Types Of Hummingbirds In Georgia (Complete Guide)

Hummingbirds are some of the funniest creatures you can find in your backyard or wilderness. Georgia is a diverse landscape with rich plant cover ranging from cities and suburbs to coastlines, swamps and forests. While many of these hummingbirds are not native to Georgia, you can occasionally catch a glimpse of them due to their migration from the west in search of nectar. Although they are not native hummingbirds, it is important to know, which hummingbirds can be found in Georgia?

Nine species of hummingbirds can be found in Georgia. These include Allen’s Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird, Black-jawed Hummingbird, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Pale Yellow-bellied Hummingbird, Calliope Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, and Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Many of these species migrate or breed in different places and can be found at different times of the year.

To learn more about these nine Georgia hummingbird species, keep reading!

ruby-throated hummingbird

frog

ruby-throated hummingbird

Ruby-throated hummingbird in flight

Ruby-throated hummingbird perched on branch

Ruby-throated hummingbird looking out

length:

7.5cm to 9cm

span:

8 cm to 11 cm

weight:

3 grams to 3.5 grams

See:

all year round

ruby-throated hummingbird

One of the most common species in the United States, the ruby-throated hummingbird is the only bird that breeds east of the Mississippi River. That meant the bird had to fly more than 500 miles non-stop over the Gulf of Mexico. This species prefers grasslands and forests for its nectar and is smaller in size.

Males can be identified by their scarlet neck guards with black chin straps. You can observe this bird in Georgia year-round.

black-jawed hummingbird

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black-jawed hummingbird

female black-jawed hummingbird

Black-jawed hummingbird in flight

Black-jawed hummingbird perched on a twig

length:

8 cm to 9 cm

span:

11cm

weight:

3 grams to 3.5 grams

See:

October to April

black-jawed hummingbird

Named in 1846 in honor of its discoverer, Dr. Alexander, the black-jawed hummingbird can be found in most habitats, including backyards across the United States. This species constantly wags its tail while flying and obtains nectar from various sources.

This species is a small hummingbird with a gray crest and a medium-long, downward-curved beak. Its hood is almost entirely black, with tiny purple tips noticeable in the right lighting. Black-jawed hummingbirds can be observed in Georgia between October and April.

Anna’s Hummingbird

geranium

close up anna’s hummingbird

Mother Anna’s hummingbird feeding her chicks

juvenile anna’s hummingbird

length:

10 cm to 11 cm

span:

12cm

weight:

4 grams to 4.5 grams

See:

Rare, but between November and March

Anna’s Hummingbird

Originally from California, the Anna Hummingbird is adaptable and can expand its range east and north to find exotic flowers in urban gardens and fields. The Anna Hummingbird, named after the Duchess of Rivoli, Anna Massena, is known to eat sand, ash and insects during the winter.

You can recognize this species by its medium size and straight black beak. Males have a red throat guard, and both females and females hold their tails while circling. Like the Allen Hummingbird, the Anna Hummingbird is rare in Georgia, but can be found from November to March.

organ hummingbird

scallop

Calliope hummingbird sitting on a branch

circling female organ hummingbird

female hummingbird in flight

length:

7 cm to 10 cm

span:

11cm

weight:

2 grams to 3 grams

See:

between september and april

organ hummingbird

The smallest breeding bird in the United States, the Calliope hummingbird weighs less than a penny. The species name comes from Greek and means “beautiful voice,” which is ironic because this hummingbird has limited vocalization capabilities. You can find Calliope in older growing areas behind fires and coniferous forests, foraging for nectar from a variety of plants.

This species can be identified by its tiny short tail and short black beak. Males have purple throat guards on a contrasting white background. You can find Calliope between September and April.

tan hummingbird

Red Spot Mackerel

rufous hummingbird chirping

Juvenile Rufous Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird in flight

length:

9 cm to 10 cm

span:

11 cm to 12 cm

weight:

3 grams to 4 grams

See:

between august and april

tan hummingbird

As the northernmost breeder of any other species in the United States, the rufous hummingbird is an aggressive bird, making it an unwelcome guest at bird feeders. This bird can be found in forests and grasslands between August and April.

Rufous hummingbirds can be identified by the male’s rufous throat and small size with a short black beak. Between the aggressive behavior and rufous-brown plumage, you can easily identify this bird as it struggles to get nectar and bird feeders.

Allen’s Hummingbird

Spanish mackerel

Allen’s hummingbird sits in the backyard

Allen’s Hummingbird sitting on a spruce

female allen hummingbird

length:

9 cm

span:

11cm

weight:

2 grams to 4 grams

See:

Rare, but between October and February

Allen’s Hummingbird

This guy may be small, but with a rufous-brown tail, rump and back, and a medium-sized black beak, he’s very territorial. The Allen hummingbird, named after California bird collector Charles A. Allen, has one of the most restricted breeding ranges of North American hummingbirds.

Although the habitat has been altered by humans, you can still find them moving between breeders in both urban and suburban environments. In nature, they feed on fuchsia currants, jungle monkey flowers and honeysuckle found in fields and forests. They are rarely seen in Georgia, but sometimes appear between October and February.

broad tailed hummingbird

purslane

Broad-tailed hummingbird sitting on a branch

Female broad-tailed hummingbird feeding

Two female broad-tailed hummingbirds

length:

9 cm

span:

13cm

weight:

3 grams to 4 grams

See:

Uncommon, but between November and March

broad tailed hummingbird

As a medium-sized hummingbird, the broad-tailed hummingbird’s call resembles a small bell, which is a common sound in winter. The female broad-tailed hummingbird is the oldest known wild hummingbird in the United States.

Like the other hummingbirds on this list, broad-tailed hummingbirds feed on the nectar of a wide variety of plants in fields, woodlands, and forests, and can be found in backyard feeders. You can recognize males by their pink throat guard, which contrasts nicely with the white breasts. It has a straight black beak and long tail and is gentle in temperament.

This hummingbird is uncommon in Georgia, but can be seen occasionally from November to March.

broad-billed hummingbird

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Broad-billed hummingbird enjoying the sun

Broad-billed hummingbird perched on a branch

Female broad-billed hummingbird feeding

length:

8 cm to 10 cm

span:

13cm

weight:

3 grams to 4 grams

See:

Uncommon, but between December and March

broad-billed hummingbird

Broad-billed hummingbird males have striking red beaks and sapphire throats that set them apart from other hummingbirds. The female has a white line behind the eye, which is gray below and golden-green above. Although it’s a frequent visitor to bird feeders, you can find this species anywhere native flowers are, where it consumes nectar.

Broad-billed hummingbirds also use fly hunting to catch insects in plants. This species is small and has a straight, long, notched tail. Male stories are fuller and have rounded corners than female stories.

The bird is fairly rare in Georgia, but can be seen occasionally between December and March.

yellow belly hummingbird

Yucatan Pomegranate

yellow belly hummingbird resting

Buff-bellied Hummingbird tests the air with his tongue

Yellow-bellied hummingbird extracts sugar water from a feeder

length:

10 cm to 11 cm

span:

14cm

weight:

2.9 grams to 4.7 grams

See:

Uncommon, but between November and March

yellow belly hummingbird

The Buff-Bellied hummingbird differs from other hummingbirds because of its larger size and moderate length of wings, tail and beak. Adult birds are characterized by a striking red beak with black tip, reddish-brown tail, iridescent blue-green chest and throat, buff belly, and rusty tail.

Buff-Bellied hummingbirds pluck insects from vegetation, catch small flies, and drink nectar. You can usually find them at backyard feeders, where they will chase off small hummingbirds. Also, they are found in thickets, forests, woodlands and urban parks with flowering plants.

They are uncommon in Georgia, but can sometimes be seen between November and March.