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Trying to identify the hummingbird zipping around your yard?
Hummingbirds are one of the most fascinating creatures that you can find in your backyard. It really helps to know what species of hummingbirds live in Illinois.
While the list below contains all the usual hummingbirds found in Illinois, it’s possible to find a vagrant species of hummingbird that’s not native to Illinois. This is rare but not unheard of.
The following legend can be used for each hummingbird species map to determine what time of year you can see each hummingbird in your area.
The 6 Hummingbird Species of Illinois
Allen’s Hummingbird
Selasphorus sasin
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Size: 3.2 – 3.6 in (8-9 cm)
Overview
This small but territorial hummingbird has a medium-short to medium black bill and an extensive rufous plumage. It was named after the Californian bird collector, Charles A. Allen. Allen’s hummingbird has the most restricted breeding ranges of all native North American hummingbirds. Though their habitat has been altered by humans, they’ve adapted well to urban and suburban environments – zipping from feeder to feeder. In their natural environment, they use native plant species such as honeysuckle, bush-monkeyflower, and fuchsia-flowered gooseberry for their nectar needs.
How to Identify
The Allen’s Hummingbird is very difficult to distinguish from the Rufous Hummingbird. In fact, the female and immature males of both species are pretty much indistinguishable. In the adult male, the Allen’s Hummingbird has a green back and rump, but a rufous tail, and the Rufous Hummingbird usually has a rufous back, rump and tail. That’s the easiest way to distinguish the two.
Allen’s Hummingbird Range & Migration Map
The range of Allen’s Hummingbid is one of the smallest and restrictive of all North American Hummingbirds. They’re a common summer resident of northern coastal California and southern Oregon and a year-long resident of southern Californa. During migratory season, can be found in Arizona and even New Mexico.
Anna’s Hummingbird
Calypte anna
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Size: 3.5 – 4in (9-10cm)
Overview
Originally a native to California, the Anna’s Hummingbird is quite adaptable allowing it to expand its range northward and eastward chasing exotic flowers in urban gardens. It’s named in honor of Anna Massena, the Duchess of Rivoli and a generous patron of science. During the winter Anna’s hummingbird has been observed eating insects such as gnats and even eating sand and ashes – likely to provide essential minerals.
How to Identify
Anna’s Hummingbird is a medium-sized hummingbird with a medium sized straight black. bill. The male sports a red gorget. Unlike the Black-Chinned and Costa’s Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird normally holds its tail still while hovering.
Anna’s Hummingbird Range & Migration Map
Anna’s Hummingbird is a common resident in California but has extended its range north towards the western coast of Washington and southeast to southern part of Arizona. It’s a rare winterer of western Texas.
Broad-Billed Hummingbird
Cynanthus latirostris
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Size: 3.5 – 4in (9-10cm)
Overview
This southwestern hummingbird is one of the most mild-tempered. It’s rare to see two males fighting over territory or females. Their quite uninspired name comes from the literal translation of its species name – cynanthus latirostris. It’s sound is unique from all other North American hummingbirds as it consists mostly of raspy and almost insect-like chattering.
How to Identify
The male Broad-Billed hummingbird is easy to distinguish. Some of it’s more defining features include a long broad bill, long and constantly-moving tail, and a glittering sapphire blue neck.The female and male are close in size and proportions.
Broad-Billed Hummingbird Range & Migration Map
The Broad-Bill Hummingbird is a rare resident in shrub thickets and canyons. Most often found in southern Arizona and southwest New Mexico at elevations above 5,000ft. In migratory season, this hummingbird has also been sighted in Texas and California.
Broad-Tailed Hummingbird
Selasphorus platycercus
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Size: 3.75 – 4in (9.5 – 11cm)
Overview
This medium-sized hummingbird is one of the most hummingbirds of the Rocky Mountains. Their call, which resembles the ringing of tiny bells, is a common sound during the Rocky Mountain summers. Fun fact, a female Broad-Tailed Hummingbird is the oldest known wild hummingbird in the United States reaching a ripe old age of 12 years.
How to Identify
The Broad-Tailed male hummingbird sports a hot pink gorget which contrasts with a white breast. It’s medium-sized with a a decently long tail and straight black bill. It’s a mild-manned hummingbird that is easily bullied by other hummingbirds.
Broad-Tailed Hummingbird Range & Migration Map
The Broad-Tailed Hummingbird breeds from Wyoming and central Idaho down to Mexico. Winters in Mexico and can rarely be found along the Gulf of Mexico states. It prefers mountain forests and woodlands.
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Size: 3.25 – 3.75 in (8.5 – 9.5cm)
Overview
The ruby-throated hummingbird is one of the most commonly found hummingbirds of the United States. In fact, it’s the only one that breeds east of the Mississippi River. To reach these eastern breeding grounds, the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird takes a perilous route of flying over 500 miles non-stop over the Gulf of Mexico.
How to Identify
This hummingbird is on the smaller side. The male sports a handsome scarlet gorget and a black chin strap which distinguishes it from the Anna’s and Broad-Tailed hummingbirds.
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Range & Migration Map
The Ruby-Throated hummingbird breeds in eastern United States and prefers hardwood, pine and mixed forests starting in the spring and retreats to Mexico in the winter.
Rufous Hummingbird
Selasphorus rufus
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Size: 3.5 – 4in (9 – 10cm)
Overview
The Rufous Hummingbird breeds farther north than any other hummingbird in the United States. It’s an aggressive species which makes it an unwelcome guest among hummingbird feeders. This hummingbird is an important part of the Pacific Northwest ecosystem, acting as a pollinator where the insects are at a disadvantage due to their cold-bloodedness.
How to Identify
The most distinguishing feature of the Rufous Hummingbird is the male’s rufous gorget that’s hard to miss. It’s a relatively small hummingbird with a short black bill. With the rufous plumage and aggressive behaviour, you’ll have no problem identifying male Rufous Hummingbirds.
Rufous Hummingbird Range & Migration Map
The Rufous Hummingbird breeds from the southeastern tip of Alaska down to the northern most parts of California, going as far east as Montana. During the winter, it migrates down to the Gulf of Mexico states.
How to Attract Illinois Hummingbirds to Your Yard
Want to see more hummingbirds in your backyard?
We have all the information you need on our site to help you do that. First, we recommend you read our guide on how to attract hummingbirds to your yard. That’ll give you the basics of what’s required to attract hummingbirds.
Then, we’d recommend reading our buyer’s guide on choosing the best hummingbird feeder. Setting up a hummingbird feeder or two is the best way to guarantee that hummingbirds will visit your yard.
There are a bunch of other ways to attract hummingbirds such as getting a bird bath and planting native flowers that attract hummingbirds.
All State Hummingbirds
Want to see what hummingbirds species are found in other states? Here’s our complete list of hummingbirds found in each state:
Great information I didn’t know anything about them. My daughter bought me a feeder and I fell in love with them, bought another feeder. So fascinating to watch these birds. I now have named all of the visitors, big small and tiny beautiful amazing 3 different. Never thought I would be with binoculars excited to see them every day.
What time of year do Humming Birds migrate out of Illinois I have one still hanging around my back yard and it is almost October