Hummingbirds have been identified in the United States in 27 different species, according to reports. Every year, some of these are common, while others are uncommon or accidental visitors. We have identified 11 species of hummingbirds that are common or semi-common in Arizona, as well as six species that have been seen multiple times but are considered uncommon. Arizona is one of the greatest places in America to feed and watch hummingbirds, with a total of 17 species of hummers. Arizona has the benefit of drawing certain hummingbirds that are not seen anywhere else because it shares a border with Mexico.
17 HUMMINGBIRDS IN ARIZONA
We’ve compiled a list of hummingbirds that may be seen in Arizona based on range maps from trustworthy sources such as allaboutbirds.org and ebird.org. The species name, image, characteristics about appearance, and where and when you may find them are all included for each species in this list. The 11 most frequent species will be mentioned first, followed by the six others.
Don’t miss the section at the conclusion of the article on how to attract hummingbirds to your yard.
Enjoy!
1. RIVOLI’S HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Eugenes fulgens
The magnificent hummingbird used to be the name for the Rivoli’s hummingbird. Males have a brighter teal-colored neck and a dark purple head. Green and brown are the colors of their bodies. In some light, they may seem to be overall black. Females have green above and white below, whereas males do not. They have a longer beak and are somewhat bigger than typical hummingbirds in the United States. They prefer shaded canyons and hilly forests, and are mostly found in Mexico.
Rivoli’s are frequent visitors in Arizona, which is one of the few states where they can be found. They’re more often seen in the Coconino, Apache-Sitgreaves, and Tonto national forests to the south of Tucson. They return to Mexico in the fall after visiting in the spring and summer.
2. BLUE-THROATED MOUNTAIN GEM
Scientific name: Lampornis clemenciae
The largest hummingbird species in the United States is the blue-throated mountain gem. The face of both sexes is striped with two white streaks, a green back, and a gray breast. The throat of males is a vivid blue color. Seek them out in nature among flower-lined streams.
Look in rocky areas for them. Mount. Rushmore is the most popular attraction in Arizona. Mt. Lemmon is a mountain in Arizona. The sky islands, Graham, Millers Peak, and so on. They’re mostly only visiting the United States. If they discover a particularly excellent feeding location during the breeding season, they may spend the winter there.
3. LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Calothorax lucifer
The throat of the male lucifer hummingbird is magenta-purple, and it extends down over their upper chest, flaring out on either side. They have a forked tail and a bill that is somewhat bent downwards. Females have a cinnamon patch on the upper tail feathers and are green above with a light underside. In the United States, these hummingbirds are difficult to locate. Birders are quite interested in them. Canyons and scrub with agave and cactus are their preferred environments.
Hummingbirds from Lucifer may be seen only in the far southeastern portion of the state, such as Guindani Canyon, Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary, and east whitetail canyon. They arrive in Arizona between March and September.
4. RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Archilochus colubris
The eastern section of the US is home to Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, which are more frequent than in Arizona. The back is green, with white underparts. In some lighting, males’ throats may appear to be black. They arrive in bunches each spring from Central America, where they spent the winter. In a single flight, many people heading to the eastern United States cross the Gulf of Mexico.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds are a scarce sight in Arizona, and their presence is sporadic.
5. BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Selasphorus platycerus
Hummingbirds in the broad-tailed variety breed at heights of up to 10,500 feet in the highlands. The throat of males is crimson-magenta. The throat and cheeks of females are speckled with green, and the sides are buffy.
Short-term visitors to the United States include broad-tailed hummingbirds. Between May and August, look for them in meadows and forest clearings in Arizona’s numerous national forests and mountain parks.
6. BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Archilochus alexandri
Each year, black-chinned hummingbirds travel north from Mexico and Central America to breed in the western United States. In most light, males have a small stripe of purple feathers at the bottom of their throat that is sometimes visible. Females are green on top and pale below, with a plain throat, as is typical of most hummingbird females. They prefer to perch on bare branches and may be found in a variety of environments, from deserts to mountain woods.
From spring to fall, look for black-chinned hummingbirds around Arizona. They may, however, travel across the state via the southwestern sections.
7. CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Selasphorus calliope
The Pacific Northwest and portions of western Canada are where the calliope hummingbird breeds during the breeding season, although it may be seen in Arizona in the spring and fall. Given the calliope is the tiniest bird in the United States, this is an impressively long migration! Males have a distinctive magenta stripe throat design that forks down on either side of the neck. Plain females have a peachy tint to their underparts and a few green flecks on their neck.
Only during migration do Calliope Hummingbirds stop in Arizona. The Grand Canyon, Coconino National Forest, and in the southeast around Tuscon are some of the most frequently recorded sites.
8. 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 top breast is white, and the neck is orange-red in males. Green females with a speckled throat and rusty patches They migrate up through California in the spring, then to the Pacific northwest and Canada in the summer, before returning to the Rockies in the autumn.
While migrating, Rufous Hummingbirds simply stop in Arizona. In the spring and late summer, keep an eye out for them. During August and September, they seem to be most prevalent in the state.
9. ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Calypte anna
Anna, in actuality, remains in the United States. They can be found in a few of the western states, particularly Arizona, throughout their range all year. Their feathers are splattered with emerald feathers, and their green is a little more vibrant and iridescent than that of most others. The handsome feathers on the foreheads of males extend up onto their cheeks. They adore gardens and eucalyptus trees, and they’re content in the backyards.
Anna’s may be found across much of Arizona, from Phoenix to Tucson, although they are scarce in the state’s northeastern corner. They may only stay in the state during the winter in more southeastern sections.
10. BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Cynanthus latirostris
In the United States, there are just two states: Arizona and New Mexico are where the broad-billed hummingbird breeds. With their purpleish-blue neck and blueish-green belly, males are difficult to mistake. Their beak is also orange, with a black tip. Females have a typical black beak and are washed out green on top and grayish on the bottom.
In places like Patagonia and Miracle Valley, the most common sightings of broad-billed hummingbirds are in the far southeastern corner of the state.
11. ALLEN’S HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Selasphorus sasin
Every year, these small guys fly from Central America to the Pacific Coast, where they breed. It may be difficult distinguishing these hummingbirds because their coloring is similar to that of the Rufous. The back and neck of Allen’s males are orange, with a green tint. The throat of females is speckled, with a dull green back and brownish-orange flanks. As compared to other hummingbirds, they migrate to California in January, rather early.
In Arizona, Allen’s are uncommon, but they may be seen during migration season, particularly around July or August.
12. WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Basilinna leucotis
Hummingbirds with white ears are native to Mexico and Central America, but may be seen in the southwestern United States on occasion. A black head with a wide white stripe that starts over the eye, a green body, and black wings are seen on both females and males. The beak of a male is orange, with a black tip, and his neck is blueish-green. His face can appear black for most of the time due to purple on it.
In Arizona, white-eared hummingbirds are a uncommon visitor. Mt. Vernon, New York and Burlington, Vermont are two places where they’ve been spotted. The Chiricahua Mountains, Miller Peak, and Lemmon.
13. MEXICAN VIOLETEAR (AKA GREEN VIOLETEAR)
Scientific name: Colibri thalassinus
While they have been reported in various states in the US, notably in the eastern half of the state of Texas, the bigger Mexican violetear is exclusively found in Mexico and Central America. Their emerald green body, black wings, and patch of iridescent purple on their cheek distinguish them from smaller hummingbirds.
In Arizona, the Mexican violetear is considered uncommon, although it’s possible to encounter them from time to time.
14. VIOLET-CROWNED HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Leucolia violiceps
This little gem is quite common in Mexico, and it has been known to enter the United States in southern Arizona. Their back is dark gray, while the front is pure white. Their head has a purple cap, while the beak is orange with a black tip.
The far southeastern corner of Arizona is home to the violet-crowned hummingbird. Many sightings have been recorded in Tucson, near Patagonia Lake State Park, and around the Ramsey Canyon Preserve.
15. BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Saucerottia beryllina
The head and chest of the berylline hummingbird are completely green, while the back and underparts are either light or buffy. Just a few sightings of these Mexican hummingbirds have been reported in the United States. Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico are among the states affected.
In Arizona, beylline hummers are only found in Madera Canyon, Ramsey Canyon Preserve, and near Crystal Cave.
16. COSTA’S HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Calypte costae
The deep purple faces of male Costa Ricans are well-known. Their foreheads and throats are adorned with a hint of purple, and their feathers protrude out on both sides like a moustache. Green above and white below, females are green. The wings and tail of Costas are shorter than those of other hummingbirds. Baja and southern California are home to them all year.
Throughout the spring-summer breeding season, Costas may be seen throughout the state, particularly in the southwestern corner. In the southern portion of the state, they are far more prevalent.
17. PLAIN-CAPPED STARTHROAT
Scientific name: Heliomaster constantii
The plain-capped starthroat is found mostly on Mexico’s western shore and South America’s, although it may venture into Arizona from time to time. A bigger hummingbird with a extraordinarily long beak. The black stripe across the eye and white patch on the rump are other helpful identifying features. Males have a darker red color on their throats, which appears blackish.
Miller Canyon, Madera Canyon, Sycamore Canyon, Portal and Patagonia have all been spotted with them. However, in the United States, they are considered uncommon. They only appear every other year or so.
ATTRACTING HUMMINGBIRDS TO YOUR YARD
1. HANG HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS
Hanging a nectar feeder in your garden is probably the best way to attract hummingbirds. Hummingbirds must be fed on a regular basis, and obtaining dependable nectar is critical. Pick a feeder that’s simple to disassemble and clean, and choose one with the color red on it. Cleaning and refilling must be done more than once each week during hot weather. For most people, we recommend a saucer-shaped feeder. They are simple to maintain, operate well, and do not hold a lot of nectar.
2. MAKE YOUR OWN NECTAR
By making your own nectar, you can avoid unnecessary (and sometimes deadly) additives and red dyes. It’s a low-cost, efficient process. Just put 1 cup sugar in 4 cups of water to make plain white sugar, which is all you need. Creating your own nectar without having to boil the water is simple with our how-to guide.
3. PLANT NATIVE FLOWERS
Plant flowers in your yard that will attracts passing hummingbirds, apart from a feeder. Red (as well as orange, pink, and purple) blooms, as well as trumpet or tubular-shaped blossoms, attract them in particular. Vertical planting might help you save space. A big vertical surface for long cascading vines of flowers may be provided by an obelisk trellis or a flat trellis fastened to the side of your home. Hummingbirds like the following 20 plants and flowers
4. PROVIDE WATER
Hummingbirds require water in order to drink and bath. They will use baths with the appropriate “specifications,” even if they may find traditional bird baths to deep. You may find a variety of hummingbird bath options on the market, as well as some terrific DIY projects for your property.
5. PROMOTE INSECTS
Sugar isn’t enough for most hummingbirds, so they must also eat protein. Little insects account for up to a third of their diets. Mosquitoes, fruit flies, spiders, and gnats are all examples of this. By avoiding pesticides, you may help your hummers. Check out our 5 simple tips for more advice on insect feeders and ways to encourage hummingbirds to eat insects.