There are more than 300 hummingbird species in the world, but only a handful are commonly seen in North America. Here are the ones you are most likely to spot at your feeder.
The most common backyard species
The ruby-throated hummingbird is the main species across the eastern United States and Canada, while the west hosts more variety. Annas hummingbird is a year-round resident along the Pacific coast, the rufous hummingbird is known for its long migration and orange colour, and the black-chinned hummingbird is widespread in the west. Learn more about the eastern favourite on our ruby-throated hummingbird page.
How to tell species apart
Look at the throat patch, called a gorget, which is often the easiest clue on males. Ruby-throated males show a brilliant red throat, Annas males have a rose-pink crown and throat, and rufous males glow orange. Females and young birds are much harder to identify and often look similar across species, so many birders note range, season and behaviour rather than colour alone. Visit our hummingbird hub for more guides.
Range and overlap
Where you live narrows the possibilities quickly. East of the Great Plains, a hummingbird in summer is almost always a ruby-throated. In the west, several species can share the same area, especially during migration. Seasonal timing helps too, so it is worth knowing when hummingbirds come back in spring and when different species pass through your region.