Hummingbirds

Compared with the tropics, relatively few species of hummingbirds breed in North America. By far the most widespread and common species is the ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris). This hummingbird occurs over most of eastern and central North America south of the boreal forest, and is the only species in the east. This species can be fairly common around gardens and other disturbed habitats where wildflowers are abundant, especially red-colored flowers, as is the case of most hummingbirds. The ruby-throated hummingbird is a migratory species, which spends the winter from the southern tip of Florida to Central America.

Many other species of hummingbirds occur in southwestern North America. The most common and widespread of these species are the broad-tailed hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus), rufous hummingbird (S. rufus), Anna's hummingbird (Calypte anna), and black-chinned hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri). Several other species also occur in more southwestern parts of the United States, some of them barely penetrating north from Mexico.