Quick answer: More than a dozen hummingbird species regularly summer in the US and Canada, but only four have breeding ranges wide enough to cover most of the continental US: the Ruby-throated Hummingbird (East), Black-chinned Hummingbird (widespread West), Anna's Hummingbird (Pacific Coast, year-round), and Rufous Hummingbird (Pacific Northwest to Alaska, the widest-ranging migrant). The Desert Southwest — especially southern Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas — hosts by far the greatest diversity, with species like Broad-billed, Costa's, and Buff-bellied Hummingbirds regularly joining the mix.

Identifying hummingbirds comes down to a few key clues: range and season (the single most useful filter), the male's gorget (throat patch) color, body coloration, and size. Females and immature birds are often much harder to distinguish between species than adult males, so range and timing matter even more when you can't rely on a bright throat patch. Here's a guide to the species you're most likely to see at a feeder, organized by where you'll find them.

Eastern US

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird:

Range: The only hummingbird that breeds east of the Mississippi River, found throughout the eastern US and southern Canada in summer. Identification: Males have a brilliant ruby-red gorget that flashes in direct light but can look black in shadow, an emerald-green back, and a dark forked tail. Females lack the red throat, showing white underparts and a green back instead. Migration: Travels to Central America for winter, with some individuals making a nonstop 500-mile crossing of the Gulf of Mexico.

Pacific Coast

Anna's Hummingbird: 

Range: Year-round resident along the Pacific Coast from British Columbia to Baja California — one of the only hummingbirds most people in this region will see in winter. Identification: Males have an iridescent rose-pink crown and throat (unlike most species, where the color is confined to the throat alone), with a metallic green back. Females have a green back and paler underside, sometimes with a small patch of pink on the throat. Notable behavior: Males perform dramatic courtship dives, climbing high into the air before diving at speeds exceeding 60 mph.

Widespread Western Species

Black-Chinned Hummingbird

Range: One of the most adaptable North American species, found from southern British Columbia to northern Mexico, across deserts, mountain forests, and even urban parks. Identification: Males show a velvety black throat with a thin band of iridescent purple at the base, often appearing entirely black except in direct light. Females have a plain, pale throat.

Rufous Hummingbird

Range: Breeds from the Pacific Northwest up into Alaska — the widest-ranging western species, and the record-holder for longest hummingbird migration relative to body size. Identification: Males are a brilliant orange-rufous overall with a fiery red-orange gorget. Known as the most aggressive hummingbird species, a single Rufous will readily defend a feeder against birds twice its size.

Calliope Hummingbird

Range: Breeds in mountain meadows of the Pacific Northwest and Rockies, wintering in Mexico. Identification: North America's smallest hummingbird species, at about 3 inches long and roughly 2.5 grams — lighter than a penny. Males have a distinctive throat pattern of separate magenta-red streaks radiating outward, rather than one solid gorget.

Desert Southwest Specialties

If you're in southern Arizona, New Mexico, or Texas, the list of species you might see nearly doubles — this region is widely considered the hummingbird hotspot of the US.

Broad-Billed Hummingbird

Identification: A bright red bill with a dark tip is the standout feature — unusual among North American hummingbirds, most of which have all-dark bills. Males show a rich blue-green throat and chest.

Costa's Hummingbird

Range: Found across the arid landscapes and desert scrub of the Southwest. Identification: Males have a deep violet-purple crown and throat that extends into elongated points along the sides — distinctive even among the region's many colorful species.

Buff-Bellied Hummingbird

Range: Occurs mainly along the Gulf Coast, breeding in southern Texas and ranging into eastern Mexico. Identification: A red bill with a dark tip, bronze-green upperparts, and a buff-colored belly.

Broad-Tailed Hummingbird

Range: Mountainous regions of the western US, particularly high-elevation meadows. Identification: Males produce a distinctive metallic wing trill audible in flight — often the first clue to their presence before you spot the bird itself.

Quick Reference

Key Takeaways

• Range and season are the most reliable identification tools — a breeding-season hummingbird in the eastern US is almost certainly a Ruby-throated.
• Four species (Ruby-throated, Black-chinned, Anna's, Rufous) cover the majority of the continental US between them.
• The Desert Southwest hosts by far the greatest diversity, with several specialty species rarely seen elsewhere in the country.
• Male gorget (throat patch) color is the most useful visual field mark, but it's iridescent and can look black without direct light hitting it.
• Females and immature birds are often difficult or impossible to distinguish between similar species — lean on range and timing when the throat isn't a reliable clue.

FAQ

What's the most common hummingbird in the US? It depends on region: Ruby-throated Hummingbirds dominate the East, Anna's and Allen's are common along the Pacific Coast, and Black-chinned and Rufous cover much of the rest of the West.

How can I tell hummingbird species apart? Start with range and season, since that narrows the possibilities significantly. Then look at the male's gorget (throat patch) color, overall body coloration, and size — keeping in mind gorget color is iridescent and can appear black without direct light.

Which hummingbird species doesn't migrate? Anna's Hummingbird is a year-round resident along the Pacific Coast and, unlike most North American species, doesn't migrate south for winter.

Where can I see the most hummingbird species in the US? Southern Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas host the greatest diversity, with specialty species like Broad-billed, Costa's, and Buff-bellied Hummingbirds joining the more widespread species found there.

Which hummingbird is the smallest? The Calliope Hummingbird, at about 3 inches long and roughly 2.5 grams, is North America's smallest hummingbird species.

Summary

More than a dozen hummingbird species regularly visit the US, but identification usually comes down to knowing your region: Ruby-throated in the East, Anna's and Allen's along the Pacific Coast, Black-chinned and Rufous across much of the rest of the West, and a cluster of desert specialties in the Southwest borderlands. Range and timing narrow things down fast; gorget color and body pattern do the rest, especially for adult males.

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