Buff-bellied Hummingbird Identification

The Four Keys to ID

• Size & Shape

  Relative to other U.S. hummingbirds, this is a fairly large hummingbird with moderately long bill, tail, and wings.

  Relative Size

  Larger than a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, smaller than a House Wren.

  sparrow-sized or smaller

  Measurements

  • Both Sexes
  • • Length: 3.9-4.3 in (10-11 cm)
    • Weight: 0.1-0.1 oz (2-4 g)

  © Jay McGowan / Macaulay Library

• Color Pattern

  Adult is bronzy green above, with a buff belly, rich iridescent blue-green throat and breast (which appears gray when not in sunlight), rufous tail, and striking red bill with a dark tip. Juvenile has a dark bill, grayish breast, and duller colors overall.

• Behavior

  Drinks nectar; also catches small flying insects or picks insects off vegetation with its bill. Readily visits hummingbird feeders, where it chases away smaller hummingbirds.

• Habitat

  Lowland habitats of eastern Mexico and southernmost Texas, including Tamaulipan brushland, thorn forest, riparian woodlands, suburbs, and urban parks with flowering plants.