Are you a nature enthusiast looking to spot the 8 types of hummingbirds that call Virginia home? Whether it’s in your backyard, at a conservation area, or while visiting family and friends across the state – prepare to be amazed as you identify all these amazing creatures. Hummingbirds throughout Virginia fly with beauty and grace, captivating admirers with their spectacular display. If this sounds like something right up your alley, stick around to learn about the 8 types of hummingbirds in virginia!
8 Types Of Hummingbirds In Virginia
Here is the list of hummingbirds that can be seen in Virginia:
- Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
- Rufous Hummingbird
- Allen’s Hummingbird
- Anna’s Hummingbird
- Black-Chinned Hummingbird
- Calliope Hummingbird
- Rivoli’s Hummingbird
- Violet-Crowned Hummingbird
Read More: How Often Do Hummingbirds Eat?
1. Ruby-throated hummingbird
The most common species of hummingbird in Virginia is the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird. This small bird has an emerald green back and white underparts, with its distinctive ruby throat patch easily recognizable.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds are nectar feeders who can be found throughout the East Coast from April until October before heading south to Central America for winter. One of the smallest birds in North America, 3-4 inches long and weighs just 0.1 ounces (3 grams).
2. Rufous Hummingbird
The rufous hummingbird is a warm-toned species that stands out among others due to its distinctive orange and red feathers. The Rufous hummingbirds are also a nectar feeder that migrates from Alaska to Mexico in the winter months and can be found across Virginia during the breeding season.
Males of this species have an unmistakable loud call similar to a buzz. It’s sometimes referred to rufous hummingbird scientific name “Selasphorus Rufus”.
3. Allen’s Hummingbird
The Allen’s hummingbird is an endangered species with a small population that can be seen throughout Virginia between March and October. This tiny bird has olive-green upperparts, pale undersides, and a distinctive black line down the throat that separates it from other hummingbirds.
Allen’s also has narrower outer tail feathers and a slightly downward-curved bill. During mating season, male Allen will flash their forget (throat) feathers to attract the attention of potential mates.
Read More: When Do Hummingbirds Lay Eggs?
4. Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s hummingbird is a species in Virginia and has been found living in various parts of the state. These small birds have bronze-green backs, grey chests, and a distinctive pink patch on their throats, which they use to attract mates during the breeding season.
Anna’s are also nectar feeders and can often be seen flocking to backyard feeders filled with sugar water or brightly colored flowers such as hibiscus, columbine, or fuchsia.
5. Black-chinned hummingbird
The black-chinned hummingbird is a species found all across Virginia in the spring and summer months. This bird has green and white plumage, but its most distinguishing feature is its slender black chin, which gives it its name.
Male black-chinned hummingbirds are acrobatic flyers and will often perform impressive aerial displays to attract potential mates during the breeding season. They make their nest from leaves and spider webs.
6. Calliope Hummingbird
The calliope hummingbirds are uncommon species with a small population that can be seen in southern parts of Virginia during the summer months before migrating to Mexico for the winter.
This tiny bird has a bright green back and white underparts, with a distinctive patch of red feathers on its throat that it uses to attract mates. The calliope hummingbird is also known for its loud, cheerful call, which sounds like a series of high-pitched chirps.
Read More: Do Hummingbirds Chirp?
7. Rivoli’s Hummingbird
The Rivoli’s hummingbird is another uncommon species found in Virginia during the summer months before heading to Mexico or Central America for winter. This vibrant bird has an emerald green back and head, copper-colored wings, and an eye-catching iridescent violet crown above its head.
Male Rivolis are acrobatic flyers and will often perform impressive aerial displays to attract potential mates during the breeding season.
8. Broad-Tailed Hummingbird
The broad-tailed hummingbird is a species found throughout Virginia from March until October before heading south for the winter. These small birds have greenish upperparts and grey undersides, with their most distinctive feature being their broad reddish-pink tail that gives them their name.
Read more: What Color Should A Hummingbird Feeder Be?
How To Make Sure The Humming Birds Are Safe?
There are other hummingbird species in Virginia, including the Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris), Costa’s Hummingbird (Calypte Costae), and Broad-billed Hummingbird (Cynanthus Latirostris), although these are much rarer than the ones listed above.
All of these species, however, can be identified by their unique colors and calls. Regardless of the species, all hummingbirds are important pollinators and play an essential role in maintaining healthy ecosystems throughout Virginia.
Hummingbird populations are declining due to habitat loss and climate change, so it is important to help preserve their habitats and create new ones where possible.
This includes planting native flowers that produce nectar to feed the birds as well as providing them with water sources such as bird baths or shallow dishes filled with stones and water. Doing this will not only help sustain hummingbird populations but also provide us with beautiful avian visitors every spring.
You can also install some feeders in your garden, which will not only attract hummingbirds but also keep them around for longer periods. Make sure to use feeders made specifically for hummingbirds and fill them with a specialized sugar solution to ensure their health.
By taking these measures and providing the necessary resources, we can help ensure that these small yet breathtaking birds have a safe place to live and thrive in Virginia.
Read More: How To Make A Hummingbird House
Conclusion
The state of Virginia is home to many different species of hummingbirds, each one with its unique colors and call. These beloved birds are important pollinators in our ecosystems and it is important to help preserve their habitats and create new ones where possible. By providing food sources such as nectar-producing native flowers and shallow dishes of water, we can ensure that these magnificent creatures will have a safe place to live and thrive in Virginia.
