Hummingbirds are instantly recognizable with their tiny size, needle-like bills, iridescent plumage, and hearty appetite for sweet nectar. But though you may easily recognize the familiar rose-red flash of the ruby-throated hummingbird, the orange plumage of the hot-headed rufous hummingbird, or even the two-toned bill of the broad-billed hummingbird, would you recognize other unique features? How about the frilly orange crest of the rufous-crested coquette, the bright purple rump of the white-tufted sunbeam, or the fluffy white pantaloons of the booted racket-tail? Just how many hummingbird species are there, anyway?

The Hummingbird Family

All hummingbirds belong to one bird family classification, Trochilidae. While different ornithological organizations may slightly disagree on the exact number of species in that family, there are more than 360 species of hummingbirds in the world. While many are easily designated as “hummingbirds” in their common names, other birds have much more descriptive names.

Some hummingbirds’ names reflect their bold colors, such as crimson, cinnamon, hyacinth, bronze, sooty, purple, wine, blue, violet, green, and even rainbow. Some hummingbirds, however, have such spectacular coloration that a single color isn’t enough to describe them. These birds are often called magnificent, glowing, glittering, gilded, festive, shining, sparkling, scintillant, starthroat, sunangel, fairy, and marvelous.

Other names denote strong plumage patterns or distinctive features, such as hooded, collared, horned, speckled, sicklebill, puffleg, metaltail, or spotted. These distinctions can be helpful with identification and draw attention to key features that stand out on these birds.

Still other names in this diverse bird family describe each bird’s general range, such as Brazilian, Chilean, Bahama, Mexican, Ecuadorian, Jamaican, Bogota, Peruvian, Andean, and Cozumel. These names, while they may not describe the birds’ appearances, do indicate just how widespread the hummingbird family is and how many different areas are home to these tiny birds.

Hummingbirds of North America

Of all the hummingbirds in the world, just 20 species are regularly seen in the United States and Canada.

1. Ruby-Throated Hummingbird – The most common North American hummer, the ruby-throat is the only hummingbird regularly seen east of the Mississippi River.
2. Black-Chinned Hummingbird – The black-chinned hummingbird has a distinctive purple necklace, and is seen in the interior western and southwestern part of the United States.
3. Anna’s Hummingbird – These birds, with their bright pink hoods, are year-round residents along the Pacific Coast and as far inland as southwestern Arizona.
4. Costa’s Hummingbird – The long corners of this hummer’s purple throat are a good field mark, and these birds can be seen in the southwest and into southern California.
5. Broad-Tailed Hummingbird – Widespread in the interior western U.S., these birds look similar to ruby-throats but have a touch of rust in their tails.
6. Rufous Hummingbird – One of the most aggressive western hummers, this bright orange bird is seen as far north as Alaska, but many also spend winters in the southeast and Florida.
7. Allen’s Hummingbird – With an orange throat and green back, these hummers are easy to recognize along the California coast.
8. Calliope Hummingbird – The pink streaks on this hummingbird’s throat are distinctive when they are seen in the northwestern United States, including northern California.
9. Broad-Billed Hummingbird – This bird’s broad, two-toned bill is its most distinctive feature, but it can only be seen in southern Arizona.
10. Buff-Bellied Hummingbird – These softly colored hummers are year-round residents in south Texas and occasionally stray further east along the Gulf Coast.
11. Magnificent Hummingbird – The bright colors of this large hummingbird are magnificent indeed when you see them in southeastern Arizona or southwestern New Mexico.
12. Blue-Throated Hummingbird – This bird’s soft blue throat is a surprise color but tough to see since this hummer is only rarely noted in southern Arizona and western Texas.
13. Violet-Crowned Hummingbird – This very rare hummingbird is noted for its purple crown, but can only be seen in the very south of Arizona and New Mexico.
14. Lucifer Hummingbird – Boldly colored, this rare hummingbird is regularly reported in southern Arizona and New Mexico during the summer breeding season.
15. White-Eared Hummingbird – Look for the broad, white ear stripe of this hummingbird to help identify it in southern Arizona.
16. Xantus’s Hummingbird – Similar to the white-eared hummingbird, this hummer has bold facial markings but is only rarely seen in southern California.
17. Berylline Hummingbird – With a green hood and copper tail, this bird is colorful and blends well with the southern Arizona habitat where it might be seen.
18. Green Violet-Ear – This rich, green hummingbird has a splash of blue-purple around its ears, and while not a regular visitor, it is occasionally recorded in Texas.
19. Plain-Capped Starthroat – One of the least colorful hummers except for a speck of red on its throat, this hummingbird is a rare visitor in southern Arizona.
20. Green-Breasted Mango – A relatively large and colorful hummer with a dark belly streak, this bird is only occasionally noted in southern Texas.

While many of these hummingbirds are only rare guests north of Mexico, each one is distinctive and great for any hummingbird lover to see.

More Hummingbirds May Be Out There

New species of birds, including hummingbirds, may still be discovered. In tropical areas where bird diversity may not be well documented, new species are often found where studies haven’t been conducted before. Furthermore, as even familiar birds are studied more intensely, greater genetic diversity may be revealed and new species are split apart, leading to even more hummingbird species, and more magnificent flying jewels for every birder to see.