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.