In the United States, there have been reports of about 30 distinct hummingbird species. Some are frequent visitors, while others are rare or accidental guests. We have identified two common or semi-common species and four uncommon species of hummingbirds in Maryland. In Maryland, you may see six different types of hummingbirds.
6 HUMMINGBIRDS IN MARYLAND
We’ve prepared a list of hummingbirds that may be seen in Maryland based on range maps from trustworthy sources like allaboutbirds.org and ebird.org. The species name, a picture of what it looks like, information on how it appears, and where and when you may find them are all included for each species in this list. The two most popular species will be listed first, followed by the four uncommon ones.
Click here to learn when hummingbirds will be returning to your state, and stay tuned until the conclusion of the article for advice on attracting hummingbirds to your yard.
Enjoy!
1. RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD
In the eastern part of the United States, Ruby-throated hummingbirds are the most common hummingbird. In Maryland, they are by far the most prevalent hummingbird. The back and underparts of both sexes are green. The throat of males is ruby red, which can turn black under certain circumstances.
They arrive in waves from their Central American wintering grounds every spring. They take one non-stop flight over the Gulf of Mexico! Backyard nectar feeders and flowers are a surefire way to attract ruby-throated hummingbirds.
Throughout Maryland’s spring and summer months, ruby-throated hummingbirds may be seen. In April and May, they will come, and in September, they will go.
2. RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Selasphorus rufus
When it comes to sharing feeders and driving away other hummers, rufous hummingbirds are well-known for being quite “feisty.” The upper breast of males is white, and their neck is orange-red. Green females have strewn patches on their throats and are speckled.
They go up through California in the spring, spend the summer in the Pacific Northwest and Canada, then zip back down through the Rockies in the fall. While they are the second most often seen species on the east coast after the ruby-throated hummingbird, rufous are considered a western hummingbird in the United States.
Throughout Maryland, there have been recorded sightings of the rufous hummingbird. They aren’t particularly frequent, but there appears to be at least one documented sighting every year, usually in the late fall or winter.
3. BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Archilochus alexandri
Each year, black-chinned hummingbirds migrate to the western United States to breed after spending the winter in Mexico and Central America. In most light, males have a small strip of purple feathers near the bottom of their throat, which is sometimes visible. Femen appear green above and pale below with a plain throat, much like most hummingbird women. They prefer to perch on bare branches and may be found in a variety of habitats, from deserts to mountain forests.
They have been spotted in most states along the east coast, including Maryland, where there have been a few sightings in recent years. They are birds of the west coast. While they are still uncommon in the state, you may get lucky if you find them. During the late fall or winter months, these vagrants are most likely to appear.
4. CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Selasphorus calliope
The calliope hummingbird breeds in the Pacific Northwest and sections of western Canada during the winter and spends much of its time in Central America. The calliope is the smallest bird in the United States, so that’s an impressively long migration!
Males have a distinct magenta striped throat that forks down on both sides of the neck. The throat of females is spotted with green, and the underparts are peachy.
On the east coast, Calliope Hummingbirds are considered uncommon, however they have been seen in Maryland on occasion. During the colder months around the bay, such as at Chesapeake Beach and Cape St.Clair, the greatest chance of seeing one appears to be. They’ve been seen before, and Claire is familiar with them.
5. ALLEN’S HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Selasphorus sasin
Every year, these tiny guys travel from Central America to California’s Pacific Coast to breed. It’s difficult to tell the difference between them because their color is so similar to that of the Rufous hummingbird. The neck of Allen’s males is orange with a green back. The throat of females is speckled, and their flanks are brownish-orange. In comparison to other hummingbirds, they migrate at a very early age, arriving in California in January.
Since 2008, according to eBird, Allen’s has been seen on three occasions in Maryland, which is unusual.
6. ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Calypte anna
In actuality, Anna is only in the United States for a few days. They can be found throughout much of their range, however only in a few western states, such as California, throughout the year. Their feathers are coated in emerald feathers, and their green is more vivid and glossy than that of most other birds. The colorful feathers on males’ foreheads stretch up to their rosy-pink throats.
ATTRACTING HUMMINGBIRDS TO YOUR YARD
1. HANG HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS
Hanging a nectar feeder in your yard may be the best way to attract hummingbirds. Hummingbirds must be fed on a regular basis, and finding nectar sources that are dependable is vital. Pick a feeder with a red finish that’s simple to disassemble and clean. Cleaning and refilling must be done more than once a week during hot weather. For most people, we recommend a saucer-shaped feeder. They’re easy to clean, work properly, and don’t hold a lot of nectar for their size.
2. MAKE YOUR OWN NECTAR
By making your own nectar, you can avoid unnecessary (and occasionally harmful) additives and red dyes. It’s inexpensive, simple, and fast. Just add 1 cup white sugar to 4 cups water to make 1:4 simple syrup. Creating your own nectar without having to heat the water is simple with our step-by-step guide.
3. PLANT NATIVE FLOWERS
Plant flowers in your yard that will attract passing hummingbirds, in addition to a feeder. Red (as well as orange, pink, and purple) blooms, as well as trumpet or tubular-shaped blooms, are particularly attractive to them. Vertical planting might help you get the most out of your space. Long cascading vines of flowers can be grown on an obelisk trellis or a flat trellis attached to the side of your home. Hummingbirds are drawn to the following twenty plants and flowers.
4. PROVIDE WATER
Hummingbirds require drink and bath water. They will utilize baths with the correct “specifications,” regardless of whether they prefer traditional bird baths too deep. You can buy ready-to-use hummingbird baths, or you can make something wonderful for your garden.
5. PROMOTE INSECTS
Sugar isn’t enough for most hummingbirds; they also need protein. Little insects account for a third of their diet. Mosquitoes, fruit flies, spiders, and gnats are all included in this. Avoiding pesticides is a great way to help your hummers. Check out our 5 simple tips for more information on insect feeders and ways to help feed hummingbirds.