On the eastern coast of the United States, hummingbird watching can be challenging. This is the only place where the Ruby-throated Hummingbird breeds. The year-round mild climate in Florida, as well as its proximity to the southern half of Mexico and the Caribbean islands, allows for rare visits from a wide range of hummingbird species. We look at 11 species of hummingbirds in Florida, from the ubiquitous to the rare and spontaneous visitors, in this article.
ARE THERE HUMMINGBIRDS IN FLORIDA?
Florida does get more than most states on the east coast, despite the fact that there are only two species of hummingbirds that live there regularly.
Throughout the breeding season in the spring and summer, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds may be found in large numbers in Florida, whereas Rufous Hummingbird populations may be seen in small concentrations throughout the winter.
Bahama Woodstars, Black-chinned Hummingbirds, Anna’s Hummingbirds, Allen’s Hummingbirds, Costa’s Hummingbirds, Calliope Hummingbirds, Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, and Broad-billed Humningbirds are just a few of the other species of hummingbugs that have made rare appearances in Florida.
11 DIFFERENT SPECIES OF HUMMINGBIRDS IN FLORIDA
1. RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD
Before traveling south to Central America in the winter, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are the only hummers that breed in the eastern United States. Throughout the spring and summer, they may be found all throughout Florida, and during the winter, they may be found at the peninsula’s southern tip.
In open woodlands and meadows, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are common. Suburbs are also home to them, and they’re frequently seen visiting outside birdfeeders and gardens. These seem to prefer red and orange flowers the most, even though they sip nectar from a variety of them. Read this additional article for a more extensive list of what flowers and plants attract hummingbirds in your garden.
They hover in front of a feeder or flower to feed on nectar, using their rapidly beating wings. They then use their long bills to reach inside the flower and collect nectar using their long bills. They may also aid in pollinating throughout this procedure. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds will eat insects on occasion, despite preferring flower nectar as their primary food source.
The upperparts of these hummingbirds are emerald-green, with white underparts and bellies. When the light hits a male’s throat patch, it becomes iridescent red. Their legs are so short that they are only used to perch and shuffle along, rather than walk or hop, and their wings are short enough that they don’t reach past their tails when perched.
2. RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD
The winter range of Rufous Hummingbirds extends east into minor slivers of Florida, despite the fact that they are mostly seen in the western part of the United States. Rufous Hummingbirds have been seen all over the United States, despite their wider range than most other hummingbirds. They’re the most likely to go out of their usual range of hummingbirds.
While perched, Rufous Hummingbirds have short wings that don’t extend beyond their tails. Their bills are narrow and upright. The plumage of male Rufous Hummingbirds is nearly completely coverd by coppery-orange feathers. They have green patches on their backs and wings, and their bellies are cream-colored with a nearly white tint towards the chest. On their sides and tails, females have a faint orange coloration.
Despite their tiny size, these hummingbirds have been known to be quite aggressive. They will fiercely protect flowers, feeders, and spaces — attacking anybody who gets in the way, even if they are substantially bigger.
Rare and occasional hummingbirds in Florida
3. BAHAMA WOODSTAR
Bahama Woodstars, which are native to the Bahama Islands, are named after their location in the Bahama Islands. The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos are two of these islands. It’s no surprise that these islands have been spotted in the state numerous times, despite the fact that they don’t live here on a regular basis.
Males of these tiny hummingbirds have purple coloration on their throats and foreheads, rather than red, and resemble Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. Their tails are likewise long and fork-ended. Orange edges surround females. Bahama Woodstars can be found in wooded environments as well as scrubby regions, and they are regular visitors to gardens and feeders.
4. BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD
Male Black-chinned Hummingbirds have purple coloration over their throats, much like Bahama Woodstars, however their patches are considerably smaller. As their name suggests, the top part of their necks is black. The green plumage with grayish-white underparts covers the remainder of their bodies. Some Black-chinned Hummingbirds have been seen in Florida, despite their primary range being the western part of the nation.
5. ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD
Although they are common in the western states, Anna’s Hummingbirds are uncommon in Florida, with one recorded sighting in the northern part of the state. They prefer clearings in open areas and woods. They’re also likely to feeders and gardens, as well as inhabiting desert scrub.
Males have little, iridescent, pink patches on the sides of their necks and are mostly green. Hummingbirds with broad tails and stocky bodies, they’re medium-sized. When perched, their wings are small and don’t extend beyond their tails, and their beaks are also smaller than those of other hummingbirds. Males have a buzzy, metallic-sounding call that is typically quite vocal.
6. ALLEN’S HUMMINGBIRD
Male Allen’s Hummingbirds have a green back, which makes them look a lot like Rufous Hummingbirds. Nonetheless, this characteristic is occasionally seen in Rufous Hummingbirds, making it difficult to distinguish them from one another. In the sun, both sexes have iridescent orange throat patches.
In comparison to Rufous Hummingbirds, Allen’s Hummingbirds have a limited range. They are only found in California, where they breed exclusively along the western coast. They can be found in shrubby places, somewhat open environments, and coastal gardens all over California.
7. COSTA’S HUMMINGBIRD
The verdes of the southwestern United States and western Mexico are home to Costa’s Hummingbirds. They go to the beaches of California during the summer to escape the heat. Rare sightings of Costa’s Hummingbirds have been recorded in Florida, however, like many of the hummingbirds on this list.
With short tails and somewhat downcurved beaks, these little hummingbirds are tiny even for hummers. Males have a royal purple forehead and neck, while the females are green in coloration. In early spring, males emit a particular high-pitched whistle. Off-white underparts and no purple highlights characterize female plumage.
8. CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD
During their breeding season, Calliope Hummingbirds are mostly seen in the United States’ northern western region, but they’ve also been seen in Florida’s northern region. Mountain meadows, shrubby areas, and open woodlands are where you’ll find them.
In North America, these are the smallest hummingbirds and birds you’ll find. They’re barely 3 inches long and weigh only one-tenth of an ounce. In comparison to other hummingbirds, both their tails and bills are short. Males have throats streaked with a beautiful, iridescent magenta, whereas females are generally dreary in color.
9. BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD
Broad-tailed hummingbirds have been discovered in the state’s far northwestern corner, although this is a very unusual occurrence. Throughout the breeding season, they range throughout the mountainous western section of the US, then migrate to southern Mexico during the winter.
The upperparts of male Broad-tailed Hummingbirds are emerald green, the chests are white, and the throat patch is red. Females of this species, like other hummingbird species, lack a throat patch and are drab in hue. Males emit a unique, metallic trill before the bird is even visible, which is often heard. Nonetheless, it’s easier to locate large clusters of Broad-tailed hummingbirds at mountain meadows full of blooms.
10. BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD
Bright, blue-green plumage is iridescent in the right light and covers male Broad-billed Hummingbirds. The majority of their bills are vivid red with a black tip. Hummingbirds are widespread, but they are mostly seen in Mexico and certain sections of the United States. Yet, on the western side of Florida’s peninsula, they’ve been spotted in a few locations.
11. BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD
Hummingbirds of the Buff-bellied variety are average in size. Although their name suggests they have bright white bellies, it may be difficult to discern. The green plumage and crimson beaks of these birds are more conspicuous.
Eastern Mexico is home to the Buff-bellied Hummingbirds, who are plentiful. They’ve been recorded on the eastern coasts of Texas, as well as the southern coasts of Louisiana and Alabama, as well as in Florida’s northwestern corner. They have a restricted range in the United States. They like to feed on wooded and scrubby environments, but they’ll also eat in a feeder.
HUMMINGBIRD MIGRATION IN FLORIDA
The only hummingbirds that breed in eastern North America are Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. Males depart a few days earlier than females in the spring, when they begin their magnificent migration north for breeding season. These hummingbirds overwinter in Central America, mostly in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama, during the winter. Some of these birds over-winter near the southern tip of Florida.
In early spring, Rufous Hummingbirds go northwest, and in late June, they go southeast. Males, like females, depart the area sooner than females to stake out their territory. Several of these hummingbirds are now permanent residents of states along the Gulf Coast during the winter, having traveled very far east out of their range.
HOW TO MAKE HUMMINGBIRD NECTAR
Making your own hummingbird nectar is incredibly easy and simply calls for sugar and water.
INGREDIENTS:
1 A cup of refined sugar (no added nutrients)
4 cups of water
DIRECTIONS:
- To make sugar dissolve more easily, heat your water. Use the hottest tap water your faucet can produce. Microwave the water for a minute, heat it up in a saucepan, or just use it. Because caffeine is harmful to birds, do not use a coffee maker to heat water.
- In a clean container, mix the sugar and water. Slowly add the sugar to the water using a large spoon.
- Allow the solution to cool after all of the sugar has been completely dissolved. It is now ready to be dumped into the feeder once it has cooled.
- For up to one week, keep any extra sugar water in the fridge. Refilling the feeder will be easier if you store more nectar.