Hummingbirds are one of the smallest and most fascinating birds found in Ohio. These tiny birds are often seen darting around in gardens, backyards, and parks, zooming through the air with their wings flapping at a lightning-fast speed of up to 70 beats per second.
With their shimmering feathers and iridescent colors, hummingbirds are a delight to watch, and their unique behavior and physical features make them stand out among other bird species.
Despite their small size, they play a significant role in pollination and are an essential part of Ohio’s biodiversity.
In this article, we will discuss the various types of hummingbirds found in Ohio, their habitat, behavior, and their significance in the ecosystem.
1. Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s hummingbird is a beautiful species of bird belonging to the Trochilidae family. Native to western coastal regions of North America, it was named after Anna Masséna, Duchess of Rivoli.
In the early 20th century, these birds bred only in northern Baja California and southern California but due to ornamental plant transplanting they can now be found across much of the Pacific Coast region.
They are medium-sized with bright emerald green feathers on their back and crowns as well as rose-red patches at the throat for males which makes them quite distinguishable from other birds.
Their diet consists mainly of nectar from flowers although they will occasionally feed on insects or spiders too making them important pollinators that help maintain healthy ecosystems.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae |
| Genus | Calypte |
| Species | C. anna |
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2. Allen’s Hummingbird
Allen’s Hummingbird is a beautiful species of hummingbird that breeds in the western United States. It stands only 3-3.5 inches long and its stunningly vibrant plumage makes it an incredible sight to behold.
The male has a green back and forehead, with rust-colored (rufous) flanks, rump, and tail while his throat dazzles with an iridescent orange coloration.
Females are similarly colored but lack the colorful throat patch of males.
These birds feed primarily on nectar from flowers such as sagebrush, California fuchsia, or currant bushes using their long bills and tongues to extract food from deep within them.
They also eat small insects for protein which they capture in flight like other hummingbirds do.
Allen’s Hummingbird can be found near chaparral shrubland during breeding season when wildflowers abound giving these tiny beauties plenty of sustenance.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae |
| Genus | Selasphorus |
| Species | S. sasin |
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3. Black-Chinned Hummingbird
The Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) is a small but widely distributed bird. It migrates to Mexico for the winter months, and in summer can be found across much of North America.
The Black-chinned Hummingbird has been known to hybridize with several other species such as Anna’s, Lucifer, Broad-tailed and Costa’s hummingbirds.
It prefers open habitats like desert scrub or grasslands that provide plenty of nectar from flowers.
These birds are also capable flyers, able to reach speeds of up to 34 miles per hour. With its dazzling plumage and impressive flying skills the Black-chinned Hummingbird makes an intriguing sight for any nature enthusiast lucky enough to spot one in the wild.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae |
| Genus | Archilochus |
| Species | A. alexandri |
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4. Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
The ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is a species of hummingbird that has an impressive migration pattern, spending the winter in Central America, Mexico, and Florida before flying to Canada and other parts of Eastern North America for the breeding season.
It’s by far the most common type seen east of the Mississippi River in North America.
Formally described by Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1758, this tiny bird has bright metallic green upperparts with white underparts, a small black bill, and a red throat patch which gives it its name; they measure around 3 inches long on average.
They feed primarily on nectar from flowers but also eat insects such as flies or mosquitoes for extra protein during their migrations or when raising young chicks.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae |
| Genus | Archilochus |
| Species | A. colubris |
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5. Rufous Hummingbird
The beautiful Rufous Hummingbird is a small bird of 8 cm in length, with a long slender beak. It stands out due to its extraordinary flight skills and incredible migratory transits- it can fly up to 2,000 miles.
This species was formally described by German naturalist Johann Friedric in 1788 and belongs to the genus Selasphorus.
These birds are found all over North America and parts of Mexico during summertime; while wintering in Central America or northern South America.
They feed on nectar from flowers as well as insects for protein intake. With their vibrant feathers, agile flying abilities, and fascinating life cycle they make an interesting addition to any backyard wildlife habitat.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae |
| Genus | Selasphorus |
| Species | S. rufus |
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6. Calliope Hummingbird
The Calliope hummingbird is the tiniest bird native to North America, stretching from California up through British Columbia.
During winter it will travel down as far south as Mexico and Central America before returning north for breeding season.
It was previously thought to be the only member of its genus Stellula but recently has been reclassified under Selasphorus due to genetic similarities with other birds in that group.
Its bright colors are an unmistakable sight and they love sipping on nectar from flowers or sugar water feeders placed outside windows.
They’re a popular delight among both wildlife photographers and amateur bird enthusiasts alike.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae |
| Genus | Selasphorus |
| Species | S. calliope |
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7. Broad-Tailed Hummingbird
The Broad-tailed hummingbird is a beautiful medium-sized bird found in highland regions from the western United States and Western Canada to Mexico and Guatemala.
It has an overall length of 4 inches (10 cm) with a wingspan of 5.25 inches (13.3 cm). Its weight ranges around 3.6 grams(0.13 oz), with females slightly larger than males on average.
This tiny marvel boasts vibrant green upperparts, pinkish underparts, a white throat patch, a forked tail tipped with black feathering, and colorful glossy gorget feathers that vary across the sexes; males being iridescent red while females are buffy orange or yellow coloration.
The broad-tailed hummingbird feeds mainly on nectar but also consumes small insects to supplement their diet providing them much-needed protein content necessary for growth and development during the migration season ahead.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae |
| Genus | Selasphorus |
| Species | S. platycercus |
8. Mexican Violetear
The Mexican Violetear is a gorgeous bird with metallic green feathers and a unique violet ear patch. It belongs to the order Apodiformes, which includes hummingbirds as well as swifts such as the white-throated needletail.
Native to Mexico, Nicaragua, and several other Central American countries, it can typically be found in forested areas.
The species was once considered conspecific with another hummingbird called the lesser violetear but has since been identified separately by scientists.
These birds are medium-sized and feed on nectar from flowers that they access using their long curved bills – a trait shared by many members of this family of birds.
They also eat small insects for extra energy during migration or nesting season when food sources may become scarce.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae |
| Genus | Colibri |
| Species | C. thalassinus |
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9. Selasphorus
Selasphorus is a hummingbird genus found in the Middle and North America regions. They were first introduced in 1832 by William John Swainson to accommodate the rufous hummingbird, which is now the type species.
The word Selasphorus is derived from the Ancient Greek words selas, meaning “light” or “flame” and -phoros, meaning “-carrying”.
There are a total of nine species in this genus. These birds are known for their vibrant colors, small size, and rapid wing movements.
Just like all other hummingbirds, Selasphorus birds are nectar feeders and play a crucial role in pollination.
They are known for their aerial acrobatics and are capable of hovering in mid-air to feed on nectar or catch insects.
Overall, Selasphorus birds are fascinating creatures that add beauty and vitality to their habitats.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Clade | Strisores |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae |
| Subfamily | Trochilinae |
| Tribe | Mellisugini |
| Genus | Selasphorus Swainson, 1832 |
To Recap
Our exploration of the nine hummingbird species that inhabit Ohio has revealed the enchanting world of these tiny, vibrant birds.
Ohio serves as a crucial stopover and breeding ground for these migratory wonders, adding to the state’s natural beauty.
From the iridescent Ruby-throated hummingbird to the rare sightings of Rufous and Anna’s hummingbirds, Ohio offers a diverse range of hummingbird species to observe and admire.
As we conclude our journey, it’s vital to recognize the importance of creating and maintaining hummingbird-friendly habitats, providing nectar sources, and ensuring safe migration routes.
By nurturing these efforts, we can help sustain and protect Ohio’s hummingbird populations, allowing these dazzling creatures to continue bringing joy and wonder to our state for generations to come.