Hummingbirds have been observed in the United States, according to reports, nearly 30 different species. These are prevalent in the United States and may be found. Some are uncommon or just occasional visitors, while others are annual. Mississippi is a fantastic place to see some of the more uncommon hummingbird species, if you’re interested in that. Two species are common or semi-common, while seven are more uncommon. Hummingbirds have visited Mississippi for a total of nine different species.
9 HUMMINGBIRDS IN MISSISSIPPI
We’ve compiled a list of hummingbirds most likely to be seen in Mississippi based on range maps from authoritative sources like allaboutbirds.org and ebird.org. The species name, pictures of what it looks like, description of how it appears, and where and when you may see them are all included for each species in this list.
One of the greatest locations in the United States is because most hummingbirds spend the winter in Mexico and Central America. The Gulf of Mexico is a good place to look for “accidental” hummingbirds who have strayed off course. As a result, Mississippi’s southern coast is an excellent place to look for the hummingbird kinds that are rare in the eastern United States.
In reality, for central and northern Mississippi, the majority of hummingbirds on our list would be considered uncommon. Biloxi, Gulfport, Diamondhead, and Bay St. Louis were all listed as having eBird sightings. The most difficult to find species are found in Louis and Gautier.
Keep reading this page to find out when hummingbirds will be returning to your region, and read on till the end of the page for guidance on attracting hummingbirds to your yard.
Enjoy!
1. RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Archilochus colubris
In the eastern part of the United States, particularly in Mississippi, ruby-throated hummingbirds are the most common type of hummingbird. The back is green, while the underparts are white. The neck of males is crimson, and in certain lighting it can appear black.
They swarm into the country in waves from their Central American wintering grounds each spring. Several of them make a non-stop flight across the Gulf of Mexico! Backyard nectar feeders and flowers are easy to attract ruby-throated hummingbirds to.
In mid-March, Mississippi will be home to ruby-throated hummingbirds that have spent the winter farther south. By early November, they will be mostly gone after spending the spring and summer there. Yet, along the Gulf coast, a tiny population of ruby-throats may stay in the state throughout the year.
2. RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Selasphorus rufus
When it comes to sharing feeders and chasing other hummers, Rufous hummingbirds are well-known for being “feisty.” The top breast of males is white, and their neck is orange-red. Green females have rusty patches on their throats and are speckled.
They go north in the spring, spend the summer in the Pacific Northwest and Canada, then return south in the fall via the Rockies. They are probably the second most commonly sighted species in the east after the ruby-throated hummingbird, and are considered a hummingbird of the western United States.
Although sightings are reported widely across Mississippi, the majority of them take place along the coast. They are seen at least a few times each year, despite the fact that I wouldn’t necessarily label them common. You’re more likely to see them between November and March, and not much in the summer months. They may pop up at any time of year.
3. BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Archilochus alexandri
Each year, black-chinned hummingbirds go north from Mexico and Central America to breed in the western United States. In most light, males have a small strip of purple feathers along the bottom that is occasionally visible, although their throat color appears to be plain black.
Females have a plain throat and are green on top with a pale bottom. They resemble most hummingbird females. They like to perch on naked branches and are found in a variety of habitats, from deserts to mountain woods.
Although they are primarily found on the west coast, they have been recorded in almost every state on the east coast at least once, with Mississippi having several reports throughout the years. While a few took place across central areas of the state in Jackson, Vicksburg, and Meridian, practically all of the documented sightings on eBird take place in the far south. Sightings in Mississippi are typically seen between late fall and early spring, regardless of the area.
4. CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Selasphorus calliope
The calliope hummingbird breeds mostly in the Pacific Northwest and parts of western Canada during its breeding season, which lasts from Central America to Argentina. Even though the calliope is the tiniest bird in the United States, that is an astonishingly long migration!
Males have a distinct magenta stripe pattern on their throats that forks down on both sides. Plain females have peachy underparts and a greenish tint on the neck.
While Calliope Hummingbirds are uncommon on the east coast, they have been sighted in Mississippi on occasion. Sightings are more common in the south of the state, but have been reported as far north as Marshall. The most common season to see them is between December and 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 may be difficult to tell the difference between them because their coloring is very similar to that of the Rufous hummingbird.
The orange males of Allen have a green back and throat, with an orangey-red undertone. The back and flanks of females are dull green, with a brownish-orange throat. When compared to other hummingbirds, they migrate to California in January, when they are just a few weeks old.
Allen’s are a bit unusual in Mississippi, although they have been documented. You’ll be most likely to see one during the winter months along the state’s coastal area, as other “accidental” hummingbird visitors do.
6. BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Amazilia yucatanensis
The little buff-bellied hummingbird, which is native to Mexico but only lives in the United States for a short period of time, spends some time in the United States. The red beak, blue-green neck feathers, and a pale buffy belly are some of their most distinguishing characteristics. Their tail feathers are also rusty brown, but it’s difficult to detect unless they fan them out.
The only place to regularly view buff-bellied hummingbirds in the United States is along Mexico’s eastern coast. It’s located in Texas’ lower Rio Grande valley, just over the border.
They may be found from Texas to the Florida panhandle during the winter, heading farther north. It is not uncommon to go further north and wind up in the southern United States. As a result, the far south is your best bet to view one in Mississippi.
7. BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Selasphorus platycerus
Hummingbirds with broad tails breed at heights of up to 10,500 feet in the high country. The neck of males is rosey-magenta in color. The neck and cheeks of females are green, while the belly is buffy colored.
Except along the Gulf Coast, where they aren’t quite common but do show up somewhat regularly, broad-tailed hummingbirds are very uncommon in the eastern United States.
As a result, the state’s southern coastal region would be your best bet to find one. Despite this, a couple of sightings have been reported in the Jackson and Vicksburg regions, 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 recognized to be breeding grounds for the broad-billed hummingbird. With their purpleish-blue neck and blueish-green belly, males are difficult to mistake. Their beak is also reddish, with a black tip. With a typical black beak, females are a washed-out green above and below.
Outside of the southwestern United States, broad-billed hummingbirds are rather uncommon. They’ve been spotted in a few different places. Mississippi had just one reported sighting, outside of Biloxi.
Sightings of them may be seen along the shore to the west in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Covington Louisiana, and to the east in Mobile, Daphne, and Fairhope Alabama. They must cross the Mississippi border from time to time down near the Gulf as a result of their close proximity.
9. ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Calypte anna
Anna will be staying in the United States. Nonetheless, you’ll just locate them on a regular basis in a few western states, such as California and Washington, all year throughout much of their range.
Even their chest and belly are covered in emerald feathers, and their feathers have a little brighter and more iridescent tone than those of most others. The colorful feathers on males’ foreheads reach up to their rosy-pink necks.
On the east coast, Anna’s are quite uncommon, but they do stray from time to time. Over the years, several reports have been made in Mississippi. The majority of them are seen on the southern shore, although there have been reports as far inland as Minnesota. The best time to see Anna’s is during the winter, as with most uncommon hummingbirds.
ATTRACTING HUMMINGBIRDS TO YOUR YARD
1. HANG HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS
Hanging a nectar feeder in your yard might be the best way to attract hummingbirds. Hummingbirds must eat frequently in order to survive, and finding a dependable source of nectar is required. Pick a feeder that’s simple to disassemble and clean, and has the color red on it. Cleaning and refilling should be done more than once per week during hot weather. For the majority of people, we recommend a saucer-shaped feeder. They’re simple to maintain, function well, and don’t hold a large quantity of nectar.
2. MAKE YOUR OWN NECTAR
By creating your own nectar, you can avoid unnecessary (and occasionally hazardous) ingredients and colors. It’s inexpensive, simple to use, and fast. All you need is a 1:4 ratio of plain white sugar to water (1 cup sugar to 4 cups water). Creating your own nectar without boiling the water is simple with our handy how-to guide.
3. PLANT NATIVE FLOWERS
Plant some flowers in your yard that hummingbirds will like, apart from a feeder. They’re drawn to crimson (as well as orange, pink, and purple) blossoms and blossoms with trumpet or tubular form. Try vertical planting to get the most out of your space. Long cascading vines of flowers may be kept at an obelisk trellis or a flat trellis attached to the side of your home. Hummingbirds like these twenty plants and flowers.
4. PROVIDE WATER
Hummingbirds need water to drink and bath. They will use baths with the proper “specifications,” even if they find traditional bird baths to be too deep. You may purchase a hummingbird bath, or you might make your own if you have the time and materials.
5. PROMOTE INSECTS
Sugar isn’t enough for most hummingbirds, so they must eat protein as well. Little insects account for up to a third of their diet. Mosquitoes, fruit flies, spiders, and gnats are all examples of this. Avoid pesticides and help your hummers out. Check out our 5 easy tips for more information on insect feeders and ways to help feed insects to hummingbirds.