The hot and humid climate of Florida supports an assortment of different bird species. Indeed, Florida is home to a fantastic assortment of raptors and birds that thrive in wetlands. However, many are interested in knowing more about Florida’s smallest birds: hummingbirds. Fortunately, those who wish to know about the hummingbirds in Florida are in luck, as I have created this definitive guide to the hummingbirds in Florida.
Before we discuss Florida hummingbirds, let’s verify that hummingbirds can be found in the Sunshine State. Are there hummingbirds in Florida?
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Are There Hummingbirds In Florida
Most would assume that Florida with be a state that supports an immense amount of hummingbird diversity. Indeed, Florida is rich in the flowering plants that hummingbirds seek, but does this mean that hummingbirds can be found here? Are there hummingbirds in Florida?
Yes, there are hummingbirds in Florida! In fact, no less than 11 Florida hummingbird species have been observed. Knowing this may lead some to believe that Florida is rich in hummingbird diversity, but it turns out that the inverse is true. Indeed, most of the 11 hummingbird species that have been seen in Florida were merely vagrants. So, what types of hummingbirds in Florida can be routinely observed? Let’s find out!
Types of Hummingbirds In Florida
If you were to guess how many of Florida’s 11 recorded hummingbird species breed in the state, what would you say? Well, if you guessed any number greater than 1, you would be incorrect. That’s right – only 1 of the types of hummingbirds in Florida breed in the state.
Now, if you’ve read other articles about this topic, you may be perplexed right now. Indeed, other sources on the internet suggest that there are between 8 to 11 hummingbird species within the state. However, this is a misleading assertion, as there have been more than 1,000 eBird records of four different hummingbirds of Florida. This means that 7 of Florida’s 11 hummingbirds are quite rare. Realistically, birders should only expect to observe a single Florida hummingbird species if they visit the state.
Let’s go into more detail about these four Florida hummingbird species.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is Florida’s only breeding hummingbird. Indeed, although small in size, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have brilliant colors that would even make some of Florida’s parrots envious. Males and females both have emerald green backs, while males exclusively have the namesake ruby throats.
These common hummingbirds in Florida can be found throughout the state during their migration, however, they are uncommon hummingbirds in south Florida during the summer breeding season. Fortunately, there are strong numbers of these hummingbirds in central Florida and northern Florida.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds make their nests in the forks of trees or shrubs. They seek sheltered, quiet locales near ample food for their breeding territories.
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Black-chinned Hummingbirds are seen almost annually in Florida despite their nearest breeding range being in Texas. Nonetheless, vagrants may show up on their migrations between September through April.
Black-chinned Hummingbirds bear many similarities to the far more common Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. Females are often impossible to distinguish, while mature males possess the namesake black throats.
Many of the records of Black-chinned Hummingbirds have come from metropolitan areas around Tampa Bay, Orlando, and Tallahassee. However, this is likely just the result of increased birder presence in these areas. A great way to attract this Florida hummingbird would be to place hummingbird feeders on a property, as they’ll readily visit these fixtures.
Buff-bellied Hummingbird
Unlike the other hummingbirds on this list, Buff-bellied Hummingbirds are nearly sexually monomorphic, with very subtle differences existing between males and females.
These Florida hummingbirds have been observed in the state about the same number of times as Black-chinned Hummingbirds. This species is common along the eastern half of Mexico, while the closest breeders are in southern Texas. Interestingly, Buff-bellied Hummingbirds disperse to both the south and northeast along the Gulf of Mexico following the breeding season. This means that parts of the Florida panhandle seem to be within the expected winter range of this Florida hummingbird species.
Northern Florida is certainly the best place to look for Buff-bellied Hummingbirds, but they may rarely show up in other parts of the state. Try enticing them to visit your property by supplying sugar water and flowers from which they can feed.
Rufous Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbirds are the Florida hummingbird with the second-most observations, as nearly 3,000 eBird reports from the state have detected this species.
September through April is the best time to look for these hummingbirds in Florida, as this coincides with their migrations. Although their nearest consistent breeding range would be New Mexico, it is widely known that Rufous Hummingbirds tend to get off course more than other North American hummingbirds during migration. Interestingly, research suggests that a small population of these birds intentionally winter in Alabama and Florida.
These tiny hummingbirds have been observed throughout the entirety of Florida, so they may show up anywhere during migration. Finding them is merely a matter of luck, but they can be attracted by the usual hummingbird offerings: flowers and sugar water feeders.
When Are Hummingbirds In Florida
Those who hope to observe a hummingbird in Florida will doubtlessly want to know when the best time to observe them would be. So, do hummingbirds live in Florida year-round – when are hummingbirds in Florida?
Well, thanks to Florida’s hot and humid climate, hummingbird season in Florida is throughout the year in the Sunshine State! This is possible thanks to perpetually blooming flowers and many residents who place sugar water feeders on their properties.
The familiar Ruby-throated Hummingbird can be found throughout the year in Florida. While they’re common in northern Florida and uncommon South Florida hummingbirds during the breeding season, the inverse is true during winter. Indeed, this bird is common in southern Florida and uncommon in northern Florida during the nonbreeding season.
Summer is the worst time to try and discover vagrant hummingbirds in Florida. Instead, keep an eye out for wandering hummingbirds during the nonbreeding season that runs from September through April.
How To Attract Hummingbirds In Florida
Anyone who wants to observe a Florida will surely want to know how to attract hummingbirds in Florida. So, what can someone do to attract hummingbirds to their Florida yard?
Well, attracting hummingbirds to a Florida yard is no different than attracting them to a yard elsewhere in the United States. Fortunately, hummingbirds are consistent in the things that they seek out. Of course, supplying sugar water feeders or nectar feeders is an easy and practical way to entice hummingbirds to visit a yard. Additionally, providing sufficient cover for them to hide from predators is essential. Therefore, having a wide array of trees and shrubs may help you attract hummingbirds as well as a wide variety of small backyard birds.
Another simple way to prompt hummingbirds to visit your yard is by planting an assortment of flowering plants. While this may sound easy enough, many may wonder what type of plants are best for hummingbirds. So, what are some plants that attract hummingbirds in Florida?
Plants That Attract Hummingbirds In Florida
Not all flowers are created equal in the eyes of hummingbirds. Indeed, it is well-established that they select flowers that are certain colors or shapes, so what choices work best for hummingbirds?
Well, hummingbirds love any bright color. Although many assert that they like red more than other colors, this notion hasn’t been confirmed. While any brightly-colored flowers may attract hummingbirds in Florida, the shape of the flowers may dictate if a hummingbird visits or not.
Hummingbirds seem to prefer drinking nectar from tube-shaped flowers, as their bills have evolved to enable them to lap up nectar from these flowers.
Therefore, the following flowers are excellent choices for hummingbirds:
- Cardinal flowers
- Columbine
- Fuchsias
- Petunias
- Bee balm
- Zinnias