7 Beautiful hummingbirds in Montana [Pictures + IDs]

Montana is home to a diverse range of bird species, including several species of hummingbirds. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the different types of hummingbirds found in Montana, their habitats, behaviors, and conservation status.

From the common and colorful Rufous Hummingbird to the rarer and more elusive Calliope Hummingbird, we’ll explore these fascinating birds and their roles in Montana’s ecosystems. We’ll also provide tips on how to spot and identify these birds in the wild, as well as some resources for further reading and exploration.

Whether you’re an avid birdwatcher, a nature enthusiast, or simply curious about the wildlife in your area, we invite you to join us on a journey to discover the amazing world of hummingbirds in Montana!

7 Types of Hummingbirds in Montana

1. Anna’s Hummingbird
2. Black-Chinned Hummingbird
3. Rufous Hummingbird
4. Calliope Hummingbird
5. Costa’s Hummingbird
6. Broad-Tailed Hummingbird
7. Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds

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• Scientific name: Archilochus colubris
• Lifespan: 3 to 5 years in the wild
• Weight: 2.5 to 4 grams
• Size: 7 to 9 cm (2.8 to 3.5 inches) in length, with a wingspan of 8 to 11 cm (3.1 to 4.3 inches)
• Origin: Found throughout eastern North America, from southern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, as well as in some parts of Central America during migration.

The male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have an iridescent red throat, and both sexes have bright green throats and back with gray-white undersides. Female Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have white undersides, greenbacks, and brownish crowns and sides.

The only hummingbird species that breeds in eastern North America is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, which subsequently migrates farther south to Central America. Some travel across Texas along the coast or over the Gulf of Mexico. For breeding, they begin to arrive in the deep south in February and may not reach the northern states and Canada until May. They go south In September and August.

These little birds fly from one nectar source to another, catching insects in the air or on the webs of spiders. They will sometimes rest on a tiny branch, but because of their short legs, they can only shuffle along a perch and can’t walk.

The best locations to look for them outside in the summer are flowering gardens or forest margins. They are very widespread in urban areas, particularly around nectar feeders.

Male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are aggressive in the protection of feeders and flowers. After mating, they do not stay around for very long and may migrate by early august.

Ruby-throated females make their nests on thin branches out of thistle or dandelion down that are bound together by spider silk. They lay 1-3 eggs that are only 0.6 inches in diameter (1.3 cm)

Black-chinned Hummingbird

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• Scientific name: Archilochus alexandri
• Lifespan: Up to 10 years in the wild
• Weight: 3 to 3.5 grams
• Size: 8.5 to 10.5 cm (3.3 to 4.1 inches) in length, with a wingspan of 11 to 13 cm (4.3 to 5.1 inches)
• Origin: Found in western North America, from the western United States to northern Mexico.

Black-chinned Hummingbirds have grayish-white undersides and dull metallic green backs. The females have a light neck and white tail feather tips, while the males have a black throat with a thin, iridescent purple base.

Black-chinned hummingbirds mostly breed inland in western states, and during the winter they travel to western Mexico and the Gulf Coast.

They eat nectar, tiny insects, and spiders. While consuming nectar, their tongues can lick 13–17 times per second.

Black-chinned Hummingbirds lay 2 white, tiny eggs that are barely 0.6 inches long in their nests, which are made of plant down and spider silk to keep them together (1.3 cm)

Black-chinned Hummingbirds often return to a favorite perch and are frequently seen perched at the tops of dead trees on small, bare limbs. They may be found among shaded oaks on the Gulf Coast or by canyons and rivers in the Southwest.

Rufous Hummingbird

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• Scientific name: Selasphorus rufus
• Lifespan: 3 to 5 years in the wild
• Weight: 2.7 to 4.3 grams
• Size: 7 to 9 cm (2.8 to 3.5 inches) in length, with a wingspan of 11 cm (4.3 inches)
• Origin: Found in western North America, from Alaska to Mexico

Rufous Hummingbirds are bright orange on the back and belly, have a white patch below the neck, and have an iridescent red throat. The females have a pale belly and a back that is greenish-brown and rusty in color.

As compared to their size, rufous hummingbirds have one of the longest migration routes, covering up to 4000 kilometers on each trip. They move south to Mexico and the Gulf Coast to spend the winter after breeding in northwest Alaska.

In the spring, they go north along the Pacific Coast, and in the late summer and autumn, they pass past the Rocky Mountains.

The main sources of food for rufous hummingbirds are nectar from vibrant tubular flowers and insects including gnats, midges, and flies. They use soft plant down and spider webs to keep their nest together as they make it high up in the trees. They lay two or three very little, white eggs that are 0.5 in (1.3 cm) long.

They are quite hostile and will attack any other hummingbirds that appear, even bigger ones or those who are resident during migration. They won’t stay around for very long during migration and will often chase off other hummingbirds if they have the opportunity. They inhabit mountain meadows and, during the winter, woodlands, and woods.

Anna’s Hummingbirds

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• Scientific name: Calypte anna
• Lifespan: Up to 10 years in the wild
• Weight: 3.5 to 6 grams
• Size: 9 to 11 cm (3.5 to 4.3 inches) in length, with a wingspan of 12 to 13 cm (4.7 to 5.1 inches)
• Origin: Found on the western coast of North America, from southern Alaska to Baja California

Little Anna’s Hummingbirds are mostly green and grey in color. The female’s neck is grey with spots of red whereas the male’s head and throat are iridescent reddish-pink.

Anna’s Hummingbird is the most common non-migratory hummingbird along the Pacific Coast. The males do a stunning dive performance during mating, climbing as high as 130 feet in the air before plummeting back to the earth while making a loud noise with their tail feathers.

While they may also be found in scrub and savannah, Anna’s hummingbirds prefer the backyards and parks with, vibrant flowers and nectar feeders.

The nests of Anna’s hummingbirds are located high in trees, between 6 and 20 feet above, and they often have two to three broods each year.

Calliope Hummingbird

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• Scientific name: Selasphorus calliope
• Lifespan: 3 to 5 years in the wild
• Weight: 2 to 2.5 grams
• Size: 7 to 8 cm (2.8 to 3.1 inches) in length, with a wingspan of 11 cm (4.3 inches)
• Origin: Found in western North America, from southern Canada to Mexico

The Calliope Hummingbird, the tiniest bird in America with the size of a ping pong ball, travels more than 5000 miles annually from Mexico to Canada and back. Moreover, they fight valiantly to protect their territory and even pursue Red-tailed Hawks.

Male Calliope Hummingbirds have shiny green backs and sides, brilliant magenta throats (known as the gorget), and black tails. The underside of females is more pinkish-white than white, unlike that of males, who have iridescent throats.

They migrate in spring from the Pacific Coast to breeding grounds in California, Colorado, and up to northern states and Canada, They migrate pretty early and arrive between the middle of April and the beginning of May.

Their nests are often found on evergreen trees and may be reused or built over an older nest.

Allen’s Hummingbird

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• Scientific name: Selasphorus sasin
• Lifespan: 3 to 5 years in the wild
• Weight: 2.5 to 3.5 grams
• Size: 7 to 9 cm (2.8 to 3.5 inches) in length, with a wingspan of 11 cm (4.3 inches)
• Origin: Found in western North America, from Alaska to Mexico

It may be difficult to distinguish Allen’s Hummingbirds from Rufous Hummingbirds in the little area of coastal woodland and scrub between California and Oregon that they inhabit.

Male Allen’s Hummingbirds have orange bellies, tails, and eye patches along with iridescent reddish-orange throats. The females lack the brilliant throat color, but both sexes have long, straight bills and coppery-green backs.

The Allen’s Hummingbird’s small outer tail feathers are what set it apart from Rufous Hummingbirds. They may have up to three broods a year and build nests at no particular height along shaded streams.

Allen’s Hummingbirds move up to the Pacific Coast in California and Oregon as early as January and spend the winter in Mexico. Some continue to live in Los Angeles and central Mexico.

Costa’s Hummingbird

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• Scientific name: Calypte costae
• Lifespan: Up to 5 years in the wild
• Weight: 3 to 4 grams
• Size: 8 to 10 cm (3.1 to 3.9 inches) in length, with a wingspan of 12 to 13 cm (4.7 to 5.1 inches)
• Origin: Found in the southwestern United States and Mexico, primarily in desert and scrubland habitats.

Costa’s Hummingbirds are mostly desert-dwelling hummingbirds with eye-catching, outward-curving purple neck patches and purple crowns. Their bellies are white with green coloration on the sides, and their backs are green. Female Costa’s Hummingbirds have a more white belly and lack the purple tint.

Baja California, southern California, and southwestern Arizona are home to Costa’s Hummingbirds. Also, throughout the winter, they go between Mexico’s Pacific Coast and Arizona, the southern reaches of Nevada Utah, and California for breeding.

Costa’s Hummingbirds live in desert scrub, chaparral, and deciduous forests, and they frequent a wide variety of plant types. They may have up to two broods a year and build their nests in bushes between three and seven feet from the ground.

Conclusion

Montana is home to a variety of hummingbird species that provide a delightful sight for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts alike. Despite their small size, these tiny birds are known for their agility and speed, making them a fascinating subject of study. Montana’s diverse habitats provide ideal breeding and nesting grounds for these birds, making the state an excellent place to observe them in their natural habitat. By providing food and shelter for hummingbirds, we can ensure that these beautiful creatures continue to thrive in Montana and beyond. Overall, the presence of hummingbirds in Montana adds to the state’s rich biodiversity and natural beauty, making it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the natural world

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What species of hummingbirds can be found in Montana?

A: The most common species of hummingbirds found in Montana are the Rufous Hummingbird and the Calliope Hummingbird.

Q: When do hummingbirds typically arrive in Montana?

A: Hummingbirds usually arrive in Montana in late April or early May, depending on weather and migration patterns.

Q: How can I attract hummingbirds to my yard in Montana?

A: You can attract hummingbirds to your yard in Montana by providing a sugar-water feeder, planting a variety of nectar-rich flowers, and avoiding the use of pesticides and insecticides.

Q: When is the best time to see hummingbirds in Montana?

A: The best time to see hummingbirds in Montana is during their breeding season, which is typically from June to August.

Q: Do hummingbirds migrate through Montana in the fall?

A: Yes, hummingbirds usually migrate through Montana in the fall on their way to their wintering grounds in Mexico or Central America.

Q: Are there any hummingbird festivals or events in Montana?

A: Yes, the Montana Audubon Society holds an annual Hummingbird Festival in late August in Lolo, Montana.