Hummingbirds have been spotted in the United States, according to reports, over 30 different species. While some are uncommon or accidental visitors, others are frequent and can be seen every year. Louisiana is a fantastic state for seeing some of the more unusual hummingbird species when it comes to that. There are two ubiquitous species and seven uncommon species that we discovered. Nine different hummingbird species have landed in Louisiana as a result.
9 HUMMINGBIRDS IN LOUISIANA
We’ve compiled a list of hummingbirds most likely to be seen in Louisiana based on range maps from reputable sources like allaboutbirds.org and ebird.org. The species name, images of what it looks like, characteristics about looks, and where and when you may see them are all listed for each species in this list.
One of the best places in the United States is where most hummingbirds spend the winter in Mexico and Central America. Along the Gulf of Mexico, you may be able to spot “accidental” hummingbirds that have strayed off course. The hummingbird species that are otherwise rare in the eastern United States may be found in the southern coastal areas of Louisiana.
See this article to find out when hummingbirds will be returning to your state, and stay tuned at the conclusion of the article for tips on attracting hummingbirds to your yard.
Enjoy!
1. RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Archilochus colubris
In the eastern part of the United States, particularly Louisiana, ruby-throated hummingbirds are the most frequent hummingbirds. They have a white underbelly and a green back. The neck of males is crimson, and it can change color depending on the light.
They arrive in vast numbers from their wintering grounds in Central America each spring. On one non-stop flight, many of them fly over the Gulf of Mexico! With nectar feeders and flowers, Ruby-throated hummingbirds are very easy to attract to backyards.
In mid-March, ruby-throated hummingbirds that have spent the winter farther south will return to Louisiana. By early November, they will be mostly gone, having spent the spring and summer there. Just a tiny number of ruby-throats, especially in the southern half of the state, may stay all year.
2. RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Selasphorus rufus
When it comes to sharing feeders and chasing other hummers, Rufous hummingbirds are known for being rather “feisty.” The upper breast is white, and the neck is orange-red in both sexes. Green females have a speckled throat and rusty patches.
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. Rufous hummingbirds are the second most commonly seen species on the east coast behind the ruby-throated hummingbird, and they are considered a western species.
Louisiana has a diverse collection of recorded sightings, with the majority occurring near the coast. Baton Rouge and New Orleans are home to several sightings. They are seen at least a few times each year, though I wouldn’t necessarily call them common. It’s possible to see them at any time of year, although you’re more likely to catch them in the colder months, particularly between November and March.
3. BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Archilochus alexandri
Every year, black-chinned hummingbirds travel from Mexico and Central America to the western United States to breed. In most light, males have a small strip of purple feathers along the bottom that is occasionally visible. Their throat color appears plain black. Females have a plain throat and are green above and pale below, similar to most hummingbird females. They like to perch on bare branches and can be found in a variety of habitats, from deserts to mountain woods.
They have been seen in most states along the east coast, including Louisiana, where there have been numerous sightings throughout the years. They are a west coast species, however. The far south is home to almost all of eBird’s recorded sightings, which occur generally between late fall and early spring.
4. CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Selasphorus calliope
The calliope hummingbird breeds in the Pacific Northwest and portions of western Canada during the winter and spends most of its time in Central America. Consider the calliope, which is the smallest bird in the United States, and that is an impressively long migration!
Males have a distinctive magenta stripe throat pattern that forks down on the sides. Females have a peachy tinted underbelly and a few green markings on the neck.
On the east coast, Calliope Hummingbirds are uncommon, however they have been sighted in Louisiana on a couple occasions. sightings of this rare hummer have been reported in the state’s far southern region, as they have been for many other species. The most likely times are from December to February.
5. ALLEN’S HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Selasphorus sasin
Every year, these little guys travel from Central America to California’s Pacific coast to breed. It might be difficult to tell the difference between these two birds because their coloring is similar to that of the Rufous hummingbird.
The males of Allen are orange with a green back and neck, and they have an orangey-red tone to their throat. The throat of a female is speckled, with a brownish-orange back and flanks. In comparison to other hummingbirds, they migrate to California in January, although they are still small.
Allen’s are uncommon in Louisiana, but a few dozen have been seen there. You may expect to find one in the far south of the state during the winter, as with other “accidental” hummingbird visitors.
6. BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Amazilia yucatanensis
A Mexican native, the little buff-bellied hummingbird spends much of its time in the United States, if it can. Their crimson bill, blue-green neck feathers, and a pale buffy belly are among their more defining features. Their tail feathers are also rust colored, which is difficult to detect unless they’re fanned out.
The only place to see buff-bellied hummingbirds year-round in the United States is along Mexico’s eastern coast. It’s located in the Texas lower Rio Grande Valley.
They can be found along the Gulf of Mexico from Texas to the Florida panhandle throughout the winter, up north. It is uncommon to stray any farther north and end up in the southeastern states. As a result, the far south of Louisiana is your best bet for seeing one.
7. BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Selasphorus platycerus
Hummingbirds that have broad tails breed at elevations up to 10,500 feet in the mountains. The throat of a male is rosey-magenta in color. The neck and cheeks of females are speckled with green, while the sides are buffy.
In the eastern United States, broad-tailed hummingbirds are extremely uncommon, save for in the Gulf Coast region where they do exist but only on a sporadic basis. As a result, the most likely place to see one would be in the state’s southernmost shore. However, there have been a couple of reports across the state, so you never know.
8. BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Cynanthus latirostris
In the United States, there are just two states. Arizona and New Mexico are known to have breeding populations of the broad-billed hummingbird. With their purpleish-blue neck and blueish-green belly, males are difficult to mistake. A reddish beak with a black tip is also present. The typical black beak is washed out green for females and grayish for males.
Outside of the southwestern United States, broad-billed hummingbirds are considered extremely uncommon. They can sometimes be found in other states as well. Sightings of Louisiana have been recorded, most frequently in the winter or early spring between Lafayette and New Orleans.
9. ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Calypte anna
Anna is actually here for the long haul. You may only locate them on a regular basis in a few of the western states, such as California and Washington, throughout the majority of their range. Their feathers are speckled with emerald feathers, and their green is somewhat more brilliant and iridescent than that of most others. The vivid feathers that adorn the foreheads of males are pinker on the neck and face.
ATTRACTING HUMMINGBIRDS TO YOUR YARD
1. HANG HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS
Hanging a nectar feeder in your yard is perhaps the greatest way to attract hummingbirds. Hummingbirds must consume constantly, and finding a dependable source of nectar is critical. Pick a feeder with a red hue and simple to take apart and clean. Cleansing and refilling must be done more than once a week in hot weather. For most people, we recommend a saucer-shaped feeding dish. They’re very simple to maintain, operate well, and don’t hold a lot of nectar.
2. MAKE YOUR OWN NECTAR
By making your own nectar, you can avoid (and sometimes dangerous) additives and red dyes. It’s inexpensive, simple, and quick to make. Just add 1 cup sugar to 4 cups water in a 1:4 ratio (1 cup sugar to 4 cups water) and you’re ready to go. Without having to boil the water, we have an simple how-to guide on making your own nectar.
3. PLANT NATIVE FLOWERS
Plant some flowers in your yard that hummers will like, in addition to a feeder. Flowers with trumpet or tubular-shaped blossoms, as well as red (as well as orange, pink, and purple), are particularly attractive to them. Vertical planting can help you save space. Long cascading vines of flowers can be grown on a vertical surface created by an obelisk trellis or a flat trellis attached to the side of your home. Hummingbirds may be attracted by these 20 plants and flowers.
4. PROVIDE WATER
Hummingbirds need water for both drinking and bathing. They’ll utilize baths with the correct “specifications,” even if they find classic bird baths too deep. You can buy great hummingbird bath options, as well as ideas for creating something wonderful in your yard.
5. PROMOTE INSECTS
Sugar isn’t the only thing that hummingbirds need; they also eat protein. Little insects make up up to a third of their diets. Mosquitoes, fruit flies, spiders, and gnats are all examples of this. By avoiding pesticides, you can help out your hummers. Our 5 easy tips may help you with insect feeders and other ways to assist hummingbirds.