Hummingbirds have been recorded in the United States from as many as 27 different species. Some are common while others are rare or accidental visitors, and some can be found every year. We have discovered six species of hummingbirds in Nevada, both common and semi-common, as well as one that has been seen multiple times but is considered uncommon. In Nevada, there are seven different species of hummingbirds that may be seen.
7 HUMMINGBIRDS IN NEVADA
We’ve compiled a list of hummingbirds that may be seen in Nevada based on range maps from authoritative sources such as allaboutbirds.org and ebird.org. The species name, images of what it looks like, physical characteristics, and where and when you may observe them are all included for each species in this list. The most frequent species will be listed first.
Tips on drawing hummingbirds to your yard will be available at the conclusion of this article.
1. BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Selasphorus platycerus
Hummingbirds that have broad tails prefer high elevations and breed up to 6,000 feet above sea level. Pinon-juniper, montane riparian, wet meadows, and open mixed conifer are among their mountain habitats. The throats of males are crimson-magenta. Females feature a buffy colored side and have green flecking on their neck and cheeks. Indian paintbrush, red columbine, scarlet mint, and sage are among the flowers that they favor for nectar in Nevada.
By April in southern Nevada, broad-tailed hummingbirds will begin to appear, and by September, they’ll be mostly gone. The Ruby Mountains, Toiyabe National Forest, and the canyons around Las Vegas are all worth visiting for the sake of finding them.
2. BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Archilochus alexandri
Each 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 seems to be plain black. Females have a plain throat and greenish above and pale below, as do most hummingbird females.
They’re found in a variety of ecosystems, from watery habitats like canyons, gulches, open woodlands, and riparian corridors to dryer habitats like mountains. In addition, they will settle in metropolitan regions with flowering trees, flora, and yard feeders.
From April through September, look for black-chinned hummingbirds throughout Nevada.
3. CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Selasphorus calliope
The Pacific Northwest and portions of western Canada are the breeding grounds of the calliope hummingbird, although it may be seen in Nevada during the spring and autumn migration. Given the calliope’s modest size, this is a truly remarkable migration! The throat of males is marked with magenta stripes that fork down on either side. The throat and underparts of females are plain, with green spotting.
While most of Nevada’s calliope hummingbirds only come for a few weeks during the summer, a few stay for the entire year in the state’s far northern reaches. While they stay closer to the Pacific in the spring, you’re more likely to see one during the fall migration.
4. RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD
When it comes to sharing feeders and driving off other hummers, Rufous hummingbirds are known for being quite “feisty.” The top breast is white, and the neck is orange-red in males. Green females have speckled throats and rusty patches. They go up through California in the spring, spend the summer in the Pacific Northwest, and even make it as far as Alaska! They begin heading south in the summer, not just along the Pacific, but also along the Rocky Mountains.
Hummingbirds migrate through Nevada, but do not breed there. Keep an eye out for them in the summer since they tend to travel south over Nevada at this time of year, even though some may pass through in the spring.
5. ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Calypte anna
Anna actually remains in the United States. Arizona, California, Oregon, and Washington are among the states where they may be found all year. Their feathers are sprinkled with emerald feathers, and their green is a bit brighter and more iridescent than that of most others. The bright feathers on males’ foreheads extend up towards their rosy-pink necks. Backyards are where they want to be, and gardens and eucalyptus trees are where they want to be.
The western border and southern tip of Nevada are where Anna’s are most commonly found. In certain metropolitan places, such as Las Vegas, Carson City, and Reno, they may be seen all year round. These pink beauties may be seen in good spots.
6. COSTA’S HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Calypte costae
The deep purple faces of male Costa Ricans are well-known. They’ve got purple feathers erupting out on both sides of their beaks, which gives them a purple splotch on their foreheads and throats. Green above with white below, females are green. Costas have somewhat shorter wings and tail than other hummingbirds, and they are compact.
Ocotillo, chuparosa, honeysuckle, desert lavender, thornbush, and New Mexico thistle are some of their favorite nectar producing plants. They breed in the desert from late January to April, and they start nesting early.
These hummingbirds can be found in the northern Mohave Desert of Nevada, where they breed, and prefer desert habitat. They may be found across Nevada during the non-breeding season, mainly in western regions of the state.
In the south, some costa’s may stay all year, and Las Vegas and the nearby regions are a fantastic place to seek one.
7. BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Cynanthus latirostris
The majority of broad-billed hummingbirds can be found in Mexico, though they may enter the United States. 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 purple-blue throat and blueish-green belly, males are difficult to confuse. Their beak is orange, with a black tip. The typical black beak is found on females, who are a washed-out green above and grayish below.
Hummingbirds with broad bills are scarce in Nevada, however they may be seen in the southern tip of the state on rare occasions. On eBird, there have only been a few documented sightings, all of which happened at any time of year.