Family Reference
Hummingbirds
Trochilidae — the smallest birds in the world and the most demanding feeder visitors.
The Complete Hummingbirds Guide: Identification, Feeders & Sugar Solution
Field reference to Trochilidae: New World range, ID structure, correct sugar-water recipe, feeder hygiene, and common species by region.
Read the guide →Species & Profiles
All articles in this section
Why Is My Hummingbird Aggressive?
Feeder aggression in hummingbirds is normal resource-defence. Covers species differences, misread displays, and feeder layout to reduce monopoly.
Allen's vs Rufous Hummingbird: The Pacific Coast ID Nightmare
Back colour and tail-feather shape are the only reliable marks separating Allen's from Rufous Hummingbird. Females and immatures are not reliably separable in the field.
Sword-billed Hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera): The Bird Whose Bill Outlasts Its Body
Field profile of Ensifera ensifera: Andean hummingbird with a 9-11 cm bill, long-tubed flowers, and specialised feeding mechanics.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris): Identification & Migration
Field profile of Archilochus colubris: male and female ID, trans-Gulf fat-loading migration, and the only eastern breeding hummingbird.
Rivoli's Hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens): The Large Mountain Hummer
Field profile of Eugenes fulgens: large montane hummingbird of Mexico, Central America, and Arizona sky islands, with dark body and crown.
Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope): The Smallest Hummer in North America
Field profile of Selasphorus calliope: North America's smallest hummingbird, male gorget rays, mountain breeding, migration, and feeders.
Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna): Identification & Year-round Residence
Field profile of Calypte anna: male crown-gorget, winter persistence to British Columbia, range expansion, feeder care, and mechanical dive sound.
Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae): The World's Smallest Bird
Field profile of Mellisuga helenae: Cuba's endemic Bee Hummingbird, the world's smallest bird, with ID, habitat, feeding, breeding, and status.
Marvelous Spatuletail (Loddigesia mirabilis): The Four-feathered Tail Display
Field profile of Loddigesia mirabilis: Peru's endangered spatuletail, four-feather male tail, racket display, restricted range, and status.
Allen's Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin): Coastal California's Hummer
Field profile of Selasphorus sasin: coastal California ID, Allen's versus Rufous, display behaviour, feeders, nesting, and resident populations.
Lucifer Hummingbird (Calothorax lucifer): The Decurved-billed Sky-island Hummer
Field profile of Calothorax lucifer: decurved-billed hummingbird of desert canyons and sky islands, with purple male gorget and feeders.
Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri): The Western Counterpart of Ruby-throated
Field profile of Archilochus alexandri: western ID, violet gorget band, range, feeders, nesting, and Ruby-throated separation.
Buff-bellied Hummingbird (Amazilia yucatanensis): The Texas-coast Resident Hummer
Field profile of Amazilia yucatanensis: buff-bellied, rufous-tailed hummingbird of the Texas coast and Gulf lowlands, with range and feeders.
Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus): The Long-distance Migratory Hummer
Field profile of Selasphorus rufus: identification, Pacific migration loop, territorial feeders, breeding, and extreme body-size migration.
Blue-throated Mountaingem (Lampornis clemenciae): The Largest Hummer in the United States
Field profile of Lampornis clemenciae: largest regular U.S. hummingbird, white tail corners, blue male throat, mountain canyons, and feeders.
Ruby-Topaz Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus): Iridescent Caribbean Hummer
Field profile of Chrysolampis mosquitus: Caribbean and northern South American hummingbird with ruby crown, golden throat, movement, and breeding.
Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae): The Desert Hummer
Field profile of Calypte costae: desert ID, male purple gorget plumes, range, arid nectar use, feeders, nesting, and Anna's comparison.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus): The Wing-trilling Mountain Hummer
Field profile of Selasphorus platycercus: mountain hummingbird with male wing-trill, high-elevation breeding, feeders, and nesting.