Hummingbirds Found in Montana: (Pictures and Sounds)

What types of hummingbirds are found in Montana?

There are 9 species of hummingbirds documented as seen in Montana.
Documented Montana hummingbirds, listed in order of frequency seen are Calliope, Rufous, Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, Anna’s, Ruby-throated, Rivoli’s, Costa’s, and Mexican Violetear hummingbirds.

Sighting Maps:

These 9 species of hummingbirds are documented as being seen in Montana by sighting maps, listed in the order of frequently seen:
(click links to see sighting map)

• Calliope – (Selasphorus calliope)
• Rufous – (Selasphorus rufus)
• Black-chinned – (Archilochus alexandri)
• Broad-tailed – (Selsaphoris platycercus)
• Anna’s – (Calypte anna)
• Ruby-throated – (Archilochus colubris)
• Rivoli’s (Magnificent) – (Eugenes fulgens)
• Costa’s – (Calypte costae)
• Mexican Violetear aka Green Violetear – (Colibri thalassinus)

These 11 hummingbird species found in Montana are further classified into three groups:
Year-round residents, Seasonal visitors, and Rare/Vagrant visitors.

Hummingbird:	Year-Round, Seasonal, Rare/Vagrant
Calliope	Seasonal
Rufous	Seasonal
Black-chinned	Seasonal
Broad-tailed	Seasonal
Anna’s	Rare/Vagrant
Ruby-throated	Rare/Vagrant
Rivoli’s	Rare/Vagrant
Costa’s	Rare/Vagrant
Mexican Violetear	Rare/Vagrant

For more information on Montana hummingbirds:
Read my article: Hummingbird Migration in Montana

Montana, known as The Treasure State, after all of its rich sources in mineral reserves has four hummingbirds that breed and nest in this state.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Calliope, Rufous, Black-chinned, and Broad-tailed hummingbirds breed in Montana.

While it is easy to assume all hummingbirds are the same when we see them only as a jewel-toned flash of color as they jet around our hanging flowers and porches; they have different temperaments, varied nesting habits, diverse coloring and reside in multiple geographical ranges.

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

Montana Hummingbirds That Are Year-Round Residents

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

Montana Hummingbirds That Are Seasonal

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

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

The only classified seasonal hummingbird in Montana is:

• Calliope
• Rufous
• Black-chinned
• Broad-tailed

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

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 Kansas.

Sightings map show the Calliope hummingbirds have documented sightings in areas of Montana heavily concentrated in the north west and south central.

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

Male Calliope hummingbirds:
The long, stunning row of feathers that protrude down the sides of the throat and their iridescent purple cap are characteristics that make male Calliope hummingbirds clearly identifiable.
These hummingbirds, which are 3 inches long and weigh 2-3 grams, have shiny green backs like many others. 

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. Their head’s crown, or top, has a grayish-green hue.
The buff hue of the flanks refers to the sides, underbelly, and area beneath the wings.

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

Baby Calliope hummingbirds:
Baby Calliope hummingbirds are easily identified by their undertail coverts, which are white fluffy feathers near their bottom that will disappear as they age.
See my article: Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

Hear the sounds of the Calliope hummingbird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology link).

Like many other hummingbirds, Calliopes use their feathers to manipulate their flight path in order to produce a variety of buzzing noises that serve as a type of language.  

The male will fervently fly back and forth and perform a “U” shaped courtship display to get the attention of the female when she is quietly perched.
He will perform a vocal serenade for the female while swaying his body back and forth in front of her.
See my article: Hummingbird Dance: 5 Interpretive Explanations

A breeding area is established by male Calliope hummingbirds, who mate with any female that accepts their wooing.

In terms of social behavior, Calliope hummingbirds are generally solitary, especially outside of the breeding season. They are 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 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. 

See my article: Hummingbird Migration in Montana

They are a common summer breeding migrant to Montana and tend to breed in the higher elevations of the Rocky Mountains. They arrive in the spring as early as April and leave by September to mid-October, while some choose to winter in Mexico.

During the breeding season, female Calliope hummingbirds select the tips of pine cones as her building site for her nest. Along with stealing materials from other birds’ nests to build her own, she will also disassemble and recycle previous seasons’ nests. 

Therefore, larger and more aggressive hummingbirds, such as Allen’s and Rufous hummingbirds, frequently chase and attack female Calliopes. Compared to other species, the Calliope keeps a low profile in order to evade these attacks. 

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

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 breed in the north from southern Alaska and most travel all the way south to winter in Mexico.

Sightings map show the Rufous hummingbirds have documented Montana sightings in the north west and south central areas with scattered sightings in Glasgow, Baker, and Broadus.

They are the second most commonly seen hummingbird in Montana. They acquire their name from the Latin word rubrum which means “red” describing its reddish-brown coloring.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Rufous hummingbirds are a common summer breeding resident in Montana.

Male Rufous hummingbirds:
The orange-red gorget of a male rufous hummingbird is iridescent, and their tail and sides have a rusty hue. Their underside is beige to white, 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.

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 Rufous hummingbirds:
The female Rufous hummingbird is less colorful than the male because it lacks a gorget and iridescent feathers.

In the wild, confusion may arise, though, because certain females have stippling or color specs along their throat line that resemble juvenile characteristics.They are slightly larger than the males in anticipation of producing offspring.
They 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.

They are polygamous and will mate with several partners in a season.
Read my article: Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)

Juvenile Rufous hummingbirds:
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.
The juvenile male Rufous’ rustic appearance is attributed to the iridescent orange dots on their neck.

Baby Rufous hummingbirds:
Baby Rufous hummingbirds are easily identified by their undertail coverts, which are white fluffy feathers near their bottom that will disappear as they age.
See my article: Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

Hear the sounds of the Rufous hummingbird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology link).

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 Montana 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 Montana who leave hummingbird feeders up all winter long providing life-nourishing nectar for those too old or injured 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?

It has even been observed that female mothers may attack squirrels and chipmunks that approach their nest too closely.

Due to their remarkable memory, Rufous hummingbirds have been observed to search for an abandoned hummingbird feeder years after it has been taken down.
Read my article: Hummingbird Adaptation and Remarkable Ability to Locate Food

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.
Read 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.
They are the third most commonly seen hummingbird in Montana.

Sighting map show Black-chinned hummingbirds have documented Montana sightings in the north west and south central areas, with a few scattered in Saco and St Marie.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Black-chinned hummingbirds are a common summer breeding resident in Montana.
Their breeding grounds and habitat are closely related to their cousin counterparts, the Ruby-throated hummingbird.

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:
The 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 male’s purple gorget or throat in some lighting at times looks entirely black.

Their flanks and backs are metallic green, while their undersides are white. 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.

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 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.
Read 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.

Baby Black-chinned hummingbirds:
Baby Black-chinned hummingbirds are easily identified by their undertail coverts, which are white fluffy feathers near their bottom that will disappear as they age.
See my article: Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

Hear the sounds of the Black-chinned hummingbird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology link).

Black-chinned hummingbirds breed to the east of the Cascade mountain range. By employing a decoy tactic, they are known to build their nests close to larger, busier bird nests, hence decreasing the likelihood of predators nearby. 

Of all extant mammals or vertebrates, Black-chinned hummingbirds have the least amount of genetic material known to science. Due to their little size, they run the risk of becoming prey for larger birds that consume insects.
See my article: 10 Common Things That Kill Hummingbirds

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?

The lifespan of a Black-chinned hummingbird is an astounding ten years, compared to other animals and birds of comparable size. 

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

BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD – (Selsaphoris platycercus)

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

The Broad-tailed hummingbird, though usually residing in Mexico and as far south as Guatemala during the winter, is a seasonal hummingbird to Montana.

Sightings map show Broad-tailed hummingbirds have documented Montana sightings in the south west and south central areas.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Broad-tailed hummingbirds are a common summer breeding resident in Montana.

The scientific name of the Broad-tailed hummingbird is Selasphorus platycercus. This species got its common name from the notably broad tail of the males, which is a distinguishing feature among hummingbirds. 

This broad tail, when combined with the hummingbird’s flight patterns, creates a distinctive trilling sound that is also a characteristic of the species. The combination of visual and auditory traits played a significant role in the naming of this bird.

Male Broad-tailed hummingbirds:
An iridescent ruby-red gorget is seen on male Broad-tailed hummingbirds.
Males and females alike, the Broad-tailed hummingbird is characterized by its green upperparts, light underbelly, vivid white eye rings, and widely rounded tails.

They have a medium build, measure from 3.3 and 3.8 inches in length, and weigh 3.6 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 Broad-tailed hummingbirds:
The female Broad-tailed hummingbird is less colorful than the male and lacks a gorget and iridescent feathers. 

Their underbellies are pale to beige, with vivid white eye rings and broadly rounded tails.
Their topsides are green, extending from the head to the tail.
See my article: Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)

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

Baby Broad-tailed hummingbirds:
Baby Broad-tailed hummingbirds are easily identified by their undertail coverts, which are white fluffy feathers near their bottom that will disappear as they age.
See my article: Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

Hear the sounds of the Broad-tailed hummingbird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology link).

The Broad-tailed hummingbird travels frequently to the United States near the southern Mexican border.

They have a migrant and non-migrant population that begins in the south of Mexico. The ones that migrate north to breed will do so during spring migration and will pass through Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and reach as far north as Montana. 

Broad-tailed hummingbirds commonly nest in Montana during the summer and their nests are often located over riparian corridors.

The Broad-tailed hummingbird favors habitats in the understory of mature forest woodlands such as pine and oak groves. They chose to nest on the branches of trees and have been known to return to the same nesting ground each year, roughly 70% of the time.

Their breeding time coincides with the peak time of flowering native plants for maximum food resource availability. Their favorite nectar-producing flower plants include Red Columbine, Indian Paintbrush, Sage varieties, Currants, and Scarlet Mint.

Once the breeding season is complete, Broad-tailed hummingbirds will depart and begin their southbound fall migration to winter in Mexico and meet up with their non-migrant population.

In terms of social behavior, Broad-tailed 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 Broad-tailed hummingbird has suffered a decline in population since the 1990s, but presently, its population is stable, and it has been shown to have adapted to human habitat encroachment.

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

The oldest living Broad-tailed hummingbird, a female, was 12 years and 2 months, recorded during a capture and release banding operation in Colorado.
See my article: 3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

Montana 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 Montana are:

• Anna’s
• Ruby-throated
• Rivoli’s
• Costa’s
• Mexican Violetear

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

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. 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 Montana since they are seen mainly in the Western United States.

Sightings map show Anna’s hummingbirds have documented sightings in Montana in Eureka, Whitefish, East Glacier Park, Kalispell, Polson, Thompson Falls, Missoula, Lolo, Stevensville, Victor, Hamilton, Deer lodge, Helena, Butte, Bozeman, Emigrant, Billings, Saco, and Fort Peck.

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.

Note: This Anna’s hummingbird may be a youngster going through the awkward adolescent years, or it may be in the process of molting.

Baby Anna’s hummingbirds:
Baby Anna’s hummingbirds are easily identified by their undertail coverts, which are white fluffy feathers near their bottom that will disappear as they age.
See my article: Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

Hear the sounds of the Anna’s hummingbird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology link).

The only hummingbird to reside year-round on the Pacific Coast is the Anna’s hummingbird who is a native of the west coast of North America.
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

Unlike many northern temperate hummingbirds, male Anna’s hummingbirds sing during courtship along with making vibrations with their tail feathers to attract a female.

Anna’s hummingbirds protect their territory with elaborate dives targeted towards predatory birds and even towards people they perceive to be threatening.
See my article: Why Hummingbirds Chase Each Other: Is it Friend or Foe?

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

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 are rare to Montana since their main residence is mostly in the Midwest and on the east coast of the United States.

Sightings map show the Ruby-throated hummingbirds have documented scattered Montana sightings in East Glacier Park, Flathead National Forest, Shelby, Havre, Malta, Glasgow, Fort Peck, Scobey, Plentywood, Glendive, Wibaux, Miles City, Billings, and Bozeman.

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:
The beautiful iridescent blood-red gorget of male Ruby-throated hummingbirds ends at the neck.
His distinctive features are black wings, a light gray underbelly, and a dull metallic green topside.

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. 

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 Ruby-throated hummingbirds:
Ruby-throated hummingbird females are usually larger than males, with a white throat stippled with light spots.

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: The pollen on her head and beak. This female Ruby-throated hummingbird has been busy pollinating and drinking nectar from flowers to sustain her high metabolism.

Juvenile Ruby-throated hummingbirds:
Ruby-throated hummingbird juveniles, both male and female, have a white throat with faint stippling, just like their mother. 

As the males become older, they start to show some color around their necks, and finally their stronger red throat feathers take center stage and proudly show off a vibrant gorget.

Baby Ruby-throated hummingbirds:
Baby Ruby-throated hummingbirds are easily identified by their undertail coverts, which are white fluffy feathers near their bottom that will disappear as they age.
See my article: Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

Hear the sounds of the Ruby-throated hummingbird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology link).

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 Montana

The Ruby-throated hummingbird is a common sight in parks, gardens, and backyards. It prefers open forests. Except for the breeding season, when they become ferociously territorial and hostile against hummingbirds of other species, they are solitary birds. 

Despite their aggressive nature, these hummingbirds are eaten by predators like dragonflies, big crustaceans, praying mantises, and orb-weaver spiders.
Read my article: 10 Common Things That Kill Hummingbirds

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.
Read my article: 3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

RIVOLI’S HUMMINGBIRD aka MAGNIFICENT – (Eugenes fulgens)

Conservation Status: Least concerned
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Eugenes
Species: E. fulgens

The Rivoli’s hummingbird resides in mountain areas of the southeastern United States all the way down to Nicaragua in Central America.

Sightings map document the Rivoli’s hummingbird to have documented rare Montana sightings in north west East Glacier Park.

The scientific name for Rivoli’s (pronounced: rivo-lee) hummingbird is Eugenes fulgens. This species was formerly known as the Magnificent hummingbird, a term that perfectly captures its incredible grace and size.

The birding enthusiast Victor Massena, the Duke of Rivoli, was honored with the renaming of Rivoli’s hummingbird. The common name “Rivoli’s hummingbird” was changed to recognize his contributions to ornithology and his love of bird research. 

This renaming is a part of a larger trend in ornithology, which is a move away from descriptive names and toward names that recognize and honor notable figures in the discipline.
Whatever name it goes by, the Rivoli’s hummingbird is still a species of curiosity and beauty.

Male Rivoli’s hummingbirds:
Unless they are in direct daylight, the violet crown, vivid blue-green gorget, and white eyespots of male Rivoli’s hummingbirds become more noticeable due to iridescence.
They weigh 6–10 grams and range in length from 4.3 to 5.5 inches. Rivoli’s hummingbirds are thought to be the second largest hummingbird in the United States, with the Blue-throated Mountain-gem being the largest.

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 Rivoli’s hummingbirds:
The female’s more subdued coloration plays a crucial role in camouflage, especially during nesting, when they need to stay hidden from predators while incubating eggs and raising their young.

Unlike the iridescent emerald or blue-green seen in males, the females tend to have a more muted, olive or bronze-green hue. 

The throat and chest of the female is pale gray or whitish, lacking the brilliant metallic colors seen in males. This area might have some speckles or mottled patterns.
Female Rivoli’s hummingbirds are generally similar in size to the males but can be slightly smaller.
See my article: Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)

Juvenile Rivoli’s hummingbirds:
Both male and female juvenile Rivoli’s hummingbirds resemble adult females until the male starts to develop the distinctive violet crown, vivid blue-green gorget, and white eyespots of this species.

Note: This juvenile still has some white fluffy feathers near his bottom, however he has a full violet crown and a vivid blue-green gorget, indicating he is very close to being an adult and almost through the later stages of adolescence.

Baby Rivoli’s hummingbirds:
Baby Rivoli’s hummingbirds are easily identified by their undertail coverts, which are white fluffy feathers near their bottom that will disappear as they age.
See my article: Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

Note: He is immediately recognized as a young baby by the white fluffy feathers near his bottom, which is easily missed!

Hear the sounds of the Rivoli’s hummingbird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology link).

Rivoli’s hummingbirds are found in mountainous regions ranging from the southwestern United States through Mexico and into Central America. Their range extends as far south as Nicaragua.

Rivoli’s love to dwell in ravines; they nest in trees that hang over streams and creeks, and they graze in open meadows.
They construct their nests in evergreen coniferous trees like juniper, pine, and fir as part of their breeding habitat.  

In terms of social behavior, Rivoli’s 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?

They are often seen at elevations ranging from 6,500 to 9,800 feet. Their preference for high-elevation habitats and dense forests makes Rivoli’s hummingbirds challenging to study and observe in the wild.

Though rare, hybridization between Rivoli’s hummingbirds and Berylline, Broad-billed, Blue-throated Mountain-gem, and Violet-crowned hummingbirds occurs.

The oldest known male Rivoli’s hummingbird was 11 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

COSTA’S HUMMINGBIRD – (Calypte costae)

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

The Costa’s hummingbird, though usually residing in the Western United States, Mexico and as far south as Guatemala during the winter, is a rare accidental vagrant hummingbird to Montana.

Sightings map show Costa’s hummingbirds have documented Montana sightings in south west Saco and north east Hamilton .

The scientific name of the Costa’s hummingbird is Calypte costae.
Jules Bourcier named the Costa’s hummingbird in 1839 in honor of Louis Marie Pantaleon Costa, a French naturalist, and ardent hummingbird collector.
He was recognized for his contributions to the field, and thus, the bird was named in his honor. 

This practice of naming species after people, especially those who have made significant contributions to science or natural history, is quite common in taxonomy.

Male Costa’s hummingbirds:
The male Costa’s hummingbird is a small and vibrant bird, easily recognizable by its distinct coloration and features.
It possesses a bright reddish-purple cap, which covers the head feathers, and a similarly colored gorget, which is the area around the throat. 

Unique to this species, the gorget displays long streaming throat feathers that extend on both sides of its face, bearing a resemblance to the feather arrangement found in Calliope 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

In contrast to the vivid colors of its head and throat, the male Costa’s hummingbird has a subdued body coloration. Its underbelly is light greenish-gray, providing a soft counterbalance to the brilliance of its head.
The back and flanks of the bird display a green hue, seamlessly blending with its natural habitats.

Regarding its size, the male Costa’s hummingbird is relatively small, measuring between 3 to 3.5 inches in length, and is lightweight, tipping the scales at just 2 to 3 grams. 

This combination of striking head and throat colors with its more muted body tones makes the male Costa’s hummingbird a distinctive and easily identifiable species among hummingbirds.

Female Costa’s hummingbirds:
The female Costa’s hummingbird presents a more subdued appearance compared to the strikingly vibrant males. Lacking the iridescent feathers that characterize their male counterparts, female Costa’s hummingbirds display a more understated coloration. 

Their grayish-light-green back is a muted hue that blends easily with the environment. This coloring provides excellent camouflage, especially in the bird’s natural habitats. 

The underbelly is a dusty white, further contributing to their less conspicuous appearance. This contrast between the slightly darker back and the lighter underbelly, while subtle, still offers a distinctive look within the species. 

The absence of the bright colors and iridescent feathers found in males is a common trait in many bird species, where females often have more subdued coloration, possibly as an evolutionary adaptation for better concealment while nesting and raising young.
See my article: Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)

Female Costa’s hummingbirds migrate north from Mexico to breed in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah.

Being a desert-dwelling species, Costa’s hummingbirds nest in open spaces with little vegetation. It has been observed that they build their nests on cacti. Predators that might try to consume the eggs or nestlings are discouraged from doing so by the plant’s thorns.
Read my article: 10 Common Things That Kill Hummingbirds

Juvenile Costa’s hummingbirds:
Both male and female juvenile Costa’s hummingbirds look more like adult females until they are differentiated as the male begins to acquire the iridescent feathers that are typical for males of this species of hummingbird. 

Baby Costa’s hummingbirds:
Baby Costa’s hummingbirds are easily identified by their undertail coverts, which are white fluffy feathers near their bottom that will disappear as they age.
See my article: Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

Hear the sounds of the Costa’s hummingbird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology link).

Very little is known about Costa’s hummingbirds and their short migratory habits in comparison to other hummingbird species.

Costa’s hummingbirds are primarily found in arid and semi-arid environments, including deserts, scrublands, and chaparral regions. 

Living in dry habitats, Costa’s hummingbirds have developed adaptations to survive in these conditions. They are efficient in their water usage and can tolerate higher temperatures than many other bird species.

Their choice of flowering plants also reflects their adaptation to their environment, often favoring those that thrive in arid conditions.

They are native to the southwestern United States and Baja California in Mexico, often found in areas with abundant flowering plants which are crucial for their survival.

In terms of social behavior, Costa’s 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?

Although Costa’s hummingbirds will defend nectar sources amongst themselves, they are subordinate to larger hummingbirds and will defer to them if challenged. 

The Costa’s hummingbird is a partially migratory species. During the winter, birds in the northern portion of their range—especially those found in the United States—usually migrate southward to warmer climes. People in the southern portion of their range, particularly in Mexico, are frequently non-migratory.

The biggest danger facing Costa’s hummingbirds is human encroachment, which takes the shape of plowed desert areas cleared for habitation and grazing.

Costa’s hummingbirds are known to interbreed or cross-breed, producing hybrids between Anna’s, Black-chinned, Blue-throated, Broad-tailed, and Calliope hummingbirds.

The oldest known female Costa’s hummingbird lived for 8 years and 9 months after being caught and released twice during a banding operation in California in 2001 and 2009.
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 an extremely rare/accidental visitor to Montana. 

Sightings map document the Mexican-Violetear hummingbird to have one documented Montana sighting in the Crow Reservation.

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:
The vivid violet patch of feathers that stands out on the sides of this hummingbird’s head burst with color, against the bird’s otherwise  iridescent green plumage. 
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.

Baby Mexican Violetear Hummingbirds:
Baby Mexican Violetear hummingbirds are easily identified by their undertail coverts, which are white fluffy feathers near their bottom that will disappear as they age.
See my article: Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

Hear the sounds of the Mexican Violetear hummingbird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology link).

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.  

Although Mexican Violetear hummingbirds are typically permanent residents of their natural habitat, a few individuals have strayed and ventured as far north as Wisconsin, Michigan, and even Canada. 

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

See my article: Hummingbird Migration in Montana

Happy Hummingbird Watching!