There have been reports of nearly 30 different species of hummingbirds seen in the United States. Some of these are common and can be found every year, while some are rare or accidental visitors. Different states have different species visit each year.
Tennessee has 1 species of hummingbird that is common, and 6 that are rare but have made appearances. That’s a total of 7 species of hummingbirds that have been seen in the state.
But listen, we actually live in Tennessee. Bird Feeder Hub is based in a Middle Tennessee backyard, even though we do list a total of 7 species here…. for all intents and purposes, the ruby-throated hummingbird is the only hummingbird you’re going to see in most parts of Tennessee.
And even though we are Tennesseans ourselves and feed hummingbirds every single year from the time the show up in the spring until the time they leave in the fall, most people aren’t going to read this because Google chooses to show people articles about Tennessee hummingbirds from people who likely don’t even live in our country… thanks Google.
Back to the topic/end rant…
The hummingbirds of Tennessee are the Ruby-throated hummingbird (most common), Rufous Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Calliope Hummingbird, Allen’s Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird, and the Broad-tailed hummingbird.
For each species in this list you’ll find the species name, pictures, interesting facts, and where and when you may be able to spot them. Read to the end for tips on attracting hummingbirds to your yard, and visit this article to find out when hummingbirds will be returning to your state.
Enjoy and thanks for reading!
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 Tennessee during the spring and summer months, and tend to stay into the early fall. They are the only species of breeding hummingbirds found in Tennessee and by far the most common.
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 up through California, spend the summer in the Pacific northwest and Canada, then zip back down through the Rockies in the fall. While the rufous is considered a hummingbird of the western U.S., they are probably the second most commonly sighted species on the east coast after the ruby-throated hummingbird.
Recorded sightings in Tennessee are scattered throughout the state, and while I wouldn’t necessarily call them common, they are seen at least a few times each year. It can be any time of year but seems to be most common in late fall and winter.
3. Black-chinned Hummingbird
Scientific name: Archilochus alexandri
Black-chinned hummingbirds migrate north from Mexico and Central America each year and breed in the western United States. Males throat color looks plain black in most light, however they do have a small strip of purple feathers along the bottom that is sometimes visible. Females appear like most hummingbird females green above and pale below with a plain throat. They are widespread among many habitats from deserts to mountain forests and like to perch on bare branches.
While they are a bird of the west coast, they have been spotted in most states along the east coast at least once, including Tennessee where there have been a handful of sightings over the years. They would still be considered rare for the state, but you may get lucky. Sightings tend to be November through February.
4. Calliope Hummingbird
Scientific name: Selasphorus calliope
The calliope hummingbird winters in Central America, then mainly spends its breeding season in the Pacific Northwest and parts of western Canada. That’s an impressively far migration, especially considering the calliope is the smallest bird in the United States!
Males have a unique throat pattern of magenta stripes that fork down on the sides. Females are plain with some green spotting on the throat and peachy tinted underparts.
Calliope Hummingbirds are considered rare on the east coast, however they have been spotted in Tennessee a few times. Most sightings occurred in the winter.
5. Allen’s Hummingbird
Scientific name: Selasphorus sasin
These tiny guys fly all the way from Central America to breed along the Pacific Coast in California each year. They have very similar coloring to the Rufous hummingbird so it can be tricky distinguishing the two.
Allen’s males are orange with a green back and orangey-red throat. Females have a speckled throat with dull green back and brownish-orange flanks. They migrate quite early compared to other hummingbirds, heading for California in January.
Allen’s are rare for Tennessee and they have only been spotted there a few times. Most sightings seem to be in November and December, and along the eastern border of the state.
6. 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, including California.
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 are very uncommon on the east coast, but they do stray from time to time. Only a few have been spotted in Tennessee over the years, in the center of the state.
7. Broad-tailed hummingbird
Scientific name: Selasphorus platycerus
Broad-tailed hummingbirds love the mountains and breed at elevations up to 10,500 feet. Males have a rosey-magenta colored throat. Females have some green spotting on their throat and cheeks, and buffy colored sides.
Broad-tailed hummingbirds are very uncommon in the eastern U.S. north of the Gulf coast. Only a few have ever been recorded in Tennessee, and currently almost none have been spotted north of Tennessee in the east.
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.