool is that all of the world's hummingbirds are found right here in the Americas. That's right - every single one of the 360+ hummingbird species lives somewhere between Alaska and South America.

You won't find hummingbirds anywhere else in the world, which makes them uniquely American birds. From the tiny bee hummingbird in Cuba (which weighs less than a penny) to the giant hummingbird in South America (about the size of a sparrow), there's incredible variety across North and South America. The smaller species are among the tiniest birds on the planet, while the larger ones have developed some pretty interesting ways to survive in their environments.

The Incredible Diversity of Hummingbird Species

Before we meet our featured twelve, let’s address a common question: how many hummingbird species are there exactly? According to the International Ornithologists’ Union, there are currently 366 recognized species of hummingbirds, making them one of the largest bird families in the Americas. Most species of hummingbirds are found in Central and South America, particularly in tropical regions.

How many varieties of hummingbirds are there depends on how you define “variety,” but scientists continue discovering new species regularly. Just in the past decade, researchers have identified several previously unknown species in remote areas of South America like the Blue-throated Hillstar (Oreotrochilus cyanolaemus) that was identified in the Andes of Ecuador in 2017, proving that our understanding of these remarkable birds continues to evolve. Most hummingbirds are not highly specialized feeders and have varied relationships with flowers.

Types of Hummingbirds

Geographic Distribution: Where Do Different Species of Hummingbirds Live?

Here’s something that might surprise you: despite their popularity in North American backyards, the vast majority of different species of hummingbirds call Central and South America home. Ecuador alone hosts over 130 species, while North America has just 23 resident and migrant species. Hummingbird species are found throughout the United States and Canada, with certain species having ranges that extend into these countries.

Are there any hummingbirds native to Australia? This is one of the most common questions, and the answer is definitively no. Hummingbirds are exclusively found in the Americas, from Alaska to the southern tip of Chile. All hummingbird species are found only in the western hemisphere, spanning from South America to North America. Regions such as South Texas, the Gulf Coast, western North America, southern Arizona, southern Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest are important for various hummingbird species, either as breeding grounds, migratory stopovers, or wintering habitats. Some hummingbird species, such as the buff-bellied hummingbird, are considered Mexican birds that also occur in the southern United States. Australia has its own nectar-feeding birds like honeyeaters and lorikeets, but no true hummingbirds.

Hummingbird Behavior: Tiny Birds, Big Personalities

Don’t let their delicate appearance fool you, hummingbirds are some of the boldest birds in the animal kingdom. Despite their tiny size, these feathered dynamos are famous for their feisty attitudes and fearless behavior. Rufous hummingbirds, in particular, have earned a reputation as the “warriors” of the hummingbird world. These fiery little birds will defend their territory with astonishing determination, even chasing away much larger birds, and sometimes even chipmunks, from their nests and favorite feeding spots.

This boldness isn’t just a modern observation. The Aztecs revered hummingbirds, believing they were the reincarnations of fallen warriors, a testament to their spirited and combative nature. Whether you’re watching a hummingbird stand its ground at a backyard feeder in the United States or witnessing a rufous hummingbird zip through a wildflower meadow, you’re seeing a bird with a personality far bigger than its body. It’s no wonder hummingbirds are a favorite among birdwatchers and nature lovers across the Americas.

12 Fascinating Hummingbird Species You Need to Know

1. Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)

Let's start with probably the most familiar species to North Americans. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only hummingbird that regularly breeds in eastern North America, making it the star of countless backyard bird feeders.

Males sport an iridescent ruby-red throat that looks almost black in poor lighting, while females have white throats with occasional dark spots. What makes this species truly remarkable is their migration - these tiny birds, weighing just 3 grams, fly non-stop across the Gulf of Mexico twice yearly, a journey of over 500 miles.

According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds can live up to 9 years in the wild, though most live 3-5 years. Their population appears stable, with an estimated 20-25 million individuals across their range.

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird | Photo by Peter Muller

2. Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna)

Anna’s Hummingbird represents one of the most successful urban adapters among hummingbird species. Originally found only in coastal California and Baja California, these birds have expanded their range significantly thanks to planted gardens and year-round feeding by humans. Anna's Hummingbird has also expanded its range into the Pacific Northwest, where it can now be found year-round.

Males are stunning, with rose-pink throats and crowns that can appear red or even purple depending on the light. They’re also one of the most vocal hummingbirds, producing complex songs rather than just the chips and calls typical of other species.

Research published in British Ecological Society shows that Anna’s Hummingbirds have adapted their metabolism to survive cold winter nights by entering torpor, reducing their metabolic rate by up to 95%. Anna's Hummingbird is unique among hummingbirds for its ability to breed during the winter breeding season.

Anna's Hummingbird | Via Getty Images

3. Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae)

Now we’re talking about a true marvel of evolution. The Bee Hummingbird, found only in Cuba, holds the title of world’s smallest bird. Males weigh just 1.6 grams - less than a penny - and measure only 2 inches long. The bumblebee hummingbird is another one of the smallest bird species globally, known for its diminutive size and also facing threats due to habitat loss.

What is the rarest type of hummingbird? While several species compete for this unfortunate distinction, the Bee Hummingbird is certainly among the most threatened. With fewer than 22,000-60,000 individuals remaining according to BirdLife International, habitat loss poses a serious threat to this Cuban endemic.

These tiny birds are so small that they’re often mistaken for insects, hence their name. Their wings beat at an incredible 80 times per second, faster than almost any other bird species.

Bee Hummingbird | Via Getty Images

4. Giant Hummingbird (Patagona gigas)

On the opposite end of the size spectrum, we have the Giant Hummingbird. At 8.5 inches long and weighing up to 24 grams, it’s roughly eight times larger than the Bee Hummingbird, yet still maintains the classic hummingbird body plan and hovering ability. Larger hummingbirds, such as the Giant Hummingbird, exhibit distinct morphological features and adaptations—like longer bills and unique visual capabilities—compared to smaller species, which influence their foraging strategies and territorial behavior.

Found in the Andes from Ecuador to Chile, Giant Hummingbirds prefer high-altitude environments up to 14,000 feet. Unlike their smaller cousins who beat their wings frantically, Giants have a more measured wingbeat of about 10-15 beats per second.

A fascinating study in the Journal of Experimental Biology revealed that Giant Hummingbirds have proportionally larger hearts than smaller species, an adaptation necessary to pump blood effectively at high altitudes where oxygen is scarce.

Giant Hummingbird | Photo by Ondej Prosicky

5. Sword-billed Hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera)

Speaking of evolutionary marvels, the Sword-billed Hummingbird has the longest bill relative to body size of any bird in the world. Their bills can measure up to 4 inches long - longer than their bodies excluding the tail.

This extraordinary adaptation allows them to feed from flowers with extremely long corollas, particularly Passiflora mixta, a passion vine found in the Andes. The sword-billed hummingbird relies on flower nectar from these specialized blooms as its primary energy source. It’s a perfect example of co-evolution, where both species evolved together over millions of years.

Because of their unwieldy bills, Sword-billed Hummingbirds must groom themselves with their feet rather than their bills, unlike other hummingbird species. They’re found from Venezuela to Bolivia at elevations between 2,500-10,500 feet.

Sword-billed Hummingbird | Photo by Ken Canning

6. Violet Sabrewing (Campylopterus hemileucurus)

The Violet Sabrewing is one of the largest hummingbirds in Central America and arguably one of the most beautiful. Males display deep violet-blue plumage with distinctive curved, white-tipped tail feathers that give them their “sabrewing” name.

These impressive birds, found from southern Mexico to Panama, are dominant at feeders and flowers, often chasing away smaller species. Research in Costa Rica has shown that Violet Sabrewings can remember the locations of hundreds of individual flowers and their blooming schedules. As important pollinators, the plants pollinated by the Violet Sabrewing benefit from its frequent visits, which help ensure successful reproduction.

What is the most beautiful hummingbird in the world? Beauty is subjective, but the Violet Sabrewing consistently ranks among the top contenders with its stunning iridescent plumage and impressive size.

Violet Sabrewing | Photo by Neil Bowman

7. Marvelous Spatuletail (Loddigesia mirabilis)

Endemic to Peru’s remote Río Utcubamba valley, the Marvelous Spatuletail might be the most extraordinarily adorned of all different species of hummingbirds. Males possess just four tail feathers - two normal ones and two incredibly long outer feathers that end in large violet-blue discs or “spatules.”

During courtship displays, males cross these spatule feathers over their backs while hovering, creating one of nature’s most spectacular performances. These elaborate performances are unique mating displays designed to attract females, often involving complex aerial maneuvers and visual signals to demonstrate fitness.

Unfortunately, this species is endangered, with fewer than 1,000 individuals remaining due to habitat destruction.

Conservation efforts led by the American Bird Conservancy and local Peruvian organizations have established protected areas specifically for this species, offering hope for its survival.

Marvelous Spatuletail | Photo by Neil Bowman

8. Long-tailed Sylph (Aglaiocercus kingii)

The Long-tailed Sylph, found in cloud forests from Venezuela to Bolivia, showcases sexual dimorphism taken to an extreme. Males sport brilliant emerald-green backs, sapphire-blue crowns, and extraordinarily long, deeply forked tails that can measure up to 7 inches.

Females, by contrast, are much more subdued with green backs and cinnamon-colored underparts. This dramatic difference reflects the evolutionary pressure on males to develop increasingly elaborate ornaments to attract mates.

Studies published in Behavioral Ecology have shown that female Long-tailed Sylphs prefer males with longer, more symmetrical tails, driving the evolution of these impressive appendages. These tail displays help males attract females during the breeding season.

Long-tailed Sylph | Photo by Artush Photo

9. White-necked Jacobin (Florisuga mellivora)

The White-necked Jacobin represents one of the most widespread species of hummingbirds in Central and South America, ranging from Mexico to Brazil. What makes this species particularly interesting is its unusual social behavior - they often feed in groups rather than defending individual territories.

Males are stunning with bright blue heads, white bellies, and white collars that give them their name. Some females actually develop male-like plumage, possibly to reduce harassment from dominant birds at feeding sites. This adaptation may also help them avoid aggression from other birds at crowded feeding sites.

White-necked Jacobin | Photo by Mats Lindberg

10. Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus)

Don’t let their small size fool you - Rufous Hummingbirds are among the feistiest of all hummingbird species. These orange-red dynamos migrate farther than any other hummingbird, traveling up to 3,900 miles from Alaska to Mexico. The Rufous Hummingbird has the northernmost breeding range of any hummingbird species, extending into southern Alaska. Their breeding range covers a vast area from southern Alaska through the Pacific Northwest.

Despite weighing just 3-4 grams, Rufous Hummingbirds regularly chase away birds many times their size, including hawks and crows. Their aggressive nature helps them monopolize prime feeding territories during migration. Rufous Hummingbirds also defend their breeding grounds vigorously to ensure access to prime resources.

Sadly, Rufous Hummingbird populations have declined by over 60% since 1970 according to the North American Bird Breeding Survey, making conservation efforts increasingly critical.

Rufous Hummingbird | Via Getty Images

11. Booted Racket-tail (Ocreatus underwoodii)

The Booted Racket-tail, found in cloud forests from Venezuela to Peru, gets its name from the distinctive white “boots” of downy feathers around its legs and the racket-shaped tips of its outer tail feathers.

Males use these ornate tail feathers in elaborate courtship displays, vibrating them to create unique sounds while hovering in front of females. During these displays, Booted Racket-tails often perform a figure eight pattern in flight, showcasing their agility and control as part of their mating behavior. Each population has slightly different tail shapes and display behaviors, suggesting ongoing evolution and possible species divergence.

This species demonstrates how how many different species of hummingbirds are there continues to be an active area of research, as genetic studies reveal hidden diversity within what appear to be single species.

. Booted Racket-tail | Via Getty Images

12. Green Hermit (Phaethornis guy)

Our final featured species represents the hermit group, a fascinating branch of the hummingbird family tree. Green Hermits, found from Costa Rica to Peru, live in the understory of tropical forests rather than in open areas like many hummingbird species.

Males don’t defend territories but instead gather at leks - communal display grounds where they compete for female attention through elaborate songs and dances. Their curved bills are perfectly adapted for feeding from curved flowers like heliconias.

Green Hermits are particularly important for forest ecology, as they’re the primary pollinators for many understory plants that other hummingbirds can’t reach effectively. The availability of diverse flower resources in the understory is crucial for their survival and reproductive success.

Green Hermit | Via Getty Images

Most Common Types of Hummingbirds

What are the most common types of hummingbirds? This depends entirely on where you live. In North America, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds dominate the east while Anna’s, Allen’s, and Rufous Hummingbirds are most common in the west.

In North America, other common or notable species include the broad-billed hummingbird, broad-tailed hummingbirds, calliope hummingbird, Allen's hummingbird, black-chinned hummingbird, and buff-bellied hummingbird. Allen's hummingbirds and buff-bellied hummingbirds have experienced population changes and are of conservation interest. Species such as the green-breasted mango, berylline hummingbird, lucifer hummingbird, Rivoli's hummingbird, and cinnamon hummingbird are found in specific regions or occasionally appear as vagrant species in the United States. Vagrant species, such as the cinnamon hummingbird, are rare visitors to the United States and are highly sought after by birdwatchers.

Globally, some of the most abundant species include:

• Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl) - widespread from Mexico to Ecuador

• Blue-crowned Woodnymph (Thalurania colombica) - common from Mexico to Peru

• Green-crowned Brilliant (Heliodoxa jacula) - abundant in Central American mountains

• Steely-vented Hummingbird (Amazilia saucerrottei) - common in northern South America

These species succeed because they’re adaptable, can use a variety of food sources, and tolerate human-modified environments.

Attracting Hummingbirds: How to Welcome These Jewels to Your Garden

If you want to attract hummingbirds to your garden, you’re in for a treat—these tiny jewels bring energy and color wherever they go. The key to welcoming hummingbirds is to provide a buffet of nectar-rich flowers and a safe, inviting habitat. Trumpet-shaped blooms like honeysuckle and fuchsia are irresistible to hummingbirds, but don’t overlook native favorites like coral honeysuckle and bee balm, which not only offer sweet nectar but also attract small flying insects that hummingbirds rely on for protein.

To give your local hummingbird population an extra boost, consider hanging a hummingbird feeder filled with a simple sugar-water solution (never use honey or artificial sweeteners). Place feeders near flowering plants and keep them clean to prevent mold and disease. By planting a variety of flowers that bloom throughout the season and providing a steady supply of both nectar and insects, you’ll create a haven that will attract hummingbirds and keep them coming back all year long.

Conservation Challenges and Success Stories

Understanding how many species of hummingbirds face threats is crucial for conservation. According to the IUCN Red List, 58 hummingbird species are currently threatened with extinction, while several others have already disappeared.

The primary threats include:

Habitat Loss: Deforestation for agriculture and development destroys the specialized ecosystems many hummingbirds depend on. Cloud forests, where many species live, are particularly vulnerable.

Climate Change: Shifting weather patterns affect flowering schedules and nectar availability. Mountain species are especially vulnerable as they have nowhere to go when temperatures rise.

Introduced Species: Non-native plants and animals disrupt the delicate co-evolutionary relationships between hummingbirds and their food sources.

Cat Predation: Domestic and feral cats pose a significant risk to hummingbird populations by preying on these small birds, especially in areas near human habitation.

Differences between male and female hummingbirds, such as size, bill length, and behavior, can influence their vulnerability to threats and their reproductive success. For example, female hummingbirds are often larger and may have different foraging strategies compared to males, affecting how each sex copes with environmental pressures.

Hummingbirds have unique physiological adaptations, such as the ability to enter a state of torpor, during which they lower their body temperature to conserve energy when food is scarce or during cold weather.

However, there are success stories. The Xantus’s Hummingbird, once thought extinct, was rediscovered on Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. Conservation efforts in Ecuador have protected critical habitat for dozens of endemic species through the Jocotoco Foundation’s reserve network.

What You Can Do to Help

Every person can contribute to hummingbird conservation:

Create Hummingbird Gardens: Plant native flowering plants that bloom at different times throughout the growing season. Avoid pesticides that can poison birds directly or eliminate their insect prey.

Maintain Clean Feeders: If you feed hummingbirds, clean feeders every 3-4 days with hot water and mild soap. Use a 4:1 water-to-sugar ratio and never use honey or artificial sweeteners.

Support Conservation Organizations: Groups like the American Bird Conservancy, Hummingbird Society, and local Audubon chapters work directly on hummingbird conservation projects.

Practice Sustainable Tourism: When visiting tropical countries, choose eco-lodges and tour operators that support local conservation efforts.

Participate in Citizen Science: Projects like eBird and Journey North rely on everyday people to track hummingbird populations and migration patterns.

Interesting Facts About Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are among the most fascinating bird species on the planet, with over 365 different hummingbird species dazzling birdwatchers from North America to South America and the Caribbean. The bee hummingbird, native to Cuba, holds the title of the world’s smallest bird, weighing less than 2 grams—lighter than a dime! On the other end of the spectrum, the giant hummingbird can tip the scales at up to 20 grams, making it the largest of all hummingbird species.

Many species, like the ruby throated hummingbird and broad tailed hummingbird, are famous for their epic migrations, traveling thousands of miles between breeding and wintering grounds. Others, such as Anna’s hummingbird, are year-round residents in milder climates. Hummingbirds are instantly recognizable by their iridescent feathers, rapid wingbeats, and ability to hover in place as they sip nectar from flowers. But they’re more than just beautiful—they’re also vital pollinators, helping countless flowering plants reproduce. With so many species and such a wide range of adaptations, it’s no wonder hummingbirds continue to capture the imagination of people around the world.

The Future of Hummingbird Research

Scientists continue making remarkable discoveries about these aerial athletes. Recent research has revealed that hummingbirds can see ultraviolet light, detect magnetic fields for navigation, and have spatial memory capabilities that rival primates.

Genetic studies are revolutionizing our understanding of how many different species of hummingbirds are there, with new species being described regularly and others being split into multiple species based on DNA analysis.

Biomimicry researchers study hummingbird flight to develop better drones and aircraft, while physiologists investigate their incredible metabolisms for insights into human health and energy efficiency.

Hummingbirds Matter

The 12 species of hummingbirds we've explored today represent just a tiny fraction of the incredible diversity within this remarkable bird family. From the mighty Giant Hummingbird soaring through Andean peaks to the tiny Bee Hummingbird darting through Cuban gardens, each species has evolved unique solutions to the challenges of high-energy flight and specialized feeding.

These birds are far more than just beautiful garden visitors. They're critical pollinators for thousands of plant species, indicators of ecosystem health, and living examples of evolution's incredible creativity. How many varieties of hummingbirds are there will likely continue growing as scientists explore remote tropical forests and apply new genetic techniques.

But many of these remarkable species won't survive without our help. By understanding their needs, supporting conservation efforts, and making our own spaces more hummingbird-friendly, we can ensure that future generations will continue to marvel at these jeweled aerialists.

The next time you see a hummingbird hovering at your feeder or darting between flowers, take a moment to appreciate the millions of years of evolution that created this perfect flying machine. Whether it's one of the common backyard species or a rare tropical endemic, you're witnessing one of nature's greatest success stories - and with our help, it can continue for millions of years to come.