If you’re looking for some beautiful birds to enjoy, you can’t go wrong with hummingbirds. With 8 unique species calling Maryland home, there’s something here for everyone. From the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird to the Black-Chinned Hummingbird, learn about all the different types of hummingbirds in Maryland.
Maryland Region
Maryland is a U.S. state located just north of Washington D.C. and has a variety of hummingbird species that inhabitants can observe in their yards. The region is considered to be part of the temperate eastern region, and it’s here where you can find most of these species.
The Central American species, found in the more southern states, are not present. The hummingbird feeders in this region should have a special nectar recipe designed for the hummingbirds living in Maryland.
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8 Types Of Hummingbirds In Maryland
Here are 8 types of hummers you may find in Maryland:
1. Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds
The most common breed in the mid-Atlantic region, this small bird is bronze-green on its upper parts and white to buffy underneath with a reddish throat patch. It feeds on nectar from flowers and insects and prefers open woodlands, forest margins, and suburban areas. Male ruby-throated hummingbirds and female ruby-throated hummingbirds look almost identical, so you won’t be able to tell the two genders apart.
Physical Characteristics
Ruby-throated hummingbirds have slender, green bodies with iridescent red feathers on their throats. The males are particularly striking as their throats appear like a flash of brilliant red when they catch the sunlight. Females don’t have the same bright red throat feathers, but instead, have white feather tips on their throats which make them appear speckled. Both genders have forked tails and short legs which give them their unique flight capabilities.
2. Rufous Hummingbirds
The Rufous is known for its orange-red throat patch, rusty back and tail feathers, a white collar around the neck, and rounded wings. Found throughout the western US and Canada, these birds migrate in winter to coastal areas of southern California, Mexico, and Texas.
Physical Characteristics
Rufous Hummingbird Scientific name: Selasphorus Rufus is a small but stocky bird with short bills. They have a rufous (reddish-brown) back, crown, and throat feathers that can range from light orange to dark red depending on the angle of the sunlight. The males also have green patches on their sides with white spots surrounding them which make them look speckled from a distance. The females have a white collar around their neck and an indistinct, spotted throat patch.
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3. Black-Chinned Hummingbird
This small bird is native to western North America and has a black chin, green upperparts, pale underside, bright red throat patch, and white tips on its tail feathers. This species prefers open woodlands or forest edges for hummingbird nest sites and often migrates to warmer climates in winter.
Physical Characteristics
Black-chinned hummingbirds are small but stocky birds with short bills. They have a black chin, green upper parts, and pale undersides. The males have brilliant red throats while females have white throat patches with faint streaks of pink or dark gray. Both genders also have white tips on their tail feathers which can be seen when they fly.
4. Anna’s Hummingbird
This medium-sized bird is found in southern California and northern Mexico, but also migrates to warmer climates during the winter months. It has a dark head, green upper parts, and a white underside with red feathers on its throat patch, and tail tips. The nectar feeders in this region should have a special nectar recipe designed for Anna’s Hummingbirds.
Physical Characteristics
Anna’s hummingbirds are medium-sized birds with short bills. They have a dark head, green upper parts, and white undersides with red feathers on their throat patches and at the tips of their tails. Both genders have iridescent throats that can appear bronze or purple depending on the sunlight. The males also have bright orange at the base of their beaks which makes them easy to differentiate from females.
5. Calliope Hummingbird
This is the smallest hummingbird in North America, with a tiny size of only 3-4 inches (7.6-10 cm). Found in the western US and Canada, they have green wings and tail feathers, white breasts and bellies, and a red throat patch. They usually migrate to warmer climates in winter but can be found year-round along the Pacific coast.
Physical Characteristics
Calliope hummingbirds are extremely small birds with short bills. They have a green crown, back and tail feathers, white breasts and bellies, and ruby throat patches which can appear either solid or speckled depending on the angle of sunlight. The males also have an iridescent violet throat patch that can be seen when the light hits it just right.
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6. Broad-Tailed Hummingbird
This species is found in the western US and Canada and has olive-green wings and tail feathers, white breasts and belly, and a reddish-orange throat patch. This is a medium-sized bird that migrates south for the winter months but can also be spotted year-round in some areas.
Physical Characteristics
Broad-tailed hummingbirds are medium-sized birds with short bills. They have an olive-green crown, back and tail feathers, white breasts and bellies, long thin tails, and bright red throats. The males also have an iridescent throat patch which can appear green or purple depending on the angle of sunlight.
7. Allen’s Hummingbird
This species is found along the Pacific coast and has green wings, tail feathers, white breasts, and a belly with a bright orange throat patch. They prefer open woodlands or forest edges for nesting sites and often migrate to warmer climates in winter.
Physical Characteristics
Allen’s hummingbirds are small birds with short bills. They have an olive-green crown, back and tail feathers, white breasts and bellies, and bright orange throats. The males also have an iridescent throat patch which can appear either deep red or purple depending on the angle of sunlight.
8. Costa’s Hummingbird
This species is found in the southwestern US and has green wings, tail feathers, white breasts, and a belly with a purple throat patch. They are a small bird that migrates to warmer climates during the winter months.
Physical Characteristics
Costa’s hummingbirds are small birds with short bills. They have an olive-green crown, back and tail feathers, white breasts and bellies, and deep purple throats. The males also have an iridescent throat patch which can appear either red or blue depending on the angle of sunlight.
Learn more: How To Make A Hummingbird Feeder
Wrap Up:
This article on types of hummingbirds in Maryland covered 8 different species that can be found in the state. These include the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird, Calliope Hummingbird, Broad-Tailed Hummingbird, Allen’s Hummingbird, and Costa’s Hummingbird. Each species has its own physical characteristics such as size, the coloration of wings and tail feathers, breast and belly coloration, throat patches, and iridescent throat patches on males. Knowing these characteristics can help birders identify hummingbirds in the wild.
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