Nebraska Hummingbirds: 8 Awesome Documented Species

This article identifies all hummingbirds documented as seen in Nebraska and where they are seen in the state. It further identifies if that specific hummingbird species is a year-round resident, a seasonal visitor, or a rare vagrant Nebraska hummingbird.

Which Species Of Nebraska Hummingbirds Are Found In The State?

Ruby-throated, Rufous, Broad-tailed, Calliope, Black-chinned, Anna’s, Costa’s, and Broad-billed hummingbirds are the 8 species of hummingbirds documented as seen in Nebraska and listed in order of frequency seen.

Sighting Maps:

These 8 species of hummingbirds are documented as being seen in Nebraska by sighting maps, listed in the order of frequently seen:
(click links to see sighting map)

These 8 hummingbird species found in Nebraska are further classified into three groups:
Year-round residents, Seasonal visitors, and Rare/Vagrant visitors.

Hummingbird:Year-Round, Seasonal, Rare/Vagrant
Ruby-throatedSeasonal
RufousRare/Vagrant
Broad-tailedRare/Vagrant
CalliopeRare/Vagrant
Black-chinnedRare/Vagrant
Anna’sRare/Vagrant
Costa’sRare/Vagrant
Broad-billedRare/Vagrant
Year-round, Seasonal, Rare/Vagrant

For more information on Nebraska hummingbirds:
Read my article:
Nebraska Hummingbird Migration

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

There are no hummingbirds classified as year-round residents in Nebraska.
This hummingbird classification is defined as year-round residents residing in Nebraska 365 days a year.

Feeders are left up all winter by some Nebraska enthusiasts to feed hummingbirds that are too old or injured to migrate.

The Ruby-throated hummingbird is the only classified seasonal Nebraska hummingbird.

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

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

Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds: Sightings Map

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 most commonly seen in Nebraska.

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. 

Male Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
Photo by: Paula Leftwich

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.

According to USDA of Nebraska, Ruby-throated hummingbirds breed and nest in Nebraska.
They are 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)

Female Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
Photo by: Dgen.photos

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:

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.

Juvenile Male Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
Photo by: Dgen.photos

Note: The throat feathers are slowly coming in, displaying a few dots of color near the neckline and showing the first stages of adolescence.

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)

Ruby-Throated Fledgling
Photo by: Rekha Pawar

Note: The down feathers near the baby’s bottom are newly white and fluffy.

Observe the great fat reserves they have amassed from the feedings of their devoted mother’s, which will help them get through puberty.

To see the current sighting map of Nebraska’s Ruby-throated hummingbirds, click the link.

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.
The total direct flight from Omaha, Nebraska to Panama City, Panama is 2,439 miles.

The second land migration path is 3,959 miles 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 Nebraska

The majority of people are unaware of how tolerant hummingbirds are of chilly weather.

According to eBird.org, through branding practices in Wisconsin, the Ruby-throated and Rufous hummingbirds have been documented surviving in temperatures of -9F and wind chills of -36F.

Read my article:
3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

Although, Ruby-throated hummingbirds migrate south for the winter, feeders are left up all winter by some Nebraska enthusiasts to feed hummingbirds that are too old or injured to migrate.

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

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

Rufous, Broad-tailed, Calliope, Black-chinned, Anna’s, Costa’s, and Broad-billed hummingbirds are the 7 Nebraska hummingbirds classified as rare or vagrant hummingbirds, in order of frequently seen.

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.

Rufous Hummingbirds: Sightings Map

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.

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

Rufous hummingbirds acquire their name from the Latin word rubrum which means “red” describing its reddish-brown coloring.

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.

Male Rufous Hummingbird
Photo by: Kevin Walsh

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.

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

Adult Female Rufous Hummingbird
Photo by: Bob Free

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.

Juvenile Male Rufous Hummingbird
Photo by: Rekha Pawar

Note: The throat feathers are slowly coming in, displaying a few dots of color near his neckline and showing the first stages of adolescence. 

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)

To see the current sighting map of Rufous hummingbirds in Nebraska, click the link.

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.

A large number of Rufous hummingbirds will choose to move south to Mexico rather than stay in Nebraska 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

Many Nebraska hummingbird admirers leave hummingbird feeders up all winter long to provide life-nourishing 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?

Adult Male Rufous Hummingbird
Photo by: Bob Free

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

Broad-Tailed Hummingbirds: Sightings Map

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 rare/vagrant hummingbird to Nebraska

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:

The male Broad-tailed hummingbird is brightly colored with a metallic green back, a vibrant iridescent rosy-red throat (gorget), vivid white eye rings, a grayish-white belly, and a widely rounded tail.
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

Male Broad-Tailed Hummingbird
Photo by: bird.whisperer

Female
Broad-Tailed Hummingbirds:

The female Broad-tailed hummingbird is less colorful than the male with vivid white eye rings and lacks a gorget and iridescent feathers.
They have green backs that extend from the head to the tail, a pale throat with some spotting, and a buffy or grayish belly.

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

Female Broad-Tailed Hummingbird
Photo by: hummingbirdsbysuprise

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.

Juvenile Broad-tailed 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.

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
Broad-Tailed Hummingbirds:

Baby Broad-tailed  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)

To see the current sighting map of Nebraska’s Broad-tailed hummingbirds, click the link.

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. 

However, according to ebird.org the Broad-tailed has a very rare documented breeding sighting in the southwest quarter of Nebraska, close to the Wyoming border.

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.

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

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.

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

Calliope Hummingbirds: Sightings Map

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 Nebraska.

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

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

Adult Male Calliope Hummingbird
Photo by: Bob Free

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.

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

Female Calliope Hummingbird
Photo by: sony_alpha_male

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.

Juvenile Male Calliope Hummingbird
Photo by: sony_alpha_male

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)

To see the current sighting map of the Calliope hummingbird in Nebraska, click the link.

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

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. 

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

Black-Chinned Hummingbirds: Sightings Map

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 Nebraska.
They are a migratory bird that travels south to Mexico for the winter.

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. 

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

Male-Black-Chinned-ID
Male Black-Chinned Hummingbird
Photo by: sony_alpha_male

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)

Female Black-Chinned Hummingbird
Photo by: hummingbirdsbysurpise

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)

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

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

Anna’s Hummingbirds: Sightings Map

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

The 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

Adult Male Anna’s Hummingbird
Photo by: Kevin Walsh

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)

Female Anna’s Hummingbird
Photo by: IntheWildwithRick

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.

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
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)

To see the current sighting map of Nebraska’s Anna’s hummingbirds, click the link.

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

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

Costa’s Hummingbirds: Sightings Map

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 Nebraska.

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, vibrant bird with a bright reddish-purple cap covering its head feathers and a matching gorget around its throat, making it easily recognizable.

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

The male Costa’s hummingbird contrasts its vivid head and throat with a subdued body. Its light greenish-gray underbelly balances its brilliance, while its green back and flanks blend into natural habitats. Measuring 3 to 3.5 inches and weighing just 2 to 3 grams, it remains a small yet striking bird.

Male Costa’s Hummingbird
Photo by: bird.whisperer

Female
Costa’s Hummingbirds:

The female Costa’s hummingbird has a subdued look, lacking the iridescence of males. With a dusty white underbelly and a grayish-light-green back, its muted hues blend into the environment, offering excellent camouflage—an evolutionary advantage for nesting and raising young in its natural habitat.

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

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

Female Costa’s Hummingbird
Photo By: Aaron Gomperts

Juvenile
Costa’s Hummingbirds:

Juvenile Costa’s hummingbirds resemble adult females. They have greenish-gray backs, pale gray underparts, and may show faint throat streaks. 

As they mature and molt into their adult plumage, juvenile Costa’s develop the full iridescent throat patch (gorget) in males, or retain the subtler tones in females.

Their fluffy white undertail coverts become more noticeable.These feathers are a distinguishing feature and are often more prominent due to their soft texture.

Baby
Costa’s Hummingbirds:

Baby Costa’s hummingbirds are tiny, naked, and completely dependent on their mother. At birth, they have closed eyes, bare pink skin, and no feathers. They are nurtured in a small, camouflaged nest made of plant fibers and spider silk. 

Over 2–3 weeks, they develop downy feathers, open their eyes, and grow stronger. The mother feeds them a mix of nectar and insects, providing the energy needed for their rapid growth before fledging.

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

To see the current sighting map of Nebraska’s Costa’s hummingbirds, click the link.

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

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.

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?

Male and Female Costa’s Hummingbirds
Photo by: hummingbirdsbysuprise

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.

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

Broad-Billed Hummingbirds: Sightings Map

BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD –
(Cynanthus latirostris)

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

Broad-billed hummingbirds are native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, and down into Central America.
They travel frequently to the United States close to the southern Mexican border.

Due to Nebraska’s location in the eastern United States, Broad-billed hummingbirds are extremely rare.

The Broad-billed hummingbird, scientifically named Cynanthus latirostris, is known for its distinctive broad bill, which is the origin of its common name.
Their broad bills are particularly adapted for feeding on a variety of flowers.

Male
Broad-Billed Hummingbirds:

The brilliant blue-green gorget of male Broad-billed hummingbirds stretches back towards their shoulders. They have a long, brilliant orange-red beak with a distinctive black tip.
Their length varies from 3.25 to 4 inches, and they weigh between 3 and 4 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

Male Broad-billed Hummingbird
Photo by: hummingbirdsbysuprise

Female
Broad-Billed Hummingbirds:

Generally speaking, female Broad-billed hummingbirds lack iridescent feathers and have a duller appearance than males. 

Their bill is entirely black, with a larger white accent over their eyes. They are recognized by their mainly metallic green upperparts and white undersides.
Their tails are forked and have a black tint.

Male and Female Broad-Billed Hummingbirds
Photo by: hummingbirdsbysuprise

Juvenile
Broad-Billed Hummingbirds:

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

Male juveniles display a full charcoal dark gray body, a light green neck and backside with flecks of metallic blue on their throat.

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
Broad-Billed Hummingbirds:

At birth, baby Broad-billed hummingbirds are small, featherless, defenseless, and have closed eyelids. They develop gray down in a matter of days due to their rapid growth. 

By two to three weeks, their plumage begins to show and pin feathers appear. At around three weeks old, they leave the nest, fed by their mother’s regurgitated nectar and insects.

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

To see the current sighting map of Nebraska’s Broad-billed hummingbirds, click the link.

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

Broad-billed hummingbirds prefer habitats such as canyons, riverine woodlands, and sometimes gardens or urban areas with suitable flowering plants.

Nests made by Broad-billed hummingbirds are constructed from a single, long, thin branch and identified by their lack of lichen decoration on the exterior. 

Instead, the birds prefer to build their nests utilizing outside grass fibers, leaf fragments, and bark, and then utilize spider webs to secure and maintain the structure of the nest.

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

Particularly while defending “their” feeders, Broad-billed hummingbirds come across as the meanest sheriff in the community due to their intense territoriality.
They will engage in territorial conflicts to defend nectar sources that are home to blooming plants that attract hummingbirds.

See my article:
Why Hummingbirds Chase Each Other: Is it Friend or Foe?

2 Male Broad-Billed Hummingbirds
Photo by: Anthony Lujan

When the oldest male Broad-billed hummingbird was caught and released in Arizona during a banding operation, he was 9 years and 1 month old.

See my article: 
3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

The most frequently seen Nebraska hummingbird are Ruby-throated hummingbirds.
Rufous hummingbirds are the second most commonly seen, even though there is a vast difference in sighting numbers between the two species.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird: 92.8% of all hummingbirds seen in Nebraska are Ruby-throated hummingbirds.
Out of 10,000 Nebraska hummingbirds seen, 9,281 will be a Ruby-throated hummingbird.

Rufous Hummingbird: 2.30% of all hummingbirds seen in Nebraska are Rufous hummingbirds.
Out of 10,000 Nebraska hummingbirds seen, only 230 will be a Rufous hummingbird.

Broad-tailed Hummingbird: 2.13% of all hummingbirds seen in Nebraska are Broad-tailed hummingbirds.
Out of 10,000 Nebraska hummingbirds seen, only 213 will be a Broad-tailed hummingbird.

Calliope Hummingbird: 1.54% of all hummingbirds seen in Nebraska are Calliope hummingbirds.
Out of 10,000 Nebraska hummingbirds seen, only 154 will be a Calliope hummingbird.

Black-chinned Hummingbird: 0.54% of all hummingbirds seen in Nebraska are Black-chinned hummingbirds.
Out of 10,000 Nebraska hummingbirds seen, only 54 will be a Black-chinned hummingbird.

Anna’s Hummingbird: 0.55% of all hummingbirds seen in Nebraska are Anna’s hummingbirds.
Out of 10,000 Nebraska hummingbirds seen, only 55 will be an Anna’s hummingbird.

Costa’s Hummingbird: 0.11% of all hummingbirds seen in Nebraska are Costa’s hummingbirds.
Out of 10,000 Nebraska hummingbirds seen, only 11 will be a Costa’s hummingbird.

Broad-billed Hummingbird: 0.03% of all hummingbirds seen in Nebraska are Broad-billed hummingbirds.
Out of 10,000 Nebraska hummingbirds seen, only 3 will be a Broad-billed hummingbird.

Hummingbirds are seen in Nebraska throughout the state.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds are seen throughout the entirety of the state, while others are only seen in specific, limited areas of Nebraska.

Read my article:
Nebraska Hummingbird Migration

Check out my other posts on Hummingbird Questions

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