Hummingbirds are some of the most beautiful, tiny birds that can be found in Washington State. Of the more than 300 species around the world, 8 types can be found in this region: Anna’s Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Calliope Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Allen’s Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, and Costa’s Hummingbird. Each species has its own unique characteristics and behaviors which make them different from one another. In this article, we will discuss each type in detail so you can identify them when you see them in your backyard or parks.
8 Types Of Hummingbirds In Washington State
Here are the 8 types of hummingbirds found in Washington State:
- Anna’s Hummingbirds
- Rufous Hummingbirds
- Costa’s Hummingbirds
- Calliope Hummingbirds
- Allen’s Hummingbirds
- Black-chinned Hummingbirds
- Broad-tailed Hummingbirds
- Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
Learn More: When Should The Hummingbird Feeder Be Put Out?
1. Anna’s Hummingbirds
This species is a medium-sized bird that can be identified by its long, dark and forked tail feathers. They have a metallic green upper body and a grayish belly with dark spots. Male Anna’s hummingbird has a rose-red throat patch while the female’s throat is white. These birds are known to be very territorial and will often return to the same nesting site each year. To attract these beautiful hummingbirds, you should use nectar feeders or provide sugar water in your backyard.
How To Identify Them?
To identify Anna’s Hummingbird, look for its long, forked tail with dark feathers, metallic green upper body, and grayish belly with dark spots. Male Anna’s hummingbird has a rose-red throat patch while the female’s throat is white.
Anna’s Hummingbird is the only species of hummingbird that is found in Washington State year-round. They can also be seen in other parts of the US including California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas as well as parts of Canada during summer months. These birds are known to be very territorial and will often return to the same nesting site each year, so they are a popular sight for backyard birders.
Learn More: How To Clean Hummingbird Feeder
2. Rufous Hummingbirds
These small birds have bright orange-red feathers on their throats and heads that make them stand out. The males have a greenback and rusty sides while the females have duller, more greyish-green coloring. Rufous Hummingbirds are often seen in western North America and they migrate to the Rocky Mountains during the summer months. They are very territorial birds and will attack other hummingbird species that try to feed from their food sources.
How To Identify Them?
Rufous Hummingbirds can be identified by their bright orange-red throat feathers, which make them stand out among other hummingbirds. Male rufous hummingbirds also have a greenback and rusty sides, while female’s coloring is duller and more greyish-green in color.
Rufous Hummingbirds can be found in western North America and migrate to the Rocky Mountains during the summer months. They are very territorial birds and will attack other hummingbird species that try to feed from their food sources. These birds are small but feisty, and they make a loud buzzing sound when flying or hovering around flowers for nectar. They build nests on tree branches near water sources or flower gardens, so keeping those areas well-maintained is important for these birds’ protection.
3. Costa’s Hummingbirds
This species of hummingbird is found in the western United States and Mexico and can be identified by its dark green back and crown. The male has a purple-red throat patch while the female’s throat is white with some specks of brown. They feed on insects as well as nectar from flowers, so they are often seen visiting gardens or hovering around feeders. Costa’s hummingbirds are known to be very territorial, so it is important to keep them away from other hummingbird species that may try to feed off their food sources.
How To Identify Them?
Costa’s Hummingbirds can be identified by their dark green back and crown, as well as their purple-red throat patch on the males and white throat with some specks of brown on the females. These birds are also known to be very territorial, so they should be kept away from other hummingbird species that may try to feed off their food sources.
Costa’s Hummingbirds are found in the western United States and Mexico, and they feed on both insects and nectar from flowers.
4. Calliope Hummingbirds
These birds are the smallest hummingbirds in North America, and they can be found in parts of western Canada and the US. The male has a purple-red throat patch, while the female has a white throat with some specks of black. Calliope hummingbirds feed on nectar from flowers but also eat small insects like aphids, which they catch while in flight. They are territorial and will defend their food sources from other hummingbird species.
How To Identify Them?
Calliope Hummingbirds can be identified by their small size, as it is the smallest hummingbird in North America. The male has a purple-red throat patch while the female has a white throat with some specks of black. These birds also make a loud buzzing sound when flying or hovering around flowers for nectar.
Calliope Hummingbirds can be found in parts of western Canada and the US, and they feed on both nectar from flowers and small insects like aphids. They are territorial and will defend their food sources from other hummingbird species. These birds build nests in sheltered areas like tree branches near water sources or flower gardens, so keeping those areas well-maintained is important for these birds’ protection.
5. Allen’s Hummingbirds
This species of hummingbird is found in the western US, from southern California to Washington. The male has a bright orange-red throat patch while the female’s throat is white with some specks of black. They feed on nectar from flowers but also eat small insects like aphids, which they catch while in flight. Allen’s hummingbirds are known to be very territorial, so it is important to keep them away from other hummingbird species that may try to feed off their food sources.
Learn More: When To Change My Hummingbird Feeder
How To Identify Them?
Allen’s Hummingbirds can be identified by their bright orange-red throat patch on the males and white throat with some specks of black on the females. These birds also make a loud buzzing sound when flying or hovering around flowers for nectar.
Allen’s Hummingbirds are found in the western US, from southern California to Washington, and they feed on both nectar from flowers and small insects like aphids. They are territorial and will defend their food sources from other hummingbird species.
6. Black-chinned hummingbirds
This species of hummingbird can be found in parts of the western US, Mexico, and Central America. The male has a black throat patch while the female’s throat is white with some specks of green. They feed on nectar from flowers but also eat small insects like aphids, which they catch while in flight. Black-chinned hummingbirds are known to be very territorial, so it is important to keep them away from other hummingbird species that may try to feed off their food sources.
How To Identify Them?
Black-chinned Hummingbirds can be identified by their black throat patch on the males and white throat with some specks of green on the females. These birds also make a loud buzzing sound when flying or hovering around flowers for nectar.
Black-chinned Hummingbirds are found in parts of the western US, Mexico, and Central America, and they feed on both nectar from flowers and small insects like aphids.
Learn More: 8 Types Of Hummingbirds In Illinois
7. Broad-tailed Hummingbirds
This species of hummingbird can be found in parts of the western US, from Nevada to Texas. The male has a bright pink-red throat patch while the female’s throat is white with some specks of red. They feed on nectar from flowers but also eat small insects like aphids, which they catch while in flight. Broad-tailed hummingbirds are known to be very territorial, so it is important to keep them away from other hummingbird species that may try to feed off their food sources.
How To Identify Them?
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds can be identified by their bright pink-red throat patch on the males and white throat with some specks of red on the females. These birds also make a loud buzzing sound when flying or hovering around flowers for nectar.
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds are found in parts of the western US, from Nevada to Texas, and they feed on both nectar from flowers and small insects like aphids.
8. Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds
This species of hummingbird can be found in parts of the eastern US, from Maine to Texas. The male has a bright ruby-red throat patch while the female’s throat is white with some specks of red. They feed on nectar from flowers but also eat small insects like aphids, which they catch while in flight. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are known to be very territorial, so it is important to keep them away from other hummingbird species that may try to feed off their food sources.
How To Identify Them?
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds can be identified by their bright ruby-red throat patch on the males and white throat with some specks of red on the females. These birds also make a loud buzzing sound when flying or hovering around flowers for nectar.
Learn More: 6 Best Hummingbird Feeders To Keep Bees Away
Conclusion
Bird-watching enthusiasts who visit Washington State will find no shortage of fascinating winged creatures to admire! From colorful Anna’s hummingbirds to exotic Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, there are eight different types of hummingbirds flitting about these Pacific Northwest skies—each more breathtaking than the last!
Whether you’re looking for a peaceful morning stroll or an adrenaline rush spotting rare feathered friends in their natural habitat; this guide should help get you started on your journey! So put your binoculars away; grab your camera; it’s time to explore what nature has gifted us here in beautiful Washington State! Happy birding!
