Similar Species

When identifying hummingbirds, the first step is to look at range maps. Anna’s Hummingbird is often the largest and stockiest hummingbird in its range, and its body color is a distinctive gray and green. Costa’s Hummingbird is typically lighter gray below with less extensive green flecks on the breast and belly. They have an even bigger head than Anna’s. The gorget of an adult male Costa’s Hummingbird is a much deeper purple and it extends farther on the sides of the neck, coming to a point. Black-chinned Hummingbirds are much sleeker overall with a thinner neck, a partial whitish collar, and a longer bill. The male's dark purple gorget is limited to just the throat, and the head is green. With practice, looking for the narrow shape of the inner six primary feathers is a diagnostic way to separate Black-chinned and Ruby-throated from all other North American hummingbirds. Rufous Hummingbirds always have some orange or buffy tones in the underparts and tail. In male Broad-tailed Hummingbirds the pink feathers are only on the throat, not on the crown.

• Black-chinned Hummingbird
• Costa's Hummingbird
• Broad-tailed Hummingbird
• Rufous Hummingbird