Rufous Hummingbird (female)
Arizona hosts fifteen regularly occurring hummingbird species, each adding brilliance to the state’s birdlife. Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna) is the most widespread, often seen year-round with males flashing rose-pink crowns and throats. Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri), slender with a dark throat band that shimmers violet in good light, is a common summer breeder across much of the state. Broad-billed Hummingbird (Cynanthus latirostris), with its vivid turquoise body and red bill tipped in black, is a signature species of southeastern riparian corridors. Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus), a high-elevation breeder, is known for the males’ metallic trills in mountain meadows. Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope), the smallest bird in North America, passes through on migration with males showing fine magenta streaks on the throat. Costa’s Hummingbird (Calypte costae) favors desert washes, with males displaying elongated purple gorget feathers that flare like a moustache. Lucifer Hummingbird (Calothorax lucifer), rare and localized in desert canyons, is distinguished by its curved bill and long, forked tail. Rivoli’s Hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens), among the largest species, has an emerald crown and violet throat and appears in shady canyons of the Sky Islands. Blue-throated Mountain-gem (Lampornis clemenciae), another large and striking hummingbird, shows a sapphire-blue throat and bold white stripes behind the eye, favoring mountain canyons in southeastern Arizona. Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is a fiery orange migrant, famous for its feisty defense of feeders and flowers. Violet-crowned Hummingbird (Leucolia violiceps), striking with a white belly, violet crown, and red bill, is a specialty of southeastern Arizona canyons. White-eared Hummingbird (Basilinna leucotis), a scarce summer visitor, shows a bold white facial stripe contrasting with its green and violet plumage. Berylline Hummingbird (Saucerottia beryllina), another scarce Mexican visitor, is copper-winged and green-bodied, appearing irregularly in oak and pine-oak canyons. Finally, Plain-capped Starthroat (Heliomaster constantii), a large, rare vagrant with a straight bill and subtle plumage, rounds out the list, making Arizona unique for its diversity of hummingbirds within the United States.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris), the eastern hummingbird, occurs very rarely.