Hummingbirds, the glittering jewels of the avian world. Can you picture a bird no bigger than your thumb with the aerodynamic abilities of a high-performance fighter jet?
These tiny creatures are the only birds that can fly backward. They can also hover in place and even fly upside-down! ¹.
Now, imagine them adorned in an array of vibrant colors and sporting an assortment of unique features—from long beaks to shimmering tail feathers. Let’s meet 17 of these astonishing hummingbird species, each a marvel in its own right.
1. Fiery-throated Hummingbird
The Fiery-Throated Hummingbird has a striking appearance, as it combines every color of the rainbow on its throat and breast (ref). Making it easily distinguishable when seen in good light. This exceptional feature sets it apart from other hummingbird species.
This gem is mostly found in the remote parts of Costa Rica and Panama. Fiery-throated hummingbirds are not just beautiful. They are hardy too, thriving in cool climates where flowers are abundant. They are assertive around feeding areas, often seen zipping through the air in a display of both beauty and determination.
2. Marvelous Spatuletail
The Marvelous Spatuletail is unique due to its remarkable tail. Their tails consist of only four feathers, with two long racquet-shaped outer tail feathers that cross each other and end in large violet-blue discs or “spatules” (ref). During courtship, these feathers become a mesmerizing dance of aerial artistry.
The Marvelous Spatuletail is a native of Peru. It is now endangered and living in limited numbers. Conservation efforts strive to protect this unique species, for it is truly a natural masterpiece.
3. Ecuadorian Hillstar
Found along the Andean highlands, this stout hummingbird does not migrate; it is a resident of these heights. Its feathers shimmer with a metallic green, contrasting beautifully against the snow and rock.
Ecuadorian Hillstar is unique due to its large feet, which are relatively large for a hummingbird, and its feeding behavior. Unlike most hummingbirds that hover while feeding, the Ecuadorian Hillstar usually lands and feeds while clinging to the plant (ref).
Adapted to the harsh conditions of the high mountains, the Ecuadorian Hillstar visits the hardy chuquiragua bush, the main source of nectar in its habitat. A symbol of resilience, this bird thrives where few others can.
4. Wire-crested Thorntail
The Wire-crested Thorntail is a spectacle with its delicate crest of wire-like feathers (ref). In the western Amazon basin, this diminutive bird flits about, its tiny frame belying the grandeur of its crest.
The female Wire-crested Thorntail has a broad white cheek stripe. While the males flaunt their elongated tail feathers and crested heads to amaze any who catches a glimpse (ref).
Although they are minuscule, their presence is monumental in the rainforests they inhabit. They have a feisty spirit and share flowers with larger hummingbirds, a testament to their audacity.
5. Sword-billed Hummingbird
With a beak longer than its body, the Sword-billed Hummingbird has a built-in tool that’s perfect for reaching into deep flowers (ref). Nestled among the Andean slopes, this bird is a unique blend of form and function. It’s the only bird in the world with such an adaptation.
Their long beaks aren’t just for show; they play a critical role in pollination. These hummingbirds are vital to their ecosystem, ensuring the survival of both flora and fauna with their existence.
6. Red-tailed Comet
Sporting a tail like crimson streamers, the Red-tailed Comet’s dramatic plumage is hard to miss (ref). Flapping through the southern edges of the Andes, its long, forked tail captivates and charms. With its multicolored body shining in shades of green and a heart-shaped face, it’s easily one of the most striking hummingbirds.
These birds are not just stunning; they’re also essential pollinators. Their presence brings life to the flowers they visit, playing their part in the circle of life.
7. Anna’s Hummingbird
The Anna’s Hummingbird, a flash of emerald and rose, ranges along the Pacific coast. This species stands out with its remarkable coloration; males possess a crimson-red crown and forget. While the female displays a dull green crown and a grey throat with some red iridescence (ref).
What’s more, Anna’s Hummingbird boasts the capability of diving at jaw-dropping speeds during courtship displays. This act of airborne bravado is as functional as it is fascinating, showing off their fitness to potential mates.
8. Long-tailed Sylph
Emerald feathers trailing behind them, the males of the Long-tailed Sylph are enchanting (ref). In the cloud forests of South America, these birds are like flying jewels, with their long tails undulating gracefully in flight. The females might not sport the same extravagant tail, but they share the same vibrant blues and greens.
As they move from flower to flower, they’re a dreamlike sight, one that embodies the exotic beauty and mystery of the world’s more remote areas.
9. Crowned Woodnymph
The adult male Crowned Woodnymph has a striking appearance, with a violet crown, upper back, shoulders, and belly, a shiny green throat and breast, and a deeply forked blue-black tail. While the female is duller in coloration, with bright green upperparts and a grey throat and breast (ref).
This hummingbird can be found from Belize and Guatemala to northern Peru and is a vision when caught in a shaft of sunlight (ref). It’s as though it’s dipped in liquid gemstones.
Though delicate in appearance, they are agile and robust, navigating the dense forest with ease. Their presence highlights the biodiversity and the ecological abundance of the tropics.
10. Rufous-crested Coquette
This small hummingbird species is characterized by its striking features, including a rufous-orange crest in males, green gorget (throat patch) with rufous cheek tufts, and white throat feathers. While females of the species lack the male’s crest and gorget, having a rufous-orange forecrown instead (ref).
These birds thrive in the forests and edge habitats from Costa Rica to Peru, dancing from bloom to bloom. The Rufous-crested Coquette is not just a joy to behold; it’s also a symbol of the lush ecosystems that support them. They remind us of nature’s endless capacity for variety and spectacle.
11. Velvet-purple Coronet
The Velvet-purple Coronet’s name accurately conveys its regal bearing. With feathers that transition from black to deep purple depending on the light, these birds look like they’re robed in velvet (ref). They reside in the cloud forests of the Andes, flitting about in a silent ballet of splendor.
They exist in a world apart, a realm draped in mist and mystery. Their plush appearance gives them an air of nobility, setting them apart as one of the most superb hummingbird species.
12. Booted Racket-tail
Flaunting tail feathers that look like tiny rackets, the Booted Racket-tail is as peculiar as it is pretty (ref). Their small size and the unique shape of their tails make them a curiosity. These birds find their homes in the mountainous forests of South America, enchanting anyone lucky enough to spot them.
Beyond their charming tails, males boast a pair of fluffy white leg puffs, a sartorial oddity among birds. Their distinct appearance adds to the tapestry of the hummingbird family.
13. Black-tailed Trainbearer
The Black-tailed Trainbearer’s long, slender tail stretches like a single black train behind it (ref). Navigating the Andean highlands, their remarkable tail extension is a striking feature. The rest of their plumage may be modest, but the tail is a true statement piece.
Despite their seemingly delicate structure, these hummingbirds are resilient, thriving in the cooler, thin air of their mountain habitat. They serve as a reminder of nature’s ability to specialize and adapt.
14. Rainbow-bearded Thornbill
When light catches the throat of a Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, it breaks into a spectrum of colors (ref). Residing among the flower-speckled landscapes of the Andes, the males display an impressive range of hues on their small bodies. They too are high-altitude specialists, making a living where the air is crisp and the flowers scarce.
It is nature’s fine attention to detail that gives the Rainbow-bearded Thornbill its allure. Their vibrant beards make them one of the most striking hummingbirds, showcasing the rich variety of this avian group.
15. Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Jewel-like, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird glitters with a throat of the deepest ruby (ref). They make an epic journey each year, migrating long distances to reach their summer homes in North America. Here, they become a familiar sight, hovering in backyards and gardens.
These tiny travelers exemplify the feats that hummingbirds are capable of. Long migratory routes are a testament to their strength, far beyond what their delicate appearance might suggest.
16. Allen’s Hummingbird
Allen’s Hummingbird, a native of the United States’ Pacific coast, dashes through the air with a flicker of orange and green. Their range may be limited, but they make their presence known with a fiery flash of their rufescent plumage. These birds are territorial and are often seen darting after rivals with zealous vigor.
Their dynamic displays serve as a vital part of their courtship. It’s this zest for life that makes the Allen’s Hummingbird a remarkable and unforgettable species.
17. Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Finally, the Broad-tailed Hummingbird lifts its airy wings in the mountain meadows and forests. With a broad tail that flutters like a fan, this bird is a common sight across the western United States. Intricate markings of green and white complement their sweeping tails (ref).
The delicate tinkling of their wings is a signature sound in their habitat, just as distinctive as their appearance. They bring both music and color to their environment, a double delight for nature lovers.
Sources:
- https://web.stanford.edu/group/stanfordbirds/text/essays/Hovering_Flight.html
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.