Hummingbirds have been sighted in the United States, according to reports, from as many as 27 different species. Some are common year-round, while others are unusual or accidental visitors. We have identified four common or semi-common species of hummingbirds in Utah, as well as five that have been seen more than once but are considered rare. Utah has a total of nine different hummingbird species, making it a fantastic location to observe some of America’s hummerbconservationist.
9 HUMMINGBIRDS IN UTAH
We’ve compiled a list of hummingbirds that may be seen in Utah based on range maps from trustworthy sources like allaboutbirds.org and ebird.org. Black-chinned hummingbirds, broad-tailed hummingbirds, rufous hummingbirds, and calliope hummingbirds are the most frequent Utah hummers. The name of the species, images, and information about appearance are all included for each species in this list. You may be able to locate them anywhere and anytime. The four most frequent species will be mentioned first, followed by the five uncommon species.
For advice on luring hummingbirds to your yard, read this article, and for information on when hummingbirds will return to your state, read this one.
Enjoy!
1. 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 strip of purple feathers along the bottom that is occasionally visible. Their throat color appears to be plain black. Females have a plain throat and are green above and pale below, similar to most hummingbird females. They prefer to perch on bare branches and can be found in a variety of habitats from deserts to mountain forests.
During the spring and autumn, look for black-chinned hummingbirds in Utah. The black-chinned hummingbird will spend its summer breeding season in Utah, which is one of only a few states.
2. CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Selasphorus calliope
The wintering calliope hummingbird resides in Central America, before spending much of its breeding time in the Pacific Northwest and northern Canada. During the spring and autumn migrations, they may be seen in many western states. Even though the calliope is the smallest species in the United States, this is a truly extraordinary migration. Males have a distinct magenta striping on their throats that run down the sides. Plain females have a peachy tint to their underparts and a green throat.
Calliope hummingbirds only pass through on their way to and from migrate in the eastern and western sections of the state. Some people will stay in the state for the summer in the center region. Between the towns of Provo and Logan, the most recorded ebird sightings have occurred. Yet, in the southwestern section of the state in late summer near national parks like Zion, Bryce, Dixie National Forest, and Red Cliffs, there are a number of reports.
3. RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Selasphorus rufus
When it comes to sharing feeders and driving away other hummers, Rufous hummingbirds are known for being quite “feisty.” The top breast of males is orange, and their throat is orange-red. Green with rusty patches on the neck, females are speckled. They fly up through California in the spring, spend the summer in Oregon, Washington, and Canada, then zip back down into the Rockies in the autumn.
Hummingbirds with rufous plumage can be found across Utah, although they usually only travel through. Their autumn migration back south, which passes through Utah in late July, August, and early September is the best time to catch them.
4. BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Selasphorus platycerus
Hummingbirds bred at elevations up to 10,500 feet prefer the highlands and are broad-tailed. The throat of males is a rich magenta color. The neck and cheeks of females are speckled with green, while the flanks are buffy. Mountain meadows, where they feast on the nectar of wildflowers, are one of the best places to see them. By slowing their hearts and entering a hibernation-like slumber called torpor, they are able to survive freezing evenings.
One of only a few states in the United States is Utah. During the summer, broad-tailed hummingbirds breed in a number of places. Their stay in the United States is shorter than that of several other hummingbird species. It is a short book, as far as I am concerned. Between April and August, you may find them all throughout Utah.
5. ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Calypte anna
The truth is, Anna isn’t going to return to the US. They are found all year throughout the majority of their range, yet only in a few western states, such as California and Oregon. Even their chest and belly are covered in emerald feathers, and the green of their feathers is generally brighter and more iridescent than that of other birds. Those colorful feathers extend up onto the forehead of males, who have rosy-pink throats. Backyards are where they feel most at home, and gardens and eucalyptus trees appeal to them.
In Utah, Anna’s are rare, however they have been spotted in a few areas throughout the state. They do seem to visit somewhat often and there are sightings every year in a small pocket in Utah’s far southwest where they do. Zion and the communities around the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, including Ivin, Santa Clara, and St. George George and Washington were the two guys in this relationship.
6. COSTA’S HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Calypte costae
The deep purple faces of male Costa Ricans are well-known. Their foreheads and throats are splashed with purple, with purple feathers protruding out on both sides like a mustache. Green on top and white on the bottom. Costa’s have somewhat shorter wings and tail than other hummingbirds, and they’re compact. In the United States, it is commonly referred to as Baja, southern California, southern Nevada, and western Arizona are where they’re most common.
They are still occasionally spotted in Utah, despite being uncommon. In Zion National Park and the region south of Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, I observed the majority of the documented sightings. The influx of costa’s people across the border is most likely.
7. RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Archilochus colubris
In the eastern part of the United States, ruby-throated hummingbirds are common, but not in the west. Their underside is white, and their backside is green. The throat of males is crimson red, although it may appear black in certain lights. They arrive in droves from Central America during each spring, entering the country. A single flight across the Gulf of Mexico is used to transport many people bound for the eastern United States.
In states west of the Mississippi River, ruby-throated hummingbirds are only seen on rare occasions. In Utah, they’re quite uncommon, and the only ones I recall seeing on ebird are a few.
8. BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD
Scientific name: Cynanthus latirostris
In the United States, there are only two states. Arizona and New Mexico are known to have populations of the broad-billed hummingbird. The purpleish-blue throat and blueish-green belly of both sexes make them easy to identify. Their beak is also orange with a black tip. Females have the typical black beak and are a washed-out green above and grayish below.
While I did locate a few reports in the state’s southwestern corner, broad-billed hummingbirds are regarded as fairly uncommon in Utah. Maybe a few wandering broad-billed hummingbirds from Arizona.
9. Rivoli’s Hummingbird
Scientific name: Eugenes fulgens
The Rivoli’s hummingbird used to be known as the “gorgeous hummingbird.” Males have a neck that is a vivid teal color and has a black purple head. Green and brown are their natural colors. In some light, they may appear to be overall black. Females have a green top and a white bottom, unlike males. With a longer beak, they are somewhat bigger than most hummerbirds seen in the United States. They prefer shaded canyons and forested slopes, and they’re most common in Mexico.
Just a few times in Utah have Rivoli’s hummingbirds been seen, making them exceedingly unusual. Strays from Arizona and New Mexico occasionally cross state lines, which mostly happens along the southern border with stray rivoli.
ATTRACTING HUMMINGBIRDS TO YOUR YARD
1. HANG HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS
Hang a nectar feeder in your yard, perhaps the best way to attract hummingbirds. Hummingbirds must constantly feed and have a dependable supply of nectar. Pick a feeder with a red color and that is simple to disassemble and clean. Cleaning and refilling must be done more frequently in hot weather than in cold weather. For most people, we suggest a saucer-shaped feeder. They’re simple to clean, operate well, and don’t hold a lot of nectar.
2. MAKE YOUR OWN NECTAR
By making your own nectar, you can avoid unnecessary (and sometimes hazardous) additives and red dyes. It’s cost-effective, convenient, and simple. Just mix a cup of plain white sugar with 4 cups of water in a 1:4 proportion (1 cup sugar to 4 cups water). Without having to boil the water, we have an easy how-to guide for creating your own nectar.
3. PLANT NATIVE FLOWERS
Plant some flowers in your yard that will attract passing hummingbirds, in addition to a feeder. Flowers with trumpet or tubular shaped blossoms are particularly attractive to them, as are red (as well as orange, pink, and purple flowers. Vertical planting may help you to save space. Long cascading vines of flowers may be grown on an obelisk trellis or a flat trellis attached to the side of your home. Hummingbird-attracting plants and flowers are shown below.
4. PROVIDE WATER
Hummingbirds require water for drinking and bathing. They will utilize bird baths with the appropriate “specifications,” despite the fact that they may find conventional bath depths too high. You may purchase or make something special for your yard with these great hummingbird bath ideas.
5. PROMOTE INSECTS
Sugar isn’t enough for most hummingbirds, so they need protein as well. Insects make up a third of their diet. Mosquitoes, fruit flies, spiders, and gnats are among the insects affected. Avoid pesticides and help your hummers out. Have a look at our 5 simple tips for additional insect feeder guidelines and methods to aid feed insects to hummingbirds.