Hummingbirds Found in Indiana: (Pictures and Sounds)

Indiana is known as the Hoosier State and has one seasonal hummingbird that breeds and nests in the state out of the six documented species.

What species of hummingbirds are found in Indiana?

There are 6 species of hummingbirds documented as seen in Indiana.
Documented Indiana hummingbirds, listed in order of frequency seen are Ruby-throated, Rufous, Anna’s, Black-chinned, Calliope, and Mexican Violetear hummingbirds.

Sighting Maps:

These 6 species of hummingbirds are documented as being seen in Indiana by sighting maps, listed in the order of frequently seen:
(click links to see sighting map)

• Ruby-throated (Archilochus colubris)
• Rufous (Selasphorus rufus)
• Anna’s (Calypte anna)
• Black-chinned (Archilochus alexandri)
• Calliope (Selasphorus calliope)
• Mexican Violetear (Colibri thalassinus)

These 6 hummingbird species found in Indiana are further classified into three groups:
Year-round residents, Seasonal visitors, and Rare/Vagrant visitors.

Hummingbirds:	Year-Round, Seasonal, Rare/Vagrant
Ruby-throated	Seasonal
Rufous	Rare/Vagrant
Anna’s	Rare/Vagrant
Black-chinned	Rare/Vagrant
Calliope	Rare/Vagrant
Mexican Violetear	Rare/Vagrant

The climate of Indiana is humid continental to a humid subtropical climate. It has hot, humid and wet summers with cold bitter snowy winters. The topography consists of flat rugged plains and hilly terrain, caves, ridges and waterfalls.

The first migrating hummingbirds arrive in Indiana in mid-March and the last migrating hummingbirds are usually gone by early October. 

Read my article: 
Hummingbird Migration in Indiana

Read on to find out more about each of these hummingbird species as well as where and when they can be found in Indiana.

Indiana Hummingbirds That Are Year-Round Residents

This hummingbird classification is defined as hummingbirds residing in Indiana 365 days a year and do not migrate. There are no year-round hummingbird residents in Indiana.

Indiana Hummingbirds That Are Seasonal

This hummingbird classification is defined as hummingbirds in Indiana temporarily as part of their migratory pattern.

Some spend the entire spring, summer, and fall in Indiana while others migrate and may travel to more northern states during the summer. Some seasonal hummingbirds will remain in Indiana for the entire winter by choice, injury, or old age.

The only classified seasonal hummingbird in Indiana is:

• Ruby-throated

Read on to find out more about each of these hummingbird species as well as where and when they can be found in Indiana.

RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD – (Archilochus colubris)

Conservation Status: Least concerned
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Archilochus
Species: A. colubris

Ruby-throated hummingbirds main residence is mostly in the Midwest and on the east coast of the United States, therefore they are the most commonly seen in Indiana.

Sightings map documents the Ruby-throated hummingbird is seen in every area of Indiana.

According to Purdue University of Forestry and Natural Resources in West Lafayette Indiana, the Ruby-throated hummingbird is the only species of hummingbird that nests in Indiana. Their nesting materials consist of down from dandelion, thistle, milkweed, portions of ferns, mosses, and young leaves.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are a seasonal bird that remain throughout the summer in Indiana and can begin fall migration as early as July. The last migrating hummingbirds fly south to winter in Mexico and are usually gone by October.

Scientist Carl Linnaeus of Sweden is credited with giving the Ruby-throated hummingbird its scientific name. He initially classified the species as “Trochilus colubris.”
Its name was revised more than a century later when German botanist Ludwig Reichenbach classed it as “Archilochus colubris,” which is now its scientific name and means “sky spirit/sun-god bird” or “top thief.”

Male
Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds:

Male Ruby-throated hummingbirds are vibrant and slightly smaller than females. They feature an iridescent ruby-red or blood-red throat (gorget) that can appear black in poor light. Their backs and crowns are metallic green, while their underparts are pale gray to white. The tail is forked and dark, without the white tips seen in females.

The metal plate that shields the wearer’s throat during combat to prevent injuries is the inspiration behind the name of the gorget on a male hummingbird. This name is acceptable and fitting to characterize the physical characteristics of male hummingbirds, since they fight fiercely for their own territory.

Read my article:
Hummingbird Gorgets Explained.

The Ruby-throated hummingbird is a tiny species of hummingbird, measuring 2.8 to 3.3 inches in length and weighing less than 4.5 grams, or two U.S. dimes.
They live for three to five years on average. 

According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), the Ruby-throated hummingbird is the most common hummingbird to Indiana State Parks, across the state.

Note: Two bottom Male Ruby-throated hummingbird photos taken in Indiana.

Female
Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds:

Female Ruby-throated hummingbirds have green backs, pale grayish-white underparts, and a rounded tail with white tips on the outer feathers. Unlike males, they lack the iridescent red throat patch (gorget) and instead have a plain pale gray throat.
They are slightly larger than males and are less colorful with a white throat stippled with light spots.

Females are solitary, often seen foraging or tending to nests, which they build from plant fibers and spider silk. Their subdued coloration helps them stay camouflaged while nesting.

Ruby-throated hummingbird’s life expectancy is roughly three to five years.
The oldest female Ruby-throated hummingbird on record, at nine years old, is nearly twice as old as the male life expectancy.

See my article:
Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)

Note: Two bottom Female Ruby-throated hummingbird photos taken in Indiana.

Juvenile
Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds:

Juvenile Ruby-throated hummingbirds, both male and female, resemble adult females in appearance. They have green backs, pale grayish-white underparts, and rounded tails with white tips on the outer feathers. 

Young males eventually will show faint speckling or streaks of iridescent red on their throats, which develop into the full gorget with maturity.

As juveniles molt into their first full set of feathers, the fluffy white undertail coverts become visible. These feathers are a distinguishing feature and are often more prominent due to their soft texture.

Juveniles are slightly smaller than adults and are often less confident flyers. They spend much of their time learning to forage at flowers and feeders, developing the skills needed for survival.

Note: Three bottom Juvenile Ruby-throated hummingbird photos taken in Indiana.

Baby
Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds:

Baby Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are tiny, naked, and helpless at birth, weighing less than a gram with closed eyes. They develop gray down within days, followed by pin feathers and green juvenile plumage by 2–3 weeks. Fed nectar and insects by their mother, they fledge at 18–22 days, ready to explore and forage.

See my article:
Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

The Ruby-throated hummingbird migrates via two different routes in the spring and fall.
The first migration route takes them directly, via the Gulf of Mexico, southwest to Mexico, where they travel nonstop until they reach Central America for the winter.  

Over 500 miles is the flight distance over the Gulf of Mexico. Despite being the direct “short” route, these birds must overcome many difficulties.

Not being able to rest, not having access to food or fuel, and needing to steer clear of the severe tropical Atlantic hurricanes while traveling to their destination are some of the challenges faced when flying over the Gulf of Mexico.

To exacerbate the situation, they migrate during the night or are conducting a “Red-eye flight,” depending on your point of view.

Even though both sexes double their body fat before beginning their arduous transoceanic migratory pattern across the Gulf of Mexico, researchers think that males’ energy consumption is more taxing due to their small stature.

The second land migration path is long and follows the Gulf of Mexico’s shoreline. Even though there are fewer guarantees of food sources along the way, taking the “long” route gives them the chance to stop and replenish.

Scientists are unclear and continue to investigate why one group of birds would prefer to take one route over the other.
Read my article:
Hummingbird Migration in Indiana

Nine years and one month was the oldest known living female Ruby-throated hummingbird, found during a capture and release banding operation in West Virginia.
See my article:
3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

Indiana Hummingbirds That Are Rare/Vagrant

This hummingbird classification is defined as hummingbirds residing in a group outside of their normal geographic range. Not only do these species of hummingbirds have a wide variety of specific geographic ranges, but they are also known to sometimes interbreed with each other creating hybrids.

The 5 classified Rare/Vagrant hummingbirds listed in order of frequency seen in Indiana are:

• Rufous
• Anna’s
• Black-chinned
• Calliope
• Mexican Violetear

According to Purdue University of Forestry and Natural Resources in West Lafayette Indiana, the Allen’s hummingbird is identified at various locations in Indiana over the past several years, even though ebird does not sight them on the sightings map, therefore I did not add an Allen’s hummingbird profile to the rare/vagrant list of hummingbirds seen in Indiana.

Read on to find out more about each of these hummingbird species as well as where and when they can be found in Indiana.

RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD – (Selasphorus rufus)

Conservation Status: Near threatened
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Selasphorus
Species: S. rufous

Rufous hummingbirds are located in western North America and are a migrating species.
They acquire their name from the Latin word rubrum which means “red” describing its reddish-brown coloring.

They breed in the north from southern Alaska and most travel all the way south to winter in Mexico.
They are a rare visitor to Indiana since they are seen mainly in the Western United States.

Sightings map show the Rufous hummingbirds have documented Indiana sightings in scattered areas all throughout the state.

They are the second most commonly seen hummingbird in Indiana, behind the Ruby-throated hummingbird, even though there is a vast difference in sighting numbers between the two species.

According to Purdue University of Forestry and Natural Resources in West Lafayette Indiana, during fall migration in late autumn, Rufous hummingbirds can be observed at feeders in Indiana.
Some Rufous migrating hummingbirds occasionally overwinter in Indiana.

Male
Rufous Hummingbirds:

Male Rufous hummingbirds are known for their fiery iridescent orange-red throat (gorget) and bright metallic orange color on their head and back that gleams in the sun.

The metal plate that shields the wearer’s throat during combat to prevent injuries is the inspiration behind the name of the gorget on a male hummingbird. This name is acceptable and fitting to characterize the physical characteristics of male hummingbirds, since they fight fiercely for their own territory.

Read my article:
Hummingbird Gorgets Explained

Their belly and chest are white or buff-colored, providing contrast to the vibrant orange.
Their tails are reddish with dark tips and their bill is black.

Along with chocolate brown dorsal feathers, males can also have green plumage with green spots on their rustic-looking backs or on the summit of their heads.
They weigh 3.2 grams and range in length from 2.8 to 3.5 inches.

Female
Rufous Hummingbirds:

Female Rufous hummingbirds are less vibrant than males because they lack a gorget and iridescent feathers,however are still striking. They have greenish backs, rusty sides, and white or buffy undersides. 

In the wild, confusion can arise because some females can have stippling or scattered iridescent orange color specs along their throat line that resemble juvenile characteristics.

They are slightly larger than the males in anticipation of producing offspring.
They are polygamous and will mate with several partners in a season.

Female Rufous hummingbirds have one of the northernmost breeding ranges of any hummingbird in the world; migrating north from Mexico and nesting as far north as Alaska to breed during the summer months.

See my article:
Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)

Juvenile
Rufous Hummingbirds:

Juvenile Rufous hummingbirds resemble adult females with greenish backs, rusty sides, and pale undersides. Males may show early signs of iridescent orange red dots on their neckline. Their behavior includes rapid learning of flight and feeding skills, preparing them for long migrations and eventual territorial disputes.

In the wild, juvenile Rufous hummingbirds and Allen’s hummingbirds are nearly identical in terms of color and behavior.
Therefore, range rather than appearance is used to establish identity.

As juveniles molt into their first full set of feathers, the fluffy white undertail coverts become visible. These feathers are a distinguishing feature and are often more prominent due to their soft texture.

Baby
Rufous Hummingbirds:

Baby Rufous hummingbirds are tiny, naked, and blind at hatching, weighing less than a gram. Their skin is pale pink, with sparse down feathers. Cared for by the mother, they remain in the nest for about 18-22 days, developing feathers, strength, and coordination before fledging to begin independent life.

See my article:
Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

Of all the birds in the world, Rufous hummingbirds migrate within the United States for the longest period of time. Every year, they traverse 3,900 miles in a clockwise manner around western America.

This migratory pattern during the seasons coordinates their arrival perfectly while catching nectar and blooming flowers throughout the year, fueling their bodies for their long journey.

In order to support a healthy migration, hummingbird enthusiasts are very beneficial when they cultivate blooming plants to draw hummingbirds and supply feeders with homemade hummingbird nectar. 

These friendly environments offer and guarantee safe trips in addition to a dependable haven for relaxation and refueling while on the road.

A large number of Rufous hummingbirds will choose to move south to Mexico rather than stay in Indiana for the winter. Hummingbirds, however, can withstand far lower temperatures than most people think.

According to eBird.org, through branding practices in Wisconsin, the Rufous and Ruby-throated hummingbirds are documented surviving in temperatures of -9F and wind chills of -36F.
See my article:
3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

Rufous hummingbirds, being a migratory species, are extremely grateful to hummingbird enthusiasts in Indiana who leave hummingbird feeders up all winter long providing life-nourishing nectar.
This selfless act also provides nectar to other injured or older hummingbirds that are unable to migrate.

See my article:
11 DIY Ways to Keep Hummingbird Nectar From Freezing

When it comes to other hummingbirds and animals, Rufous hummingbirds are fiercely possessive and hostile. They are known for being aggressive and bold, driving large birds and rodents away from their favorite feeders in addition to other hummingbirds.
See my article:
Why Hummingbirds Chase Each Other: Is it Friend or Foe?

Because of their unparalleled flying acrobatics, Rufous hummingbirds are fierce competitors at feeders, outmaneuvering all other species.

Rufous hummingbirds easily hybridize and cross-breed with other hummingbird species, such as Anna’s hummingbirds.

IUCN Red List classifies the Rufous hummingbird as “near threatened” because of habitat destruction in the Pacific Northwest.

In British Columbia, during a banding operation, the oldest living Rufous hummingbird was documented at 8 years and 10 months old.
See my article:
3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD – (Calypte anna) 

Conservation Status: Least concerned
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Calypte
Species: C. anna

The Anna’s hummingbirds are year-round residents to Washington, Oregon and California in the Western United States. They live along the western coastline of North America, starting from southern Canada all the way to northern Baja California.
They are a rare visitor to Indiana since they are seen mainly in the Western United States.

Some Anna’s hummingbirds and some migrating hummingbirds that are too old or injured to migrate occasionally overwinter in Indiana.

Sightings map show Anna’s hummingbirds have rare documented Indiana sightings north of Indianapolis in-between Kokomo and Frankfort.

Anna’s hummingbird, scientifically known as Calypte anna, gets its common name from Anna Masséna, the Duchess of Rivoli. 

Male
Anna’s Hummingbirds:

In North America, male Anna’s hummingbirds are the only species of hummingbirds with a red crown. Their predominant colors are magenta, gray, and green.
The male gorget and crown are iridescent magenta and they are very vivid and showy.

They weigh between 2.4 and 4.5 grams and have lengths ranging from 3.5 to 4.3 inches.

The metal plate that shields the wearer’s throat during combat to prevent injuries is the inspiration behind the name of the gorget on a male hummingbird. This name is acceptable and fitting to characterize the physical characteristics of male hummingbirds, since they fight fiercely for their own territory.

Read my article:
Hummingbird Gorgets Explained

Female
Anna’s Hummingbirds:

Female Anna’s hummingbirds are pale green in hue, not as brilliant as the males. Although a showy gorget is more prevalent on the males, females can also have them, showing a tiny area of magenta.
Females are identified by the faint white line that usually covers each eye.

Female Anna’s hummingbirds raise their young with no help from the males.
See my article:
Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)

Juvenile
Anna’s Hummingbirds:

Juvenile Anna’s hummingbirds, both male and female, look more like adult females until they are differentiated as the male begins to acquire the bright red/magenta gorget.

Their green backs are muted, underparts are pale gray, and bills are shorter. They explore feeders and flowers as they learn to forage.

Juvenile Anna’s hummingbirds molt into their adult plumage as they mature, developing the full iridescent throat patch (gorget) and brighter coloration in males, or retaining the subtler tones in females.

Note: This Anna’s hummingbird may be a youngster going through the awkward adolescent years, or it may be in the process of molting.
Also, notice his fluffy white undertail coverts become visible and will disappear as he ages.

Note: The magenta head feathers of this juvenile male Anna’s hummingbird are starting to show at his temple and a hint of color is beginning to appear on his gorget.
Also, notice his fluffy white undertail coverts become visible.

Baby
Anna’s Hummingbirds:

Baby Anna’s hummingbirds are tiny, naked, and helpless at birth, with closed eyes and no feathers. They grow quickly, developing gray down within a few days. By 2–3 weeks, pin feathers emerge, and their green plumage starts showing. Fed by regurgitated nectar and insects from their mother, they fledge the nest at about 3 weeks old.

See my article:
Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

Anna’s hummingbirds enjoy a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and fairly wet winters.

Male Anna’s are notable for their remarkable diving displays during mating season and their ability to thrive in urbanized areas.
The male Anna’s hummingbird executes dramatic and captivating displays during courtship and diving. The entire dive display lasts 12 seconds from start to finish.

See my article:
Hummingbird Dance: 5 Interpretive Explanations

Anna’s hummingbirds hybridize and readily crossbreed with other hummingbird species, such as the Black-chinned, Costa’s, and Rufous hummingbirds. 

The oldest male Anna’s hummingbird known to exist was 8 years and 2 months old when he was captured and released during a banding expedition in Arizona.
See my article:
3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD – (Archilochus alexandri)

Conservation Status: Least concerned
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Archilochus
Species: A. alexandri

The Black-chinned hummingbird lives across the western United States, Mexico, and Canada, therefore they are rare to Indiana.

Sighting map show Black-chinned hummingbirds have rare documented Indiana sightings south of Indianapolis in Bloomington and north of Evansville in Princeton.

The Black-chinned hummingbird’s scientific name is in commemoration of Dr. Alexandre, a French doctor who was the first to discover the species in Mexico.

Male
Black-Chinned Hummingbirds:

Male Black-chinned hummingbirds are small, metallic green birds with white undersides and a striking black throat (gorget) that shimmers a royal purple in the sunlight.
This royal purple gorget resembling a buttoned-up shirt with a small flash of color right near the neckline is the distinguishing feature of male Black-chinned hummingbirds. 

The metal plate that shields the wearer’s throat during combat to prevent injuries is the inspiration behind the name of the gorget on a male hummingbird. This name is acceptable and fitting to characterize the physical characteristics of male hummingbirds, since they fight fiercely for their own territory.

Read my article:
Hummingbird Gorgets Explained

They have a black bill and a forked dark tail. Their length ranges from 3.25 to 3.5 inches, and they weigh between 2.8 and 5.6 grams.

Female
Black-Chinned Hummingbirds:

Compared to their male counterparts, female Black-chinned hummingbirds are less colorful and lack a gorget and iridescent feathers. 

White tips and beige edges on the dorsal feathers, which turn dark black as they age, adorn their dark, rounded tail, which has a white underbelly.  

They have dull metallic marbled colors on their head and backs that resemble snake scales: beige, green, white, yellow-green, and dark brown.
See my article:
Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)

Juvenile
Black-Chinned Hummingbirds:

Male and female juvenile Black-chinned hummingbirds initially resemble adult females until the male starts to develop the iridescent feathers that are characteristic of this species of hummingbird.

As juveniles molt into their first full set of feathers, the fluffy white undertail coverts become visible. These feathers are a distinguishing feature and are often more prominent due to their soft texture.

Baby
Black-Chinned Hummingbirds:

Baby Black-Chinned hummingbirds are tiny, naked, and helpless at birth, with closed eyes and no feathers. They grow quickly, developing gray down within a few days. By 2–3 weeks, pin feathers emerge, and their green plumage starts showing. Fed by regurgitated nectar and insects from their mother, they fledge the nest at about 3 weeks old.

See my article:
Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

Particularly while protecting “their” feeders, hummingbirds come across as the most ruthless sheriff in the area due to their intense territoriality. To defend nectar sources full of blooming plants that attract hummingbirds, they will engage in territorial conflicts.

Although Black-chinned hummingbirds are a territorial species, they will become less aggressive and learn to share if they happen to be in an area with a high hummingbird population and food sources.
See my article:
Why Hummingbirds Chase Each Other: Is it Friend or Foe?

Black-chinned hummingbirds easily hybridize and interbreed with other hummingbird species, including Costa’s and Anna’s. 

In Texas, during a banding and capture effort, the oldest known female Black-chinned hummingbird was 11 years and 2 months old.
See my article:
3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD – (Selasphorus calliope)

Conservation Status: Least concerned
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Selasphorus
Species: S. calliope

Calliope hummingbirds are located in western North America and are a migrating species. They breed in the north from southern Alaska and most travel all the way south to winter in Mexico, therefore making them extremely rare in Indiana.

Sightings map shows Calliope hummingbirds have extremely rare documented Indiana sightings in Bloomington and Evansville.

Calliope hummingbirds are named after a Greek mythological muse, who represented poetry and eloquence. Calliope means “beautiful voice” in ancient Greek.

According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), the state ornithologist has listed the Calliope hummingbird as a bird species found in Indiana.

Male
Calliope Hummingbirds:

Male Calliope hummingbirds are North America’s smallest hummingbirds, known for their metallic green backs and creamy white underparts. Their striking and identifiable feature is the long stunning row of iridescent magenta streaks on their throat (gorget) that flare out like a fan. They have a slender, slightly curved bill and a forked dark tail.
They are 3 inches long and weigh 2-3 grams.

The metal plate that shields the wearer’s throat during combat to prevent injuries is the inspiration behind the name of the gorget on a male hummingbird.
This name is acceptable and fitting to characterize the physical characteristics of male hummingbirds, since they fight fiercely for their own territory.

Read my article:
Hummingbird Gorgets Explained

Female
Calliope Hummingbirds:

The female Calliope hummingbird is less colorful than the male and lacks a gorget and iridescent feathers. They are small, elegant birds with metallic green backs and pale buff or white underparts.
They have a rounded tail with white tips and a slender, slightly curved bill, to feed on nectar and insects.

When a female Calliope hummingbird builds a nest she is known to both nest on the top of pine cones and to steal building materials from the nests of other birds in order to construct her own. She will dismantle nests from previous seasons and recycle them in her new nest.

See my article:
Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)

Juvenile
Calliope Hummingbirds:

Juvenile Calliope hummingbirds, both male and female, resemble adult females with metallic green backs and pale underparts until the male starts to develop the iridescent feathers that are characteristic of this species of hummingbird. The male throats will begin to show faint speckling or streaks as they mature. 

As juveniles molt into their first full set of feathers, the fluffy white undertail coverts become visible. These feathers are a distinguishing feature and are often more prominent due to their soft texture.

Baby
Calliope Hummingbirds:

Baby Calliope hummingbirds are tiny, featherless, and have closed eyes at birth. They are pink-skinned and entirely dependent on their mother for warmth and food. As they grow, they develop gray down followed by green feathers. The mother feeds them nectar and insects until they fledge in about 2–3 weeks.

See my article:
Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

The world’s smallest long-distance migratory bird is the Calliope hummingbird. Their springtime migration patterns resemble those of Rufous hummingbirds. 

Throughout their northward spring migration where they breed, they traverse the Pacific Flyways. On their southbound journey in the fall, they pass through the Pacific and Rocky Mountain Flyways towards their wintering destination in Mexico. 

Read my article:
Hummingbird Migration in Indiana

Calliope hummingbirds hybridize and readily crossbreed with other hummingbird species, such as the Costa’s hummingbird.

Calliope hummingbirds are especially susceptible to habitat loss and natural catastrophes like wildfires and climate change because they have a smaller wintering range than other hummingbird species.

The oldest known female Calliope hummingbird was twice captured during a 2007 and 2014 banding operation in Idaho. She was 8 years and 11 months old at the time of her capture.
See my article:
3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

MEXICAN VIOLETEAR
(aka GREEN VIOLETEAR) HUMMINGBIRD – (Colibri thalassinus)  

Conservation Status: Least concerned
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Colibri
Species: C. thalassinus

The Mexican Violetear (Violet-ear) or the Green-Violetear hummingbird are usually found in Mexico, Central America, and northern South America, making them a rare/accidental visitor to Indiana. 

Sightings map document the Mexican-Violetear hummingbirds to have one extremely rare Indiana sighting in Lafayette.

According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), the state ornithologist has listed the Mexican Violetear hummingbird as a bird species found in Indiana.

The Mexican Violetear belongs to the Colibri thalassinus hummingbird species. It gets its name from the Latin word thalassinus meaning “color of the sea”.
The term “violet-ears” refers to the bright patch of feathers that stands out on the sides of this hummingbird’s head, mimicking an ear, giving rise to its popular name. 

Male
Mexican Violetear Hummingbirds:

Male Mexican Violetear hummingbirds are medium-sized hummingbirds with stunning, vibrant plumage and iridescent green bodies.

They do not have a gorget in the traditional sense as most hummingbirds. Instead, males feature a distinctive shimmering violet patch on the sides of their necks and sometimes a central violet streak on their chest, which serves a similar purpose in display and territorial behavior.
This coloration is less concentrated than a typical gorget but equally striking.

This hummingbird has metallic blue-green tail feathers with a black band underneath the bronze tail feathers in the center.
They weigh between 5 and 6 grams and have lengths ranging from 3.8 to 4.7 inches. 

Female
Mexican Violetear Hummingbirds:

Females typically have a less vibrant coloration compared to males. They have a primarily green plumage, which can appear as a dull green or blue-green. The green is iridescent and may shine with different intensities and hues in various lighting conditions.

The violet ear patches are present in females but are often less pronounced than in males.
The underparts of the female are typically a duller green compared to the males, and they may have some grayish or whitish markings.

The tail is typically dark, forked, and has some blue or green iridescence. It is usually less spectacular than that of the male.
See my article:
Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)

Juvenile
Mexican Violetear Hummingbirds:

Male and female Mexican Violetear hummingbirds in their juvenile years resemble adult females until the male starts to develop the characteristic iridescent violet ear patches on either side of his neck. 

As juveniles molt into their first full set of feathers, the fluffy white undertail coverts become visible. These feathers are a distinguishing feature and are often more prominent due to their soft texture.

Baby
Mexican Violetear Hummingbirds:

Baby Mexican violetear hummingbirds are tiny, featherless, and have closed eyes at birth. They are pink-skinned and entirely dependent on their mother for warmth and food. As they grow, they develop gray down feathers, followed by iridescent green plumage. Their mother feeds them a mix of nectar and insects until they fledge at about 3 weeks old.

See my article:
Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

From Mexico to Nicaragua, these hummingbird species are found on the outskirts of cloud forests, where they thrive in an environment with high levels of tropical humidity. It is common to see this dark hummingbird at forest margins and clearings.

Mexican Violetear hummingbirds are semi-nomadic. Since they have not been thoroughly examined, scientists know very little about their migration patterns.
However, based on available data, the Mexican Violetear is primarily distributed in northern South America, middle Mexico, and middle America. 

Much like a lot of other hummingbird species, the Mexican Violetear hummingbird nests alone. Although they do not feed in flocks, these hummingbirds are observed in groups around flowering trees, such as the coffee-shading Inga tree, where they scavenge for nectar and insects.

In terms of social behavior, Mexican Violetear hummingbirds are generally solitary, especially outside of the breeding season. They can be territorial, with males often defending prime feeding territories from other hummingbirds.
See my article:
Why Hummingbirds Chase Each Other: Is it Friend or Foe?

The oldest known Mexican Violetear hummingbird was documented to be at least 11 years and 2 months old.
This information is based on banding records, where birds are captured, banded with a unique identification ring, and then potentially recaptured or found in the future. 

The age of this particular Mexican Violetear was determined by the length of time between its initial banding and its last documented recapture or sighting.
See my article:
3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

Read my article:
Hummingbird Migration in Indiana

Keep your eyes peeled and observe and enjoy the multiple types of hummingbirds found in Indiana!

Happy Hummingbird Watching!