Identification Tips: Black-chinned Hummingbird

Adult male:

Female/Immatures:

Similar species:

Males unmistakable with a good view. Females are similar to a number of other female hummingbirds, and are best told from the Calliope Hummingbird and species in the genus Selasphorus by their lack of rufous on the flanks and in the tail. Anna's Hummingbirds are larger and have grayer chests, while Costa's Hummingbirds differ only in subtleties of facial pattern and tail pattern. Black-chinned Hummingbird females are not safely separable from female Ruby-throateds except in the hand. Best told from all species except Ruby-throated Hummingbird by call.    BACK


Identification Tips: Anna's Hummingbird

Adult male:

Female/Immatures:

Similar species:

Males unmistakable when red crown is seen but beware of poor lighting conditions. Females and immatures are fairly large and gray breasted, and often show the distinctive rosy-red gorget color on the throat. Costa's and the two Archilochus hummingbirds are the most likely identification contenders, but are smaller with whiter breasts and different call notes.    BACK


Identification Tips: Costa's Hummingbird

Adult male:

Female/Immatures:

Similar species:

The adult male Lucifer Hummingbird is similar in plumage to the adult male Costa's, but is easily separated in the narrow zone of overlap between the two species by its strongly decurved bill and forked tail. The female Lucifer is strongly buffy below and has a decurved bill and forked tail. The female Costa's is similar to the female and immature Anna's, but typically is smaller, with a cleaner throat and whiter underparts. Archilochus hummingbird females are also similar but tend to have streaked throats. Female Costa's are separable also by subtleties of tail pattern and call notes.    BACK


Identification Tips: Calliope Hummingbird

Adult male:

Female/Immature:

Similar species:

The smallest North American hummingbird, females are best separated by their short tail and small size. The rufous wash on the flanks should safely separate females and immatures from all species except the three Selasphorus hummingbirds, which all typically have much more rufous in the tail. The streaked gorget of adult males should make them instantly identifiable. Calliope is the only species where the tail does not extend past the wings when at rest.    BACK


Identification Tips: Rufous Hummingbird

Adult male:

Adult female:

Similar species:

Adult males can be confused only with Allen's Hummingbird. Rufous-backed males are certainly Rufous Hummingbirds, but care should be taken as some Rufous have variable amounts of green on the back and crown. Females and immatures are easily identified as a Selasphorus by the rufous in the tail. Female and immature Broad-tailed Hummingbirds have less rufous on the inner tail feathers, whitish, not rusty undertail coverts and more blue-green backs, as well as being larger with different calls. Female and immature Calliope Hummingbirds are smaller with shorter bills and less rusty backs. Rufous and Allen's females and immatures are inseparable in the field.    BACK


Identification Tips: Allen's Hummingbird

Adult male:

  • Rufous flanks, rump, and tail
  • Green back and crown
  • Brownish-red face
  • Bright red gorget
  • White breast

    Adult female:

    Similar species:

    Some adult male of Rufous Hummingbirds have variable amounts of green in the back and crown. Females and immatures are easily identified as a Selasphorus by the rufous in the tail. Female and immature Broad-tailed Hummingbirds have less rufous on the inner tail feathers, whitish, not rusty undertail coverts and more blue-green backs, as well as being larger with different calls. Female and immature Calliope Hummingbirds are smaller with shorter bills and less rusty backs. Rufous and Allen's females and immatures are inseparable in the field.        BACK