There have been reports of as many as 27 different species of hummingbirds seen in the United States. Some of these are common can be found every year, while some are rare or accidental visitors. When it comes to hummingbirds in Wisconsin, we have found 1 common species, and 3 species that have visited but are rare. That’s a total of 4 species of hummingbirds you may be able to see in Wisconsin.
4 Hummingbirds in Wisconsin
The 4 species of hummingbirds in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin. 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 Wisconsin 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 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 in the eastern U.S. after the ruby-throated hummingbird.
Recorded sightings in Wisconsin are not enough to be considered “common”, but they have been spotted several times over the years. The majority of reported sightings come from the areas around Madison, Milwaukee and along Lake Michigan.
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. There are a handful of recorded sightings in Wisconsin, mostly around Madison and Milwaukee. So while rare, it’s not impossible for an Anna’s to wander into Wisconsin.
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. Wisconsin has had just a few recorded sightings, typically in fall or winter in the eastern part of the state.
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.