Hummingbirds in Florida [11 Amazing Species To See]

There is only one species of hummingbird that breeds in Florida, the ruby-throated hummingbird. However, because Florida has warm weather all year round and is fairly close to Mexico and the Caribbean, many species of hummingbirds will visit the state during the winter.

The most common visiting hummingbird is the Rufous hummingbird that can be found in certain areas of the state in winter. Other than that, there are 9 other species that will make rare visits to the state during the colder months before heading north to breed.

11 Species Of Hummingbirds Commonly Found In Florida

There are 11 species of hummingbirds that can be seen around Florida with another 2 species that are worth a mention even though their visits may be very rare. Here are some interesting facts about these birds.

Let’s look at each species individually so that you can easily identify them.

1. Allen’s Hummingbird

The Allen’s hummingbird is truly a sight to see but they only visit Florida very rarely. Here are some of their more distinguishing features:

• The male birds have an iridescent orange throat which is absent in the female.
• They also have coppery orange feathers on the back of their necks, their chests and partly on their backs.
• Their heads and other back feathers are more of an olive-green color.

The favorite habitats for these birds are forests and scrubby meadows, especially along the coastline. As with most hummers, their diet consists of nectar, tree sap and small insects.

2. Anna’s Hummingbird

There’s no mistaking the Anna’s hummingbird with its red neck and throat. Here are some other features:

• Only the males of the species have the red neck and throat and an orange-red crown.
• The rest of the feathers are mostly green-gray with some brown and white patches on the chest and under belly.

These little birds prefer open forests and are very territorial. They like to feed on nectar and small insects.

3. Bahama Woodstar

As these birds are native to the Bahamas, you may see them occasionally in Southern Florida. They can be distinguished by the following features.

• The male birds have pretty violet feathers on their neck with white feathers on their bellies.
• The females don’t have the violet feathers but the feather on their bellies are cinnamon-colored.
• Both male and female birds have golden-green feathers on their backs.

Bahama woodstars normally live in tropical forests and lowlands and prefer to feed on nectar.

4. Black-chinned Hummingbird

Black-chinned hummingbirds are fairly easy to identify with the following features.

• The male birds have completely black heads while the females have white necks.
• Both male and female birds have white bellies but they have lovely dusky-green feathers on their backs.

These hummingbirds are happiest in meadows, orchards and woodlands and prefer a diet of nectar.

5. Broad-billed Hummingbird

The first thing you’ll notice about the broad-billed hummingbird is its bright red beak. Here are some other unique features.

• They have iridescent green and blue feathers on their bellies, chins and on their backs.
• Apart from being bright red in color, their beaks are quite wide in hummingbird standards.

These birds prefer more open country like meadows and canyons and their diet consists mainly of nectar and small insects.

6. Broad-tailed Hummingbird

Broad-tailed hummingbirds are extremely colorful and do, indeed, have quite a broad tail. Other identifying features include.

• The male birds have an iridescent orange throat, a white belly and bright green and blue feathers on their heads and backs.
• The females are similar except that they lack the brightly colored throat.

These birds like to live high up in evergreen forests and their diet mainly consists of nectar and small insects.

7. Buff-bellied Hummingbird

Buff-bellied hummingbirds are hard to miss with their brightly colored feathers and bright red beaks. You can identify them from the following features.

• These birds have pink-yellow bellies otherwise know as buff.
• They also have light green feather on their backs and their wings sport orange-colored feathers.

Buff-bellied hummingbirds like to inhabit forested areas especially along the coast. Their favorite food is the rich nectar found in many flowers. Of course, they love backyard hummingbird feeders too.

8. Calliope Hummingbird

The Calliope hummingbird is a sweet little bird that sometimes visits Florida. It can be distinguished by the following features.

• The male birds have wine-red feathers on their throats but the females don’t.
• Both male and female birds have green feathers on their backs and white bellies.
• Their tails sport dark feathers that are tipped with white.

These charming little birds prefer to inhabit open meadows and canyons. They primarily feed on nectar but always have a steady diet of small insects like aphids.

9. Costa’s Hummingbird

It’s hard to mistake Costa’s hummingbird due to its bright purple coloring. Here are its distinctive features to look out for.

• Male birds have bright purple feathers on their heads and throats.
• Both male and female birds have distinctive white eyebrows.
• Their chest feathers are white in the middle and pale green on the outside which makes them look like they’re wearing a green vest.

These birds prefer to live in open scrub lands and exist mainly on a diet of nectar.

10. Ruby-throated Hummingbird

The ruby-throated hummingbird is the most common of the species that you’re likely to see in Florida. You can see them all year round so if you have backyard feeders, you should leave them out all year. Here’s how to identify them.

• The male birds have a bright ruby-red throat, hence the name.
• Both male and female birds have emerald or golden-green feathers on their backs that shimmer in the sunlight like a precious jewel.

These delightful little hummers like to live in deciduous forests and make their nests in oak, birch and poplar trees. They feed mainly on nectar and small insects.

11. Rufous Hummingbird

It’s also quite common to see the Rufous hummingbird in Florida all year round. These birds are easy to identify with the following features.

• Male birds have iridescent orange feathers on their necks.
• Both male and female birds have green feathers on their backs and dark tail feathers that are white-tipped.

These birds like to live in more open areas like fields or the edges of forests. Their diet consists mainly of nectar but they will also drink the sap out of tree holes that have been made by other birds. Small insects like spiders also make up part of their diet.

2 Additional Species Of Hummingbirds Rarely Seen In Florida

There are two additional species of hummingbirds that be seen in Florida but this is very rare.

Blue-Throated Mountain Gem

These large hummingbirds are native to Texas and Mexico. They are mostly dusky-green in color with the males having a distinctive blue throat. Both male and female birds have a distinctive white stripe above and below their eyes, and gray bellies.

These birds primarily feed on nectar.

Mexican Violetear

As you would imagine, this hummingbird is native to Mexico. It prefers to live in open forests and can be seen in the clearings or along the edges of the forest.

These birds have emerald-green feathers on their backs, chests and heads. They also have purple patch over their ears. Both males and females of the species are similar in coloring although the female is a little more muted.

Mexican Violetears prefer to feed on nectar and small insects.

Where Can You See These Hummingbirds?

The best way to spot any of these hummingbirds in Florida is to hang a hummingbird feeder filled with nectar in your backyard. Make sure that the feeder is red in color or has some red decorations such as flowers.

Hummingbird are particularly attracted by the color red and will find your feeders in no time. It’s also a good idea to plant some rich nectar-filled flowers to further entice these birds into your yard. Include species like honeysuckle, daylilies, red cardinal flowers, hollyhock and scarlet larkspur.

Final Thoughts

There are around 11 species of hummingbird that will visit Florida, mainly in the winter. Two of these, the ruby-throated and the rufous hummingbird will spend their time in the state all year round.