Hummingbirds are the most fascinating creatures present on the earth. They are mostly seen in flowering backyards. These birds have a very distinctive feature which is their long straight bill. Following are the types of hummingbirds which are present or native to Georgia.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds
In the summer season, this type of hummingbird is frequently seen in Georgia. Most of them spend their breeding season there, which is from March to November. Some of these birds migrate to the south in the winter season and some will live in the same area throughout the year. They start arriving in the United States in February.
In the spring season, the males travel 1 to 2 weeks before the departure of their female partners. Their length, width, and wingspan range from 7 to 9cm, 2 to 6cm, and 8 to 11cm respectively. These birds have bright green colors on their back and crown.
The underside is whitish-gray and males are having prominently red throats. They fly from one source to another in search of nectar or are dependent on the insects or entangled spider webs. Their legs are so small and they cannot walk but sometimes get shelter on a twig.
In the summer season, the edges of woodlands and flowering gardens are the favorite places their visit. They are also present on the nectar feeders. They build their nests on the fragile branches of trees. They usually lay 1 to 3 small eggs which are only 1.3cm in length. This is the only type of hummingbird which breed across the whole state of Georgia.
Calliope hummingbirds
These birds are called calliope because it is a Greek word meaning “beautiful voice”. These birds are accidentally present in Georgia but are mainly seen in Atlanta. These are used to call the smallest birds in the United States but they can fly up to 5000 miles in a year including migration. These birds have magenta throats, dark tails, and green-colored backs and flanks.
Their length, width, and wingspan range from 8to 9cm, 2.3 to 3.4cm, and 10.5 to 11cm respectively. They migrate to the Rocky Mountains in the spring season. Their breeding areas are California, Colorado, Alberta, and Columbia.
They started their migration in February and reached Canada at the start of May. In the fall season, they migrate to southwestern Mexico at the end of august and September. They prefer to live in conifer forests and older growths of forests.
Rufous hummingbirds
These birds are called the longest migratory birds. As compared to their size, they can travel 4000 miles. These are threatened species but are present in Georgia during the winter season. They are usually present there from November to February.
Their belly and back are bright orange and have a whitish patch underneath their neck. The males are usually having red throats. The back of the female is greenish-brown in color with a white belly. Their length, width, and wingspan range from 7 to 9cm, 2 to 5cm, and 11cm respectively. They spend their breeding season in Alaska, and summer season in northwest areas of Canada.
For the winter season, they travel to Mexico and Gulf Coast. Their migration period starts in February and they reach Alaska in April. In the fall season, they usually start migration in July and August and it ends in October.
They get nectar from the tubular flowers and consume flies, gnats, and midges as their food items. Coniferous forests and mountain meadows are their favorite places to visit. They lay 2 to 3 small white eggs which are 1.3cm in length. During the period of migration, they are very aggressive.
Green-breasted hummingbirds
These birds are usually found in Georgia, Mexico, and South America. Their habitat consists of tropical deciduous forests, wooded areas, and some open areas. They are rarely present in North America. These birds have glossy green colors on their backs.
Males have black-colored throats with bluish prints on their chests. Females are having white-colored underneath with bluish-green-colored feathers. Their length and weight are 11 to 12cm and 6.8 to 7.2g respectively.
Black-chinned hummingbirds
These birds are dull in appearance having metallic green color on their backs and underneath is grayish-black in color. The males are having black throats with a purple base but females are having pale throats and white tips are present on the feathers of tails.
The feathers of the primary wings and tail are reddish-brown and forked. In the summer season, these hummingbirds breed in British Columbia and Baja California. After the breeding period, they migrate to hilly areas having an excess of flowers. They usually migrate in March and September.
They are dependent on nectar, small insects, and spiders for food. Their tongues are so modified that they can lick 13 to 17 times in one second when feeding on nectar. Their nests are made up of plant matter and spider silk. They lay 1 to 2 small eggs which are white and 1.3cm in length. They are usually found on the top of some trees, on tiny branches, or on shady oaks.
Blue-throated hummingbirds
These birds are the largest of all the hummingbirds present in Georgia. The best place to spot these birds is woodland streams having a large number of flowers and backyard feeders. They usually feed in the early morning and late afternoon. Males have blue-colored throats. Both the partners have greenish back, white underneath, and white tips on the black feathers of the tail.
Due to their larger sizes, nests are also big to accommodate their sizes. Usually, their nests are 2 inches wide and 3 to 10 inches in height. Their length and weight are 11 to 12cm and 8.1 to 8.6g respectively.
Buff-bellied hummingbirds
These birds are also accidental species of Georgia and are usually present on Simon’s Island. These birds are of medium size and the bills of males are red with dark tips but females’ bills are darker as a whole. The Head and back are usually metallic olive in color.
Females are usually less colorful as compared to males Their length and weight range from 10 to 11cm and 2 to 5g respectively. In the winter season, they migrate to nearby areas in Louisiana and Florida. They prepare their nests from April to August, on small trees and shrubs, usually low to the ground.
They have 2 broods in a year and lay two white eggs. They prefer to live in semi-open areas or woodland edges. Sometimes they visit backyards for flowers and their nectars. Their diet sometimes consists of small insects too. You can attract these birds in your backyard with tubular flowers and nectar feeders.
Allen’s hummingbirds
These birds mostly live in Oregon, Georgia, and California and are similar to rufous hummingbirds. In winter, they live in Mexico and in January migrate to California and reached there in March. Some birds live in central Mexico and Los Angeles throughout the year. The narrow outer feathers of the tail differentiate these birds from rufous hummingbirds.
The males are having reddish orange throats, orange bellies, eye patches, and tails. Both the partners have long bills of straight structure and their backs are of green color. As compared to males, females are not having bright throat colors.
Their length, weight, and wingspan are 9cm, 2 to 4 g, and 11cm respectively. They build their nests close to the shady streams. These hummingbirds are having 3 broods in a year. In their natural habitat, they use plants such as monkey-flower, honeysuckle, and Fuchsia-flowered gooseberry to fulfill their nectar needs.
Broad-billed hummingbirds
These hummingbirds are more colorful compared to others. Males are usually metallic green in color with blue throat and chest. Females are having a pale-colored belly. Both males and females have red-colored beaks which are wide near the heads and tipped black.
Their length and weight range from 8 to 10cm and 3 to 4g respectively. They are present in areas of Mexico throughout the year. Some of these birds migrate to Arizona and New Mexico in March and September for breeding purposes.
Mountain meadows and canyon streams are their ideal places to live. They usually visit backyard feeders in search of Nectar. They build their nests on shrubs near to the ground almost 3 feet up, or close to the streams.
Broad-tailed hummingbirds
They live in higher areas mostly and breed in the areas such as high meadows, and open woodlands usually at 5000 to 10000 feet in May and August in south California. In the winter season, they usually migrate to Mexico but some birds stay on the gulf coast even in their winters. Migration usually starts in late August and September.
Their length and weight are 8 to 9cm and 2.8 to 4.5g respectively. These birds have greenbacks, brown wings, and white chests. Males are having rose-colored throats while females have green spots on their throats and cheeks region. Due to their stay at high altitudes, they can slow their heart rate and body temperature falls.
Sometimes these birds may visit nectar feeders in search of nectar. They also consume small insects and other creatures to feed their young ones. They build their nests on evergreen branches and use spiders’ webs. Overhanging branches provide insulation during colder nights.
