South Carolina Hummingbirds: 9 Awesome Documented Species

This article identifies and describes South Carolina hummingbirds, where in South Carolina they are seen, and whether they are year-round, seasonal, or rare vagrant residents.

Which Species Of South Carolina Hummingbirds Are Found In The State?

There are nine species of hummingbirds documented as seen in South Carolina.
Documented South Carolina hummingbirds, listed in order of frequency seen are Ruby-throated, Rufous, Black-chinned, Buff-bellied, Calliope, Anna’s, Broad-billed, Allen’s, and Broad-tailed hummingbirds.

Top Google-ranked websites recognize one additional hummingbird, the Blue-throated Mountain-Gem, as a South Carolina hummingbird, despite the fact that it is not one of the nine species documented as being seen in South Carolina on a national hummingbird sighting map.

Sighting Maps:

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

• Ruby-throated (Archilochus colubris)
• Rufous (Selasphorus rufus)
• Black-chinned (Archilochus alexandri)
• Buff-bellied (Amazilia yucatanensis)
• Calliope (Selasphorus calliope)
• Anna’s (Calypte anna)
• Broad-billed (Cynanthus latirostris)
• Allen’s (Selasphorus sasin)
• Broad-tailed (Selasphorus platycercus)

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

Listed In The Order Of Frequency Seen:

Hummingbirds:	Year-Round, Seasonal, Rare/Vagrant
Ruby-throated	Seasonal
Rufous	Rare/Vagrant
Black-chinned	Rare/Vagrant
Buff-bellied	Rare/Vagrant
Calliope	Rare/Vagrant
Anna’s	Rare/Vagrant
Broad-billed	Rare/Vagrant
Allen’s	Rare/Vagrant
Broad-tailed	Rare/Vagrant
Blue-throated	Rare/Vagrant

The first migrating hummingbirds arrive in South Carolina in Late-February and the last migrating hummingbirds are usually gone by mid-to-late October.

For more information on South Carolina hummingbirds:
Read my article: South Carolina 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 South Carolina.

South Carolina Hummingbirds That Are Year-Round Residents

This hummingbird classification is defined as year-round residents residing in Oklahoma 365 days a year.
There are no hummingbirds classified as year-round residents in South Carolina; however, there are hummingbirds that are seen in South Carolina during the winter months.

Contrary to popular belief, hummingbirds can withstand far lower temperatures than most people would expect.
Some Ruby-throated, Rufous, Black-chinned, Buff-bellied, and Calliope hummingbirds can choose to overwinter in the state of South Carolina instead of migrating south.

Some banded hummingbirds have been observed at temperatures as low as -9 degrees Fahrenheit with a wind chill of -36 degrees Fahrenheit, according to eBird.org.

See my article:
3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

South Carolina Hummingbirds That Are Seasonal

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

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

The only classified seasonal hummingbird in South Carolina is the:

• Ruby-throated

Due to their preference, an ailment, or advanced age, certain seasonal hummingbirds may spend the whole winter in the state.

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

To see a current sighting map of
South Carolina seasonal hummingbirds,
click the links below:

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 the most commonly seen hummingbird in South Carolina.

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.

Female
Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds:

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

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

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

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

Juvenile
Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds:

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

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

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

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

Note: This juvenile Ruby-throated hummingbird is struggling with a bee or wasp situation at the feeder.
See my article:
Bees On My Hummingbird Feeder: (9 Tips To Get Rid of Them)

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)

Note: 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 South Carolina’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 Columbia, South Carolina, to Panama City, Panama, is 1,724 miles.

The second land migration path is 3,912 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 South Carolina

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

Some South Carolina hummingbird enthusiasts leave their hummingbird feeders up throughout the winter to supply life-sustaining nectar to migratory species that are unable to travel due to injury or old age, as well as hummingbirds that choose to spend the winter in South Carolina.

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

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

South Carolina 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 9 classified Rare/Vagrant hummingbirds listed in order of frequency seen in South Carolina are:

• Rufous
• Black-chinned
• Buff-bellied
• Calliope
• Anna’s
• Broad-billed
• Allen’s
• Broad-tailed
• Blue-throated Mt-Gem

Top Google-ranked websites recognize one additional hummingbird, the Blue-throated Mountain-Gem, as a South Carolina hummingbird, despite the fact that it is not one of the nine species documented as being seen in South Carolina on a national hummingbird sighting map.

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

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 South Carolina, 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.

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)

Juvenile
Rufous Hummingbirds:

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

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

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

Baby
Rufous Hummingbirds:

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

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

To see the current sighting map of Rufous hummingbirds in South Carolina, 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.

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.

Read my article:
3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

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

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

When it comes to other hummingbirds and animals, Rufous hummingbirds are fiercely possessive and hostile. They are known for being aggressive and bold, driving large birds and rodents away from their favorite feeders in addition to other hummingbirds.

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

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

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

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

In British Columbia, during a banding operation, the oldest living Rufous hummingbird was documented at 8 years and 10 months old.

Read 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 South Carolina.

Although rare, some Black-chinned hummingbirds are seen overwintering in South Carolina.

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

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.

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)

To see the current sighting map of the Black-chinned hummingbird in South Carolina, click the link.

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. 

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.

Read 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.

Read my article:
3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

Buff-Bellied Hummingbirds: Sightings Map

BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD – (Amazilia yucatanensis)

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

Buff-bellied hummingbirds are primarily found in Mexico and Central America.
They have also been frequently observed along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico in the southern United States, which includes Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.

The scientific name for the Buff-bellied hummingbird is Amazilia yucatanensis. This bird species got its common name from its distinctive buff-colored belly.
The word “buff” in this context refers to a light yellowish-brown color, which is a notable feature of this bird’s plumage.

The combination of its unique buff-colored belly and its hummingbird characteristics led to the straightforward naming of this species as the Buff-bellied hummingbird.

Male
Buff-Bellied Hummingbirds:

Male Buff-bellied hummingbirds have a turquoise-colored, blue-grey gorget. Their distinctive features include a rusty brownish gold forked tail and a shiny, iridescent bronze olive green back.
Under certain lights, their dark brown wings might seem black. They have a chestnut-colored underside and a reddish-orange bill with a black tip.

They have a medium build, measuring between 3.9 and 4.3 inches in length and weighing between 4-5 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
Buff-Bellied Hummingbirds:

Compared to their male counterparts, female buff-bellied hummingbirds tend to be less colorful and dull-looking, typically lacking iridescent feathers.
Instead, her throat appears more plain or faintly spotted.This difference helps her blend into her surroundings, especially during nesting.

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

Juvenile
Buff-Bellied Hummingbirds:

Male and female juvenile Buff-bellied hummingbirds initially resemble adult females until the male starts to develop the iridescent feathers that are characteristic of this species of hummingbird.
Their throats are pale with faint streaks, while their chest and back show dull green transitioning to a buff belly. Their rufous tails are less vibrant, and their reddish-orange bills may appear less distinct. 

Juveniles lack the iridescent gorget of adult males. As they mature, they molt into adult plumage, with males gaining vivid colors and a shimmering gorget.

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
Buff-Bellied Hummingbirds:

Baby buff-bellied hummingbirds hatch blind, featherless, and dependent on their mother. Their pinkish skin is covered in sparse gray down, and their eyes open after a few days. As they grow, down thickens, followed by pin feathers that develop into juvenile plumage. 

Their short, dark bills gradually turn reddish-orange. Nestled in a tiny, silk-lined nest, they are fed regurgitated nectar and insects by the mother. After 18–22 days, they gain strength and prepare for their first flight.

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

To see the current sighting map of South Carolina’s Buff-bellied hummingbirds, click the link.

Hear the sounds of the Buff-bellied hummingbird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology link).

Buff-bellied hummingbirds inhabit a range of environments including open woodlands, edges of forests, gardens and coastal scrub areas.

Some populations of Buff-bellied hummingbirds are partially migratory, moving northward along the Gulf Coast during the breeding season and returning south in the winter.
They are uncommon when seen overwintering in the state.

Male Buff-bellied hummingbirds engage in courtship displays, which include a variety of flashy flights and vocalizations, to entice females during mating season. 

According to Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Buff-bellied hummingbirds prefer to nest in large shrubs or deciduous trees such as Anacahuita, Ebony, Hackberry (the cousin to the American elm), Texas Ebony, and sometimes Willows.
These plants have dense foliage and forgiving tree branches useful for building a nest.

Buff-bellied hummingbirds crossbreed with Berylline and Rufous hummingbirds.

In Texas, a capture and release banding operation resulted in the oldest male Buff-bellied hummingbird ever reported to be 11 years and 2 months old.
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 rare in South Carolina.

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

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.

Juvenile
Calliope Hummingbirds:

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

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

Baby
Calliope Hummingbirds:

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

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

To see the current sighting map of the Calliope hummingbird in South Carolina, 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

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

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. 

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

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 an extremely rare visitor to South Carolina 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

Female
Anna’s Hummingbirds:

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

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

Juvenile
Anna’s Hummingbirds:

Juvenile Anna’s hummingbirds, both male and female, look more like adult females until they are differentiated as the male begins to acquire the bright red/magenta gorget.
Their green backs are muted, underparts are pale gray, and bills are shorter. They explore feeders and flowers as they learn to forage.

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

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 South Carolina’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

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 South Carolina’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

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.

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 South Carolina’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?

Surprisingly, the Broad-billed hummingbird’s population has grown in recent years, in contrast to other hummingbird species. Its future relies on habitat conservation and understanding environmental impacts.

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.

Read my article:
3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

Allen’s Hummingbirds: Sightings Map

ALLEN’S HUMMINGBIRD – (Selasphorus sasin)

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

Allen’s hummingbirds commonly reside and nest along the West Coast of the United States and winter in Mexico, therefore they are an extremely rare migratory visitors to South Carolina.

The scientific name of the Allen’s hummingbird is Selasphorus sasin.
The common name of the Allen’s hummingbird is in commemoration of Charles Andrew Allen (1841-1930), an American collector and taxidermist.

Male
Allen’s Hummingbirds: 

Male Allen’s hummingbirds are green-backed with a green forehead and rust-colored flanks, rump, and tail. When their tail feathers are fanned out you can see their chocolate-colored tips. 

The gorget of the male Allen’s hummingbird is an iridescent orange-red, however, in darker lighting, it can appear chocolate brown.
Allen’s hummingbirds are 3.3 inches to 3.5 inches in length and weigh 2-4 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

Female
Allen’s Hummingbirds:

The female Allen’s hummingbird is less colorful than the male because it lacks the iridescent gorget.
They are small, green-backed birds with pale or faint speckled throats, buffy sides and flanks, and reddish-orange tails tipped with dark edges.

In the wild, confusion may arise because certain females have stippling or color specs along their throat lines that resemble juvenile characteristics.

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

Juvenile
Allen’s Hummingbirds:

Both male and female juvenile Allen’s hummingbirds first resemble adult females until the male starts to develop the characteristic iridescent feathers of this species of hummingbird. 

Juvenile Allen’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.

In the field, they are nearly identical to Rufous hummingbirds due to their striking similarity in colors and disposition.
Therefore, range rather than appearance is used to establish identity. 

Note: This juvenile male Allen’s hummingbird is protecting a feeder while perching on a tomato cage.

You will see that he still has some stippling around his throat and some fluffy white down feathers near his bottom.

He appears to be in the early stages of adolescence because a full gorget has not yet developed. 

Baby
Allen’s Hummingbirds:

Baby Allen’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 South Carolina’s Allen’s hummingbirds, click the link.

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

Male Allen’s hummingbirds engage in a dramatic, fast-paced courtship dance that mimics a pendulum’s swing. Of all the hummingbirds in North America, their territorial dive displays are among the most intricate.

Read my article:
Hummingbird Dance: 5 Interpretive Explanations

Allen’s hummingbirds are highly territorial, especially the males during the breeding season. They engage in aggressive aerial displays to defend their feeding territories from intruders. These displays include high-speed chases and intricate flight patterns.

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

Allen’s hummingbirds commonly reside and nest along the west coast and winter in Mexico. Their nesting season is perfectly timed with when the regions have the most rainfall which helps provide prolific nectar producing flowers for their offspring.

Allen’s hummingbirds face habitat loss and pesticide risks.
Conservation efforts, such as preserving natural areas, responsible gardening, and maintaining hummingbird feeders, help to protect their future.

In 2004, and again in 2009, the oldest known living Allen’s hummingbird was taken during a California banding program that involved catch and release. She was 5 years and 11 months old at the time.

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 South Carolina.

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

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)

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 South Carolina’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.

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.

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

Blue-Throated Mountain-Gem Hummingbirds: Sightings Map

Top Google-ranked websites recognize one additional hummingbird, the Blue-throated Mountain- Gem, as a South Carolina hummingbird, despite the fact it is not documented as being seen in South Carolina on a national hummingbird sighting map.

BLUE-THROATED MOUNTAIN-GEM HUMMINGBIRD
aka BLUE-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD – (Lampornis clemenciae)

Conservation Status: Least concerned
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Lampornis
Species: L. clemenciae

The Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbird primarily resides in Mexico and Central America. Their range extends into parts of Guatemala and Honduras. 

Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbirds are also seen in the southwestern United States in clusters along the southern border near Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, particularly in mountainous areas with pine-oak forests or riparian woodlands.

Prior to 2019, it was called the Blue-throated hummingbird but was renamed to highlight its membership in the Lampornis genus. This name change emphasizes its distinct identity and connection to related species within its genus.

Male
Blue-Throated Mountain-Gem Hummingbirds:

Male Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbirds are distinguished by their vivid iridescent cobalt blue throat patch (gorget), which shimmers in sunlight and a prominent white stripe above the eye.

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

His tail tips are painted white, and his wings and tail are also dark. The entire body of the Blue-throated Mountain-gem is drab greenish-gray, with additional patches of grayish-emerald green on the head, neck, and upper portion of the shoulder where the wing connects.

They weigh between 8.1 and 8.6 grams and have a length of 4.3 to 4.7 inches.

Female
Blue-Throated Mountain-Gem Hummingbirds:

Compared to their male counterparts, female Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbirds have duller appearances and lack the characteristic blue throat gorget feathers, showing instead a plain grayish throat.
They have greenish-bronze backs, grayish underparts and a double white stripe above the eye.

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

Juvenile
Blue-Throated Mountain-Gem Hummingbirds:

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

Juvenile Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbirds exhibit behaviors typical of learning and gaining independence. They spend more time observing and learning from adult birds, gradually developing their foraging and flight skills. 

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
Blue-Throated Mountain-Gem Hummingbirds:

Baby Blue-Throated Mountain-Gem hummingbirds are tiny and born blind and featherless, measuring less than an inch long. Their translucent skin shows underlying veins, and their beaks are short and undeveloped. 

Dependent on their mother, they are fed regurgitated nectar and insects for growth. Soft downy feathers emerge within days, and their eyes open after about a week. The mother protects and nurtures them until they fledge, typically around 3 weeks after hatching.

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

To see the current sighting map of South Carolina’s Blue-throated Mountain-Gem hummingbirds, click the link.

Hear the sounds of the Blue-throated Mountain-Gem hummingbird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology link).

One of the bigger hummingbird species in North America, the Cornell Lab reports that Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbirds weigh three times as much as Ruby-throated hummingbirds.

Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbirds have the slowest reported wingbeat rate of any known hummingbird, in part due to their size.
A hummingbird with a longer wingspan can flap its wings in a figure-eight pattern far more forcefully than a smaller, more delicate hummingbird. 

Most North American hummingbirds perform courtship aerial displays to attract mates, with the exception of the male Blue-throated Mountain-gem.
Instead, females signal selection and readiness for copulation with calls and short flights.

Like most hummingbirds, Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbirds are territorial with their food sources.
Because of their size, which requires them to consume a lot of insects for sustenance, they devour more insects than any other species of hummingbird.

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

Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbirds hybridize with other hummingbird species such as the Rivoli’s, Anna’s, Black-chinned, and Costa’s.

The oldest male Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbird known to science is 7 years and 11 months old. He was captured and released during an Arizona banding operation.

See my article:
3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

Which South Carolina Hummingbirds Are Most Frequently Seen In The State?

The most frequently seen South Carolina hummingbirds are the Ruby-throated hummingbirds. They represent 99% of all hummingbirds seen in South Carolina.

South Carolina hummingbirds listed in order of frequency seen:

Ruby-throated Hummingbird: 99% of all hummingbirds seen in South Carolina are Ruby-throated hummingbirds.
Out of 10,000 South Carolina hummingbirds seen, 9,896 will be Ruby-throated hummingbirds.

Rufous Hummingbird: 0.63% of all hummingbirds seen in South Carolina are Rufous hummingbirds.
Out of 10,000 South Carolina hummingbirds seen, only 63 will be Rufous hummingbirds.

Black-chinned Hummingbird: 0.27% of all hummingbirds seen in South Carolina are Black-chinned hummingbirds.
Out of 10,000 South Carolina hummingbirds seen, only 26 will be Black-chinned hummingbirds.

Buff-bellied Hummingbird: 0.07% of all hummingbirds seen in South Carolina are Buff-bellied hummingbirds.
Out of 10,000 South Carolina hummingbirds seen, only 7 will be Buff-bellied hummingbirds.

Calliope Hummingbird: 0.04% of all hummingbirds seen in South Carolina are Calliope hummingbirds.
Out of 10,000 South Carolina hummingbirds seen, only 4 will be Calliope hummingbirds.

Anna’s Hummingbird: 0.01% of all hummingbirds seen in South Carolina are Anna’s hummingbirds.
Out of 10,000 South Carolina hummingbirds seen, only 1 will be Anna’s hummingbird.

Broad-billed Hummingbird: 0.01% of all hummingbirds seen in South Carolina are Broad-billed hummingbirds.
Out of 10,000 South Carolina hummingbirds seen, only 1 will be Broad-billed hummingbird.

Allen’s Hummingbird: Out of 20,000 South Carolina hummingbirds seen, only 1 will be an Allen’s hummingbird.

Broad-tailed Hummingbird: Out of 60,000 South Carolina hummingbirds seen, only 1 will be a Broad-tailed hummingbird.

Blue-throated Mountain-gem Hummingbird: There are no sightings of the Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbird on eBird,org sighting map, however, a top-ranked Google site lists the Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbird as a South Carolina hummingbird.

Where In The State Are South Carolina Hummingbirds Seen?

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

Click the link below to see the current sighting map of where
South Carolina hummingbirds are being seen (eBird.org links)

• Ruby-throated Hummingbird: This is where, in South Carolina, current sightings of this hummingbird are being reported.
• Rufous Hummingbird: This is where, in South Carolina, current sightings of this hummingbird are being reported.
• Black-chinned Hummingbird: This is where, in South Carolina, current sightings of this hummingbird are being reported.
• Buff-bellied Hummingbird: This is where, in South Carolina, current sightings of this hummingbird are being reported.
• Calliope Hummingbird: This is where, in South Carolina, current sightings of this hummingbird are being reported.
• Anna’s Hummingbird: This is where, in South Carolina, current sightings of this hummingbird are being reported.
• Broad-billed Hummingbird: This is where, in South Carolina, current sightings of this hummingbird are being reported.
• Allen’s Hummingbird: This is where, in South Carolina, current sightings of this hummingbird are being reported.
• Broad-tailed Hummingbird: This is where, in South Carolina, current sightings of this hummingbird are being reported.
• Blue-throated Mountain-gem Hummingbird: This is where, in South Carolina, current sightings of this hummingbird are being reported.

Check out my other posts on Hummingbird Questions

Happy Hummingbird Watching!