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Hummingbird Species
Hummingbirds are found only in the Western Hemisphere, with almost half the species living in the "equatorial belt" between 10 degrees north and south of the equator. According to the International Ornithologists' Union (IOU), the hummingbird family has 366 species and 112 genera, mostly south of the United States. Hummingbirds comprise the family Trochilidae, among the smallest of birds, with most species measuring in the 3"-5" range. They are called hummingbird due to the "humming" sound created by beating their wings, which flap at high frequencies audible to other birds as well as humans.
These tiny birds can be found in North America, Central America, South America and many islands of the Caribbean Sea.
Many hummingbirds spend the winter in Central America or Mexico, and migrate north to their breeding grounds in the southern United States as early as February, and to areas further north later in the spring. The first arrivals in spring are usually males. Other species are permanent residents of Central America and South America.
Many species are found in multiple countries of Central America and South America. Others are endemic to only one country, including the Honduran Emerald in Honduras and the Coppery-headed Emerald in Costa Rica.
Fewer than two dozen species venture into the United States and Canada, and only a few species remain year-round in North America.
Common Hummingbird Species in the United States and Canada
Hummingbird Species in Mexico and Central American Countries
| Country | Number of Species | Read More |
| Mexico | 58 | Hummingbirds of Mexico |
| Guatemala | 39 | Hummingbirds of Guatemala |
| Belize | 26 | Hummingbirds of Belize |
| Honduras | 42 | Hummingbirds of Honduras |
| El Salvador | 23 | Hummingbirds of El Salvador |
| Nicaragua | 34 | Hummingbirds of Nicaragua |
| Costa Rica | 54 | Hummingbirds of Costa Rica |
| Panama | 59 | Hummingbirds of Panama |
Photo Highlights of Hummingbirds Found in Central America
Purple-throated Mountain-gem |
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Coppery-headed Emerald |
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Violet Sabrewing |
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| Coppery-headed Emerald |
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| View more photos of the hummingbirds of Central America | |
Number of Hummingbird Species in South American Countries
| Country | Number of Species | Read More |
| Colombia | 165 | Hummingbirds of Colombia |
| Ecuador | 132 | Hummingbirds of Ecuador |
| Peru | 124 | Hummingbirds of Peru |
| Venezuela | 100 | Hummingbirds of Venezula |
| Bolivia | 83 | Hummingbirds of Bolivia |
| Brazil | 81 | Hummingbirds of Brazil |
| Guyana | 39 | |
| Argentina | 36 | |
| Suriname | 35 | |
| French Guyana | 32 | |
| Paraguay | 20 | |
| Chile | 10 | |
| Uruguay | 6 |
Hummingbird Species in South America Listed by Country
Included below is a list of 290 hummingbird species in South America, in alphabetical order. Checkmarks indicate which species are found in each South American country.
Click the image below for a complete list of species in PDF format. Or click here to view the species list (PDF)
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What Are Some of the Hummingbirds Found in South America?
White-necked Jacobin |
Sword-billed  |
Velvet-purple Coronet |
Shining Sunbeam |
Buff-tailed Coronet |
Speckled |
Green Thorntail |
Fawn-breasted Brilliant |
| View more photos of the hummingbirds of South America | |
- Hummingbirds of Colombia
- Hummingbirds of Ecuador
- Hummingbirds of Peru
- Hummingbirds of Venezuela
- Hummingbirds of Brazil
- Hummingbirds of Bolivia
Hummingbird Species Found in the Islands of the Caribbean Sea
The islands of the Caribbean Sea are also home to many species of hummingbirds, some listed below. Hummingbirds are found on numerous islands, such as Jamaica, Cuba, Tobago, St. Lucia, Puerto Rico, Aruba, Barbados and others. Trinidad alone has upwards of 19 species!
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