Wyoming is home to a variety of beautiful and fascinating hummingbirds. These tiny birds are a delight to watch as they flit from flower to flower, gathering nectar and insects. The high mountain peaks of the Rocky Mountains to the rolling hills of the Great Plains provide a perfect habitat for these birds. In this article, we will explore the common hummingbirds of Wyoming, their habitats, and the best places to observe them. So, if you’re looking to catch a glimpse of these amazing creatures, read on to learn more about the common hummingbirds of Wyoming.
Hummingbirds in Wyoming
Read on to learn more about the 7 hummingbirds that visit Wyoming.
Anna’s Hummingbird
- Calypte anna
- Size: 4″ (10 cm)
Identification and Color: Growing to only 4 inches in length, Anna’s Hummingbird is on the stocky side. They have a short, straight bill and long tail. Mostly green and grey, but males have iridescent pink around their heads. Both sexes have white on their undersides.
Habitat and Behavior: Found on the west coast year-round. Will visit feeders in gardens or parks. Can be located in open woods or by streams and rivers. They are very fast and can be hard to see while in motion. Will stop and hover over a flower or feeder to eat.
Diet: Anna’s Hummingbird diet consists of nectar and tiny insects.
What does Anna’s Hummingbird sound like?
Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna) · call
Thomas Magarian
2310 North Wygant Street, North Portland, Multnomah County, Oreg
More Anna’s Hummingbird Facts
Black-chinned Hummingbird
- Archilochus alexandri
- Size: 3.25″ (8.25 cm)
Identification and Color: A small and slender hummingbird. They have a metallic green head and tail that is not shiny. Males have a black throat with an iridescent purple stripe around it. Females have a paler throat. Has a long, black, narrow bill.
Habitat and Behavior: Found in the western United States and Mexico. Found in various areas like river groves, forests, and semi-arid locations. Males will display during the breeding season by diving steeply in the air. They will dart around flowers and eat insects on vegetation or in the air.
Diet: The Black-chinned Hummingbird enjoys nectar from flowers or hummingbird feeders. Will also eat tiny insects.
What does a Black-chinned Hummingbird sound like?
Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) · call, song, wing sound
Thomas G. Graves
Embudo Trail, Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States
More Black-chinned Hummingbird Facts
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
- Selasphorus platycercus
- Size: 3.5″ (9 cm)
Identification and Color: The broad-tailed hummingbird has a big head, slender body, and long straight bill. Iridescent green on top with a white chest and underparts. Males have a bright red throat patch. Females have green spots on the throat and a light ring around their eyes.
Habitat and Behavior: Found in the west, they like higher elevation areas. Including mountainous meadows, forests, and shrubby places. Males will fly high in the sky and dive steeply back down. A metallic sound can be heard from the wings.
Diet: Nectar and insects. Red tube-like flowers are preferred, and sometimes tiny insects.
What does a Broad-tailed Hummingbird sound like?
Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) · flight call
Sue Riffe
Lyons, Boulder County, Colorado, United States
More Broad-tailed Hummingbird Facts
Calliope Hummingbird
- Selasphorus calliope
- Size: 3″ (8 cm)
Identification and Color: A very small hummingbird between 3 and 3.5 inches in length. Males and females are green-yellow on top and white underparts. Males have magenta-purple lines on their throats. They have short wings, tails, and slender bills.
Habitat and Behavior: Located in the western United States and Mexico. The Calliope Hummingbird likes mountain meadows, thick glades, and canyon areas. Males will display by making dives in the air. These birds will forage low to the ground.
Diet: Will eat tiny insects from the ground. Enjoys nectar from flowers or feeders primarily.
What does a Calliope Hummingbird sound like?
Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) · call
Bruce Lagerquist
Liberty, Kittitas County, Washington, United States
More Calliope Hummingbird Facts
Rivoli’s Hummingbird
- Eugenes fulgens
- Size: 5.5″ (14 cm)
Identification and Color: Rivoli’s hummingbird is one of the two biggest species of hummingbirds with males generally bigger than females. Males have a blue-green throat. Has a tall, straight to slightly decurved black bill. Has iridescent plumage but both male and female appear dark.
Habitat and Behavior: Found from the southwestern United States to Central America. Seen in a variety of habitats but is most frequently found in dry pine-oak forests, specifically above 5,000 feet. Not as aggressive as other hummingbirds but will defend its territory near flowers or feeders when challenged. Will fly to catch insects in mid-air.
Diet: Feeds on nectar from flowers or hummingbird feeders. Also enjoys tiny insects.
What does a Rivoli’s Hummingbird sound like?
Rivoli’s Hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens) · call
Manuel Grosselet Georgita Ruiz
Oaxaca, San Augustin Etla, terreno de Golf, Mexico
More Rivoli’s Hummingbird Facts
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Archilochus colubris
- Size: 3.5″ (8 cm)
Identification and Color: The Ruby-throated Hummingbird has a brilliant green color on the tops of their heads and bodies and a grey to white underpart. The males have a red throat that can appear dark in poor lighting. A small bird between 2 and 3.5 inches in length. They also have very short wings. A long, slender slightly curved bill.
Habitat and Behavior: In the summer they are found throughout the midwest and the eastern United States but almost all leave for the winter. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird prefers open woodlands, meadows, and gardens. They can fly very fast and will forage from flowers or feeders.
Diet: Mostly nectar from flowers but will eat some small insects.
What does a Ruby-throated Hummingbird sound like?
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) · uncertain
Brian Hendrix
Hendrix Habitat – Fairview, Williamson County, Tennessee, United States
More Ruby-throated Hummingbird Facts
Rufous Hummingbird
- Selasphorus rufus
- Size: 3″ (7.5 cm)
Identification and Color: A smaller hummingbird with short wings, tapered tail feathers, and a straight bill. Males are bright orange with an iridescent red throat and white underparts. Females are green on top with duller orange colors.
Habitat and Behavior: Commonly breed and migrates to the western United States but may also spend winter months in the southeast. Exceptionally fast flyer and will often chase away other hummingbird species from food. Prefers open areas like yards, gardens, or edges of forests.
Diet: Prefers red tube-like flowers for nectar. It also eats tiny insects like spiders.
What does a Rufous Hummingbird sound like?
Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) · call, shuttle display, wing whirr
Eric DeFonso
Twin Spruce Rd area, Jefferson County, Colorado, United States
More Rufous Hummingbird Facts
Conclusion
As a result of their dazzling plumage and charming demeanor, hummingbirds have quickly become one of Wyoming’s most popular bird species. These little birds have made their presence known across the state of Wyoming, from the open plains of Cheyenne to the undulating hills of Laramie. The existence of hummingbirds in Wyoming serves as a timely reminder of the significance of protecting the natural world, as well as its inherent splendor and variety. It is imperative that we preserve the habitats of these extraordinary birds as the state continues to expand; this will ensure that future generations are able to appreciate the beauty and grace of these birds.
Before you go, be sure to check out our other articles about birds in Wyoming.
