Birdwatching for hummingbirds can be pretty tricky on the eastern coast of the United States. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only species that breeds in part of the country. However, the year-round warm weather in Florida and it’s relatively close proximity to the southern portion of Mexico and the Caribbean islands makes it possible for rare visits from a variety of hummingbird species. In this article we go over 11 species of hummingbirds in Florida, including the regular occupants as well as the rare and occasional visitors.
The 11 species of hummingbirds you may see in Florida include the ruby-throated hummingbird, rufous hummingbird, bahama woodstar, black-chinned hummingbird, Anna’s hummingbird, Allen’s hummingbird, Costa’s hummingbird, calliope hummingbird, broad-tailed hummingbird, broad-billed hummingbird, and buff-bellied hummingbird.
Only the ruby-throated and rufous hummingbirds are common in the state. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are found throughout Florida during the breeding season in the spring and summer, while non-breeding populations of Rufous Hummingbirds are found in pockets of the state during the winter.
1. Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are the only hummingbirds that breed in the eastern half of the United States before migrating south to Central America in the winter. They’re commonly found throughout Florida during the spring and summer, and some are even found at the southern tip of the peninsula during the winter.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are often spotted in open woodlands and meadows. They’re also found in suburbs, where they’re very likely to visit backyard feeders and gardens. Though they’ll sip nectar from a variety of flowers, they seem to favor red and orange flowers the most. For a more detailed list of what flowers and plants attract hummingbirds to your yard, check out this other article.
