Hummingbirds are restricted to the Americas from southern Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, including the Caribbean. The majority of species occur in tropical and subtropical Central and South America. Hummingbirds are are among the smallest of birds. They can hover in mid-air by rapidly flapping their wings 12–90 times per second (depending on the species). They can also fly backwards, and are the only group of birds able to do so. They can fly at speeds exceeding 50 km/h (30 mi/h).

Hummingbirds drink nectar, a sweet liquid inside flowers. Nectar is a poor source of nutrients, so they also prey on insects and spiders, especially when feeding young. When hummingbirds feed on nectar, the bill is usually only opened slightly, allowing the tongue to dart out and into the interior of flowers. Most hummingbirds have bills that are long and straight or nearly so, but in some species the bill shape is adapted for specialized feeding. Hummingbirds do not spend all day flying, as the energy cost would be prohibitive; the majority of their activity consists simply of sitting or perching. With the exception of insects, hummingbirds while in flight have the highest metabolism of all animals, a necessity in order to support the rapid beating of their wings. Their heart rate can reach over 1000 beats per minute.

[Abstracted from Wikipedia]


Genus Aglaeactis

Sunbeam, Shining  Aglaeactis cupripennis  Found: South America
Photographed by: Michael Woodruff - Yanacocha Reserve, NW Ecuador   2) Bill Bouton - Peru




Genus Amazilia

Emerald, Glittering-throated  Amazilia fimbriata  Found: South America
Photographed by: 1, 2, 3) Dario Sanches - São Paulo, Brazil

Emerald, Honduran  Amazilia luciae  Found: Honduras
Photographed by: Dominic Sherony


Emerald, Sapphire-spangled  Amazilia lactea  Found: South America
Photographed by: 1, 2, 3, 4) Dario Sanches in São Paulo, Brazil


Emerald, Versicolored Amazilia versicolor Found: South America
Photographed by: 1, 2) Dario Sanches   3) Lip Kee Yap  - Iguasu Falls, Argentina 
     4) Tom Friedel - Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentinia


Hummingbird, Amazillia   Amazilia amazilia  Found: Peru and Ecuador
Photographed by Sandy Cole and Dick Daniels - Butterfly World in Florida



Hummingbird, Berylline  Amazilia beryllina Found: North America (Arizona), Central America
Photographed by Dominic Sherony


Hummingbird, Blue-chested  Amazilia amabilis  Found: Central and South America
Photographed by:  Dominic Sherony


Hummingbird, Buff-bellied Amazilia yucatanensis   Found: North America
Photographed by:  1, 2) Jerry Oldenettel


Hummingbird, Cinnamon  Amazilia rutila  Found: Central America
Photographed by Jerry Oldenettel in Costa Rica


Hummingbird, Copper-rumped  Amazilia tobaci  Found: Caribbean and South America
Photographed by:  1) MeegsC - Asa Wright Nature Centre, Trinidad  2, 3) Dominic Sherony   4) Cheesy42 - Trinidad and Tobago


Hummingbird, Rufous-tailed  Amazilia tzacatl  Found: Central and South America
Photographed by:  1)  Dominic Sherony - Panama  2) Len Blumin - Palo Verde Biological Station in Costa Rica


Hummingbird, Violet-crowned   Amazilia violiceps  Found: Mexico,  North America
Photographed by John Ennis in Sedona, Arizona



Genus Anthracothorax 

Mango, Black-throated  Anthracothorax nigricollis  Found: Central and South America
Photographed by: 1, 2)  Dario Sanches in Brazil  3) Lip Kee Yap - Iguasu Falls, Argentina  4) Tom Friedel - Puerto Iguazu, Argentina
1, 2) Female  3, 4) Male


Mango, Green-breasted  Anthracothorax prevostii  Found: Tropical South America
Photographed by Dick Daniels in Puerto Rico



Mango, Jamaican  Tyrannus caudifasciatus  Found: Jamaica
Photographed by: 1, 2) Dick  Daniels - Rockland Feeding Station, Negril, Jamaica



Genus Aphantochroa

Hummingbird, Sombre   Aphantochroa cirrochloris aka Campylopterus cirrochloris  Found: Brazil
Photographed by: 1, 2, 3, 4) Dario Sanches in São Paulo, Brazil



Genus Archilochus

Hummingbird, Black-chinned Archilochus alexandri Found: North America
Photographed by: 1) Alan D Wilson Santa Rita Lodge, Madera Canyon, Near Green Valley, Arizona 
   2) Ted Grussing in Sedona, Arizona  3) Mdf - Moab, Utah


Hummingbird, Ruby-throated Archilochus colubris Found: The Americas
Photographed by: 1, 3, 4) Jason Paluck  2, 5-8) Dick Daniels - the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina
1, 2) Female  3, 4) Male

Genus Basilinna

Hummingbird, White-eared  Basilinna leucotis  Found: southwest North America and Central America
Photographed by: 1)  Dominic Sherony  2) Seabamirum



Genus Boissonneaua

Coronet, Buff-tailed  Boissonneaua flavescens  Found: Central and South America
Photographed by: Mmcnally

Coronet, Chestnut-breasted  Boissonneaua matthewsii  Found: South America
Photographed by: 1, 4) Dominic Sherony  2) Jae - Sanctuary Lodge Hotel, Machu Picchu, Peru  3) Philipp Weigell


Coronet, Velvet Purple Boissonneaua jardini  ]Found: Central and South America
Photographed by: Vince Smith - Ecuador



Genus Calliphlox

Woodstar, Amethyst Calliphlox amethystina  Found: South America
Photographed by: 1, 2, 3) Dario Sanches - Brazil
1) Male  2, 3) Female


Woodstar, Purple-throated  Calliphlox mitchellii Found: Central America
Photographed by 1, 2) David Cook- Ecuador  3) Michael Woodruff - Tandayapa Bird Lodge, NW Ecuador
1, 2) Male  3, 4) Female



Genus Calothorax

Hummingbird, Lucifer   Calothorax lucifer  Found: Mexico,  North America
Photographed by John Ennis in Sedona, Arizona



Genus Calypte

Hummingbird, Anna's Calypte anna   Found: North America
Photographs by: 1) dFaulder  2) Alan D Wilson  - Visitor's Center, Anza Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, California
   3) Elaine R Wilson  - Visitor's Center, Anza Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, California
   4) Photographed by: Dick Daniels and Sandy Cole - the North Carolina Zoo  
   5) Ted Grussing   6) Len Blumin in Albany, California 
Photos  1 - 3) Female  4 - 6) male



Hummingbird, Costa's Calypte costae  Found: North America
Photographed by: 1) chdwckvnstrsslhm  2) Alan Vernon  6) Raul654
    3) Elaine R Wilson  - Anza Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, California 
    4) Alan D Wilson - Anza Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, California
1) Juenile  2 - 4) Male




Genus Campylopterus

Sabrewing, Rufous  Campylopterus rufus  Found: Central America
Photographed by:  Dominic Sherony


Sabrewing, Violet  Campylopterus hemileucurus  Found: South America
Photographed by: 1) Brian Ralphs - Tilarán, Guanacaste, Costa Rica


Sabrewing, White-tailed  Campylopterus ensipennis  Found: South America
Photographed by Steve Garvie



Genus Chalybura

Plumeleteer, Bronze-tailed  Chalybura urochrysia  Found: South America
Photographed by: Hans Hillewaert - Rara Avis near Las Horquetas, Costa Rica


Plumeleteer, White-vented  Chalybura buffonii  Found: South America 
Photographed by: 1) Jerry Oldenettel - Henri Pittier National Park, Venezulea  2)  Dominic Sherony   3) Francesco Verones



Genus Chlorostilbon

Emerald, Glittering-bellied  Chlorostilbon lucidus  Found: South America
Photographed by: 1) dFaulder - Costanera Sur Nature Reserve, Buenos Aires, Argentina  2) Marcos André 
    3) Saguzar  4 ) Dario Sanches in Brazil
2) Female  3) Male


Emerald, Puerto Rican  Chlorostilbon maugeaus   Endemic to Puerto Rico
Photographed by Dick Daniels in Puerto Rico



Genus Chrysolampis - 1 species

Hummingbird, Ruby Topaz  Chrysolampis mosquitus  Found: South America
Photographed by: 1, 2) New Jersy Birds



Genus Clytolaema

Ruby, Brazilian  Clytolaema rubricauda Found:  Brazil
Photographed by:1, 2, 3, 4) Dario Sanches - São Paulo, Brazil
1, 2) Female  3, 4) Male



Genus Coeligena

Inca, Brown   Coeligena wilsoni  Found: Columbia and Ecuador
Photographed by: 1)  Michael Woodruff - Tandayapa Bird Lodge, NW Ecuador


Starfrontlet, Buff-winged  Coeligena lutetiae  Found: South America
Photographed by:  1, 2) Michael Woodruff - Yanacocha, Ecuador
2) Note the tongue sticking out



Genus Colibri

Violetear, Brown  Colibri delphinae  Found: Central and South America
Photographed by: 1) BBODO   2) Francesco Veronesi - Ecuador


Violetear, Green  Colibri thalassinus  Found: The Americas
Photographed by: 1) Frank Vassen in Costa Rica    2, 3) MDF Boquete, Panama  4) Mmcnally



Genus Cynanthus

Hummingbird, Broad-billed Cynanthus latirostris Found: Mexico,  North America
Photographed by: 1) Elaine R Wilson Santa Rita Lodge, Madera Canyon, Near Green Valley, Arizona   2) Alan D Wilson



Genus Ensifera - 1 species

Hummingbird, Sword-billed  Ensifera ensifera  Found: Australia
Photographed by: 1) Michael Woodruff  - Yanacocha Reserve, NW Ecuador 
    2) David Cook - Guango Lodge, Papallacta, eastern Andes, Ecuador



Genus Eriocnemis

Puffleg, Golden-breasted  Eriocnemis mosquera Found: South America
Photographed by Michael Woodruff



Genus Eugenes - 1 species

Hummingbird, Magnificient  Eugenes fulgens  Found: Southwestern United States to Panama
Photographed by:  1) MDF in Guadalupe, Panama   2) Alan Wilson in Madera Canyon, Arizona  3) Frank Vassen in Costa Rica,
1, 2, 3) Male



Genus Eulampis

Carib, Green-throated  Eulampis holosericeus  Found: The Caribbean
Photographed by Dick Daniels on St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
2) This Carib is sitting on its nest.



Genus Eupetomena - 1 species

Hummingbird, Swallow-tailed   Eupetomena macroura  Found: South America
Photographed by: 1,  2 ) Dario Sanches in Brazil



Genus Eutoxeres

Sicklebill, White-tipped Eutoxeres aquila  Found: South America
Photographed by: Carol Foil - Panama



Genus Florisuga

Jacobin, Black  Florisuga fusca  Found: South America
Photographed by: 1, 2) Dario Sanches in Brazil 


Jacobin, White-necked  Florisuga mellivora  Found: South America
Photographed by:1, 3)  Dominic Sherony  2) New Jersy Birds



Genus Heliomaster

Starthroat, Plain-capped Heliomaster constantii  Found: Central America
Photographed by: 1) Jerry Oldenettel - Costa Rica



Genus Heliodoxa

Brilliant, Fawn-breasted  Heliodoxa rubinoides  Found: South America
Photographed by: 1) Eric Haley  2) David Cook - Owlet Lodge, Abra Patricia, Amazonas dept., Peru


Brilliant, Green-crowned  Heliodoxa jacula  Found: South America
Photographed by: 1) Linda De Volder - Monteverde, Costa Rica  2, 4, 5) Brian Ralphs - Tilarán, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
    4) Hans Hillewaert - Rara Avis near Las Horquetas, Costa Rica
1, 2) Male 3, 4, 5) Female




Genus Hylocharis

Hummingbird, Gilded  Hylocharis chrysura   Found: South America
Photographed by: 1) Dario Sanches in São Paulo, Brazil


Sapphire, White-chinned Hylocharis cyanus  Found: South America
Photographed by: 1, 2) Dario Sanches in São Paulo, Brazil
1) Male  2) Female



Genus Klais - 1 species

Hummingbird, Violet-headed  Klais guimeti  Found: Central America and northern South America
Photographed by Jerry Oldenettel in Costa Rica



Genus Lampornis

Hummingbird, Blue-throated  Lampornis clemenciae  Found: Mexico,  North America
Photographed by: 1) Commonnighthawk 2) Seabamirum


Mountain-gem, Green-breasted  Lampornis sybillae  Found: Honduras and Nicaragua
Photographed by:  Dominic Sherony


Mountain-gem, Purple-throated  Lampornis calolaema   Found: South America
Photographed by: 1) Brian Ralphs - Tilarán, Guanacaste, Costa Rica  2) Flicka - Monte Verde, Costa Rica
1, 2) Male


Mountain-gem, White-throated  Lampornis castaneoventris  Found: South America
Photographed by: 1, 3)  Dominic Sherony  2, 4) Mdf - Guadalupe, Panama
1, 2) Male  3, 4) Female



Genus  Lesbia

Trainbearer, Green-tailed  Lesbia nuna  Found: Central and South America
Photographed by Dick Daniels - Butterfly World in Florida



|Genus Leucochloris - 1 species

Hummingbird, White-throated Leucochloris albicollis  Found: South America
Photographed by:  1) Dario Sanches  in São Paulo, Brazil  2) Rodrigo Moraes in Monte Verde, Brazil



Genus Lophornis

Coquette, Festive  Lophornis chalybeus  Found: South America
Photographed by: 1, 2, 3) Dario Sanches in Brazil
1) Juvenile  2) Male  3) Female


Coquette, Tufted  Lophornis ornatus  Found: South America
Photographed by: 1) New Jersy Birds  2) Steve Garvie



Genus Metallura

Metaltail, Tyrian  Metallura tyrianthina  Found: South America
Photographed by: 1) Laura Gooch  2) Carol Foil - Quijos, Napo, Ecuador  3)  Dominic Sherony
1, 2) Male  3) Female



Genus Ocreatus - 1 species

Racket-tail, Booted  Ocreatus underwoodii  Found: South America
Photographed by: 1) Tad Bonieck - Bellavista cloudforest resort in Ecuador



Genus Orthorhyncus - 1 species

Hummingbird, Antillean Crested  Orthorhyncus cristatus    Found; The Caribbean
Photographed by:  1, 2, 3) Dick Daniels in Puerto Rico  4) New Jersy Birds



Genus Phaethornis

Hermit, Green  Phaethornis guy  Found: Central and South America
Photographed by: 1) Dominic Sherony 


Hermit,Little  Phaethornis longuemareus  Found: South America
Photographed by: Dominic Sherony


Hermit, Scale-throated Phaethornis eurynome    Found: South America
Photographed by Dario Sanches - Brazil


Hermit, Stripe-throated  Phaethornis striigularis  Found: Central America and northwest South America
Photographed by Jerry Oldenettel in Costa Rica



Genus Ramphodon - 1 species

Hermit, Saw-billed Ramphodon naevius  Found: Brazil
Photographed by: 1. 2) Dario Sanches


Genus Saucerottia

Hummingbird, Snowy-bellied aka Snowy-breasted Hummingbird  Saucerottia edward  aka Amazilia edward  Found: South America
Photographed by: Dominic Sherony - Panama



Genus Selasphorus

Hummingbird, Allen's Selasphorus sasin Found: North America
Photographed by:  1)   Len Blumin in Albany,California  2) US Fish and WIldlife Service


Hummingbird, Broad-tailed  Selasphorus platycercusFound:  North America
Photographed by:  1) John Ennis  2) Kalenkov  3) Danorton 
    4) Sandy Cole and Dick Daniels - Butterfly World in Florida
1, 2) Male  3, 4, 5) Female



Hummingbird, Rufous Selasphorus rufus   Found: North America
Photographed by 1 - 3) Dick Daniels in California   4) Sberardi
1 - 3) Male  4 Female


Hummingbird, Scintillant  Selasphorus scintilla  Found: Costa Rica, Panama
Photographed by: Len Blumin - Savegre Lodge, San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica


Hummingbird, Volcano  Selasphorus Flammula  Endemic to Costa Rica
Photographed by: Jerry Oldenettel - Mirador de Quetzals, Costa Rica



Genus Stellula - 1 species

Hummingbird, Calliope  Stellula calliope  Found: Mexico,  North America
Photographed by: 1) Wolfgang Wander    2, 3, 4) Ted Grussing in Sedona, AZ  5) Len Blumin




Genus Stephanoxis - 1 species

Plovercrest  Stephanoxis lalandi  Found: South America
Photographed by: 1, 2, 3) Dario Sanches - Campos do Jordão, Piraju, São Paulo, Brazil 



Genus Thalurania

Woodnymph, Green-crowned  Thalurania fannyi  Found: South America
Photographed by: 1) Michael Woodruff - Ecuador  2) Peregrinnator725 - Columbia
1) Male



Woodnymph, Violet-capped  Thalurania glaucopis  Found: South America
Photographed by: 1, 2, 3, 4) Dario Sanches - Brazil 
|

Woodnymph, Violet-crowned  Thalurania colombica  Found: South America
Photographed by: 1) Jerry Oldenettel - Costa Rica  2) Hans Hillewaert - Costa Rica
1) Male 2) Female



Genus Trochilus

Streamertail, Black-billed  Trochilus scitulus  Endemic to Jamaica
Photographed by: Dominic Sherony



Streamertail, Red-billed  Trochilus polytmus  Endemic to Jamaica
Photographed by: 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10) Dick Daniels - Lime Tree Farm, Blue Mountains, Jamaica  
    4 5, 6) Dick - Rockland Feeding Station, Jamaica
1 - 6) Male  7 - 10) Female