10 Species Of Hummingbirds In Texas

Hummingbirds are one of the most beautiful species that you can see around the globe. This species is known well for its bright colors and marvelous flying capabilities. Texas fosters different species of hummingbirds with diverse habitats ranging from deserts to forests. These tiny little birds play a vital role in pollination and help conserve the ecosystems they inhabit. Each species, with its specifics, has a unique behavioral pattern, which makes this place perfect for bird and nature lovers.

From the beautiful Ruby-throated Hummingbird to the Black-chinned Hummingbird, the large scale and variety found in the landscape provide necessary resources of nectar flowers for feeding and nesting. Below is a description of their ten species present in Texas: their characteristics, habitats, and roles within the ecosystems. Discover the beauty and diversity of these incredible birds that parade the Texas skies!

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Scientific Name: Archilochus colubris
Habitat: Ruby-throated hummingbirds are normally found in deciduous forests, gardens, and places with profuse flowering plants. They tend to favor habitats where nectar sources are abundant and easily accessible.
Migration: These birds migrate between North America and Central America. Generally, they travel alone, flying up to 500 miles nonstop across the Gulf of Mexico at the peak of migration.
Appearance: Males have iridescent green backs and striking ruby-red throats, while females are slightly bigger and do not have the bright throat coloration, appearing subdued.
Beak: They have a long, straight bill, which helps them scoop nectar from the bottom of the flower.
Feather: They have iridescent feathers that reflect an incredibly vivid color from various angles of light; the males of this species have particularly striking coloration.
Feeding Habits: Ruby-throated hummingbirds mainly consume the nectar of flowers and
spiders for protein.
Nesting: These birds construct tiny, cup-shaped nests using plant fibers and spider silk, among other materials, in a fork on a tree branch.
Mating Behavior: Males display to females by aerial displays with their bright colors and
acrobatic maneuvers.
Breeding Season: The breeding season occurs during late spring, and females lay 2 to 3 eggs in one clutch.
What Does Its Egg Like: The eggs are small, white, and approximately 0.5 inches long. They are usually laid in a soft, well-camouflaged nest.

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Scientific Name: Archilochus alexandri
Habitat: This bird is found in dry regions. It prefers deserts, scrub, and places with flowers. It is not uncommon to spot these birds in gardens or feeders.
Migration: In winter, the birds migrate to the south, mostly to Mexico and Central America. They do so either by themselves or in small flocks.
Appearance: The male black-chinned hummingbird has a black throat patch that appears to have a purple background. The females are green above and light gray below, without any color on their throats.
Beak: Its straight, slender bill is well adapted to reaching nectar deep within tubular flowers.
Feather: The plumage is largely green, with males showing impressive iridescence on their throats.
Feeding Habits: These birds forage for nectar, favoring plants like salvia and trumpet vine.
Nesting: Females make their nests from plant material, silk from spiders, and feathers. The nests are usually placed securely, such as a tree or shrub.
Mating Behaviors: Males offer courtship aerial displays for females, which include speed dives, intricate flight patterns, and quick maneuvers.
Breeding Season: Breeding typically occurs between late spring and early summer when plants bloom.
What Does Its Egg Like: They are small white eggs about 0.5 inches in size and often laid in a nest designed to camouflage their surroundings.

Anna's Hummingbird

Scientific Name: Calypte anna
Habitat: Anna's Hummingbirds are common in coastal locations, gardens, and cities and prefer regions with many flowers and feeders.
Migration: Some populations migrate seasonally, while others remain throughout the year in suitable habitats, mostly near the Pacific Coast.
Appearance: Males have bright emerald-green backs, a shimmering rose-red crown, and a throat, while females are more subdued and have greenish feathers.
Beak: Their bill is slightly curved to allow them to feed proficiently on various flowers.
Feather: Its feathers are glossy and bright, especially for the males, making them appear very shiny.
Feeding Habits: They drink nectar and take small insects and spiders to supplement their diet.
Nesting: Generally, the females build small cup-shaped nests that normally take up materials such as plants and spider webs. Hence, they are usually sheltered.
Mating Behavior: The males are said to be very aggressive in their courtship behavior. They normally do their aerial displays in the presence of the females.
Breeding Season: The breeding season varies, typically from late winter to early summer in the warmer regions.
What Does Its Egg Like: Their egg measures 0.6 inches and is white.

Rufous Hummingbird

Scientific Name: Selasphorus rufus
Habitat: Rufous hummingbirds prefer open woodlands, meadows, and gardens, with many areas consisting of flowering plants.
Migration: These birds travel quite a distance—up to 3,000 miles—from their breeding ground in Alaska to their Mexican wintering habitats.
Appearance: Males are bright orange-red with a characteristic iridescent throat patch, while females are much duller and have green and orange markings.
Beak: Their straight bill is long, thin, and ideal for probing into nectar in various flowers.
Feather: Rufous hummingbirds have mostly orange and green feathers, with males displaying amazing iridescence.
Feeding Habits: Rufous hummingbirds feed on various flowers' nectar and aggressively defend their territories' feeding areas.
Nesting: The females construct tiny nests with plant fibers, spider webs, and other materials, mostly attached to the branches of trees or shrubs.
Mating Behaviors: Males display aggressive courtship behaviors, including aerial displays and vocalizations to attract females.
Breeding Season: Typically breeds in late spring to early summer, after the nectar sources become available.
What Does Its Egg Like: Its eggs are very tiny, white, and 0.5 inches in length. They lay eggs in a well-hidden nest.

Calliope Hummingbird

Scientific Name: Stellula calliope
Habitat: Open woodland, meadows, and mountainous regions are typical areas for the calliope hummingbirds, but they usually prefer areas rich in flowering plants.
Migration: The western North American breeding birds and Mexico winterers migrate alone.
Appearance: The iridescent magenta throat shows a male, whereas his rear is greenish. Females are much duller, with both grayish and greenish plumage.

Beak: They possess a straight and slender beak, which aids nectar from tubular flowers for efficient feeding.
Feather: The feathers are iridescent, particularly in males, and show stunning colors where one can reflect light.
Feeding Habits: These birds mainly survive on nectar, especially from flowers like columbine and salvia, apart from taking tiny insects.
Nesting: Females construct small, cup-shaped nests by utilizing plant materials and spider silk. They typically settle in shrubs or trees.
Mating Behaviors: The male males give spectacular aerial performances apart from producing different vocalizations, and both pair up during the mating season.
Breeding Season: The breeding season is usually late spring and early summer when flowering plants are available.
What Does Its Egg Like: The eggs are tiny, creamy white, and about 0.6 inches long. They are usually laid in a soft, well-covered nest.

Broad-tailed Hummingbird

Scientific Name: Selasphorus platycercus
Habitat: Broad-tailed hummingbirds sometimes appear in montane forests and meadows, normally in areas with abundant flowering plants.
Migration: Migrates between their breeding grounds in the Rocky Mountains and wintering habitats in Mexico.
Appearance: Males have a greenback and a broad, rust-colored tail, while females are similar but lack a bright throat color.
Beak: The straight bill they have means it is aptly designed to feed on various flowers since one easily accesses the nectar within.
Feather: The majority are green and rust; males display brilliant iridescent colors during the courtship display.
Feeding Habits: These birds feed significantly on nectar, although they consume tiny insects for proteins.
Nesting: Female species build tiny nests from plant fibers and spider silk commonly found in coniferous trees or shrubs.
Mating Behaviors: Males have aerial displays and loud vocalizations, which may attract females to breeding during the breeding season.
Breeding Season: Typically, breeding may be expected to occur at the tail end of spring when flowers bloom.
What Does Its Egg Like: The small, pearly eggs are approximately 0.5 inches long; the female usually lays them in a hidden, well-camouflaged nest.

Allen's Hummingbird

Scientific Name: Selasphorus sasin
Habitat: These birds are generally found in the coastal scrub, gardens, and towns, usually near flowers.
Migration: These birds migrate along the Pacific Coast, migrating from the California breeding grounds to the Mexican wintering grounds.
Appearance: Males have bright green backs and orange-red undersides. Their heads are very distinctive, with shiny iridescent throat feathers. Females are similar, except they do not have brilliant throat feathers.
Beak: They have a straight, slender bill that is well suited for extracting nectar from tubular flowers.
Feather: Allen's hummingbirds, like all hummers, have amazingly colorful and shiny feathers; males are especially color-intensive.
Feeding Habits: Their primary source of food is nectar, salvia, and fuchsias. They also take small insects.
Nesting: They construct minute nests from plant material, spider silk, and feathers. They
typically choose covered sites for their nests.
Mating Behaviors: Males have dramatic courtship posturing, including aerial evolutions and vocalizing to attract females.
Breeding Season: Breeding occurs from late spring to early summer when flowering plants fully bloom.
What Does Its Egg Like: They are very small, white, and approximately 0.6 inches in size. They are laid in a nest that the bird hides well.

Costa's Hummingbird

Scientific Name: Calypte costae
Habitat: Costa's hummingbirds reside in arid and semi-arid habitats, such as deserts and coastal scrub, usually where flowers are abundant.
Migration: These birds are year-round residents in their habitats but make short-distance movements for foraging.
Appearance: Males have violet crowns, throats, greenbacks, and sides, while females are less colorful and appear with greenish plumage.
Beak: The straight shape of their bill allows them to reach nectar at the bottom of tubular flowers easily.
Feather: Costa's hummingbirds have iridescent feathers, particularly in males, which reflect hues of color depending on light intensity.
Feeding Habits: They primarily feed on nectar from many flowers. They also eat small insects to supplement their diet with proteins and calories.
Nesting: Females construct small nests with plant fibers, spider silk, and feathers and place them in bushes or trees.
Mating Behaviors: Males perform aerial displays and vocalizations during breeding season to win over females.
Breeding Season: The mating season typically occurs from late winter to early spring, when the flowering plants are present.
What Does Its Egg Like: The eggs are small, white, and measure about 0.5 inches in length in a concealed nest.

Buff-bellied Hummingbird

Scientific Name: Amazilia yucatanensis
Habitat: Buff-bellied hummingbirds inhabit tropical and subtropical habitats. They also like urban places such as gardens, parks, and open woodland.
Migration: These birds are mainly residents, though they are sometimes tied to short moves looking for food, especially in cold seasons.
Appearance: Males have a bright green upper part of their back, but their belly is buff-colored with an iridescent throat. Females are generally the same but lack the cheerful color on the throat.
Beak: Its straight beak is perfectly suited for extracting nectar from different flowers.
Feather: The feathers are bright and shiny, especially for males with deep coloration.
Feeding Habits: Their primary diet is nectar from flowers, while their supplementary diet consists of small insects as proteins.
Nesting: The females construct small nesting made of plant material, cobwebs from spiders, and feathers, typically in trees or shrubs.
Mating Behaviors: Male buff-bellied will do aerial and vocal shows to attract mates in the breeding season.
Breeding Season: It occurs in springtime when the flowers are in bloom.
What Does Its Egg Like: The eggs laid are white and small, measuring about 0.5 inches in a secure, well-hidden nest.

Green Violet-ear Hummingbird

Scientific Name: Colibri thalassinus
Habitat: Green Violet-ear hummingbirds are residents of montane and tropical forests. They can be seen commonly in habitats with high flowering plants.
Migration: These species are primarily residents in the habitat and exhibit occasional changes with food scarcity.
Appearance: Males of this species have iridescent green body plumage with a violet ear patch, which distinguishes them. The females have duller greenish feathers.
Beak: Their long, straight bill is narrow, allowing them to reach nectar deep in various flowers.
Feather: Their feathers are iridescent, especially in males, which glitter with bright colors
depending on the angle of the light.
Feeding Habits: These birds primarily feed on nectar from several species of flowers. They also consume small insects for protein.
Nesting: Female hummingbirds construct small nests in sheltered locations using plant
material, spider silk, and feathers.
Mating Habits: Males perform aerial courtship and vocalizations to attract females into mating season.
Breeding Season: The breeding season commonly falls during late spring when flowers are in bloom.
What Does Its Egg Like: Typically, they are small white eggs roughly 0.6 inches long, laid in a soft, well-camouflaged nest.

Conclusion

There are hummingbird species in Texas with diverse features and habits. Most are Ruby throated Hummingbirds and have dashing appearances, and some are characterized by an exciting look like that of the Green Violet-ear Hummingbird. They play crucial roles in the state's pollination networks and contribute to biotic diversity. Observing these beautiful creatures can be very rewarding for those interested in birds or nature.