10 Stunning Hummingbird Species: Types, Photos & Facts

Hummingbirds! Small, agile, with long beaks, and a love of flowers. If you live in or visit America, you have surely seen these beautiful birds hovering among the flowers. Hummingbirds are native to America. These small, unique birds were once hunted in large numbers to decorate women's hats, which may have led to the extinction of several species.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: Hummingbird Diversity and Distribution

2. Top 10 Notable Hummingbird Species

3. Conclusion & Further Reading

1. Introduction: Hummingbird Diversity and Distribution

Hummingbirds (family Trochilidae) are among the world’s smallest and most spectacular birds, found exclusively in the Americas. With over 300 recognized species, hummingbirds are celebrated for their iridescent feathers, rapid flight, and unmatched hovering ability. They are crucial pollinators in many ecosystems, and their long bills are perfectly adapted to sipping nectar from flowers. From the forests of Alaska to the Andes of South America, their range and diversity are truly astonishing.

2. Top 10 Notable Hummingbird Species

1. Brown Violet-ear (Colibri delphinae)

Native to the Americas, found from Guatemala to Brazil and Bolivia, as well as Trinidad. Inhabits rainforests, cloud forests, and secondary growth. Medium-sized, about 10–12 cm long.

2. Green Violetear (Colibri thalassinus)

Ranges from Mexico down to Venezuela, Bolivia, and Argentina, typically found in dense cloud forests. Grows to about 11 cm, known for its vibrant blue ear patches.

3. Violet-ear Hummingbird (Colibri serrirostris)

Native to South America, present in Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. About 12 cm in length, notable for its purple ear tufts.

4. Sword-billed Hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera)

From Colombia and Venezuela to Bolivia in the Andes. Famous for its extremely long bill—total body length 22–23 cm, with the bill making up nearly half. Specially adapted for feeding on long tubular flowers.

5. Magnificent Hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens)

Found from the southern United States to Panama. Length 12–13 cm. Its iridescent blue, green, and purple upperparts and dark greenish-grey underparts make it one of the larger and most striking hummingbird species.

6. Fiery-throated Hummingbird (Panterpe insignis)

Endemic to the highlands of Costa Rica and Panama. Length 10.5–11 cm. Named for its fiery orange-red throat, with a dazzling spectrum of colors across its plumage.

7. Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae)

Native to Cuba, it is the world’s smallest bird. Males are just 5.5 cm long and weigh 1.6–1.95 g; females are 6.1 cm long and 2.6 g. Diminutive yet dazzling, often called a "hummingbird elf."

8. Antillean Crested Hummingbird (Orthorhyncus cristatus)

Found on Caribbean islands and occasionally in southern Florida. Measures 8–9 cm, weighing 3.5–4 g. Males have a striking metallic green crest, while females are more subdued and lack the crest.

9. Sombre Hummingbird (Aphantochroa cirrochloris)

Native to eastern Brazil, prefers forest edges, plantations, and gardens. About 12 cm long, 7.1–9 g in weight, with a slightly curved black bill.

10. Speckled Hummingbird (Adelomyia melanogenys)

Inhabits the cloud forests of South America—Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, and Argentina. Around 8 cm in length, with shimmering green-bronze upperparts and pale, speckled underparts.

3. Conclusion & Further Reading

Hummingbirds are celebrated symbols of biodiversity and natural beauty in the Americas. Their variety, agility, and dazzling appearance captivate all who see them. Interested in learning more about hummingbird breeding or the best flowers to attract them? Explore our additional articles for more insights!

animal tags： Hummingbird species