There are nearly 30 different species of hummingbirds that have been recorded across the United States. Among these, some are common, frequently found throughout the country, while others are rare, appearing only occasionally as accidental travelers.
In Iowa, there are four species of hummingbirds that may be spotted. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most common, often seen visiting feeders and flowers throughout the summer. The Rufous Hummingbird is also seen, though it is less frequent and considered more of an occasional visitor.
Rarer still are the Anna’s Hummingbird and the Broad-billed Hummingbird, which are spotted only in specific areas or under special conditions. This diversity makes hummingbird watching in Iowa an exciting activity, as you never know which of these fascinating birds might make an appearance.
4 Hummingbirds in Iowa
The 4 species of hummingbirds in Iowa are the Ruby-throated hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird, and the Broad-billed Hummingbird.
Based on the range maps of authoritative sources like allaboutbirds.org and ebird.org, we’ve put together a list of hummingbirds that can be seen in the state of Iowa. For each species in this list you’ll find the species name, pictures of what it looks like, specifications about appearance, and where and when you may be able to spot them. We will list the most common species first, and the 3 rare ones last.
Stay tuned at the end of the article for tips on attracting hummingbirds to your yard, and visit this article to find out when hummingbirds will be returning to your state.
Enjoy!
1. Ruby-throated hummingbird
Scientific name: Archilochus colubris
Ruby-throated hummingbirds are the most common hummingbirds in the eastern half of the United States. They have a green back and white underparts. Males have a ruby red throat that can look black in certain lighting.
Each spring they enter the country in droves from their wintering grounds in Central America. Many of them fly over the Gulf of Mexico in one non-stop flight! Ruby-throated hummingbirds are fairly easy to attract to backyards with nectar feeders and flowers.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds are seen throughout Iowa during the spring and summer months. They are by far the most common hummingbird in the state, and will arrive around May and leave in September. If you see a hummingbird in your yard, it will almost surely be the ruby-throated.
2. Rufous Hummingbird
Scientific name: Selasphorus rufus
Rufous hummingbirds are known for being very “feisty” when it comes to sharing feeders and chasing off other hummers. Males are orange all over with a white patch on the upper breast and an orange-red throat. Females are green with rusty patches and a speckled throat.
In the spring they migrate back into the U.S. through California, spend the summer in the Pacific northwest and Canada, then zip back south through the Rockies in the fall. While the rufous is considered a hummingbird of the west, they are probably the second most commonly sighted species in the eastern U.S. after the ruby-throated hummingbird.
Recorded sightings of the rufous in Iowa are not frequent enough to be considered “common”, but they have been spotted several times over the years. They have been seen throughout the state during pretty much any month so there’s always a chance.
3. Anna’s Hummingbird
Scientific name: Calypte anna
Anna’s actually stay in the U.S. all year within most of their range, however you’ll only find them regularly in a few of the western states. The green of their feathers tends to be a bit brighter and more iridescent than most others, and even their chest and belly are sprinkled with emerald feathers. Males have rosy-pink throats and those colorful feathers extend up onto their forehead.
Anna’s very uncommon on the east coast, but they do stray from time to time. EBird only has two recorded sightings in Iowa, both around Des Moines. I decided to include them on this list because sightings have also happened in surrounding areas such as Omaha, Nebraska and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. So while rare, it’s not impossible for an Anna’s to wander into Iowa. Sightings in this area tend to occur between October and December.
4. Broad-billed Hummingbird
Scientific name: Cynanthus latirostris
The only two states in the U.S. where the broad-billed hummingbird is known to breed are Arizona and New Mexico. Males are hard to mistake with their purpleish-blue throat and blueish-green belly. They also have an orange beak with a black tip. Females are a washed out green above and grayish below with the typical black beak.
While broad-billed hummingbirds are considered very rare outside of the southwestern U.S. they occasionally pop up in other states. Iowa has had just two recorded sightings in the northern half of the state. These hummingbirds have also been spotted in neighboring southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois, so while rare they do come up to this part of the country on occasion. One of the most recent sightings was in Humboldt during October 2021.
Melanie is an environmental scientist, birdwatcher, and amateur photographer. She’s been a birding hobbyist for years and loves feeding and learning about birds of all types. Over the years, Melanie has identified more than 250 bird species, with sightings of the Atlantic Puffin, Hawaiian Goose, and Arctic Tern among her most cherished.