As the official Hummingbird Capital of Arizona, Sierra Vista has as many as 15 hummingbird species that can possibly be observed here throughout the year—more than anywhere else in the United States! Some stay year-round, while others just visit during long migrations. Either way, these extraordinary avians are an important part of our local ecosystem and have drawn birders from across the globe to Sierra Vista, especially in August when the most species can be viewed here. 

Allen's: This is a rare visitor during migration and is difficult to distinguish from a Rufous hummingbird. Males have a green back and forehead, with a shimmering orange-red throat. Females are predominantly green.

Scientific Name: Selasphorus sasin
SV sightings: Rare.
Migrant visits in spring & fall.
Size: 3 – 3.5 inches
Weight: 3 grams
Speed: 33 mph
Lifespan: 5 years

Anna's: The males of this resident hummingbird look like flying jewels with their brilliant green feathers and glittering rose-pink necks. Females also have some green iridescent feathers on their back but lack the brilliant gorget.

Scientific Name: Calypte anna
SV sightings: Common.
Year-round resident.
Size: 3.9 – 4.3 inches
Weight: 3 – 6 grams
Speed: 60 mph
Lifespan: 8.5 years

Berylline: Named for the gemstone beryl, both males and females of this species have a shimmering green hood. However, males have slightly longer and more colorful bills. Both are rare visitors to mountain sites.

Scientific Name: Saucerottia beryllina
SV sightings: Rare.
Mountain summer resident.
Size: 3.5 – 4 inches
Weight: 4 – 4.5 grams
Speed: 31 mph
Lifespan: 3 – 5 years

Black-chinned: This black-chinned, green-backed hummingbird only dazzles when the sun hits a male’s small, iridescent purple gorget, just above a white collar. Females lack the gorget and have duller green backs with some dusky spotting on the throat and sides.

Scientific Name: Archilochus alexandri
SV sightings: Common.
April through September.
Size: 3.5 inches
Weight: 2.7 – 3.8 grams
Speed: 30 mph
Lifespan: 13 years

Blue-throated Mountain-gem: Males have a vivid blue gorget that is difficult to detect unless the sun shines directly on it, making them more recognizable by their bold black and white tail. While around the same size as Rivoli’s, this species generally weighs more and is the largest in the United States.

Scientific Name: Lampornis clemenciae
SV sightings: Common.
Mountain summer resident (some winter here).
Size: 4.4 – 5 inches
Weight: 6.5 – 10 grams
Speed: 20 – 30 mph
Lifespan: 9 years

Broad-billed: Males have a jewel-like blue bib and a bright-red bill that is shorter than the females. Meanwhile, females of this species have a pale belly with a white eyestripe behind the eyes and white-tipped tail feathers.

Scientific Name: Cynanthus latirostris
SV sightings: Common.
Mountain summer resident.
Size: 3.5 – 4 inches
Weight: 2,8 – 4.1 grams
Speed: 26 mph
Lifespan: 9 years

Broad-tailed: Males have red throats and make a distinct high-pitched whistle with their wings in flight. Meanwhile, females have delicately spotted throats and pale-peach wash on both sides. They nest in the local mountains.

Scientific Name: Selasphorus platycercus
SV sightings: Common.
Mountain summer resident.
Size: 4 inches
Weight: 3 – 4 grams
Speed: 30 mph
Lifespan: 12 years

Calliope: The magenta rays on the male’s neck are the most distinguishing characteristic of this species. Females resemble a miniature version of the Broad-tailed hummingbird. Calliopes are the smallest migratory bird in the world.

Scientific Name: Stellula calliope
SV sightings: Common.
Migrant visits in spring & fall.
Size: 3.15 inches
Weight: 2.3 – 3.6 grams
Speed: 30 mph
Lifespan: 8 years

Costa's: Males of this small desert species have a vibrant, iridescent violet crown and elongated gorget, which extends out down the sides from its throat. Females have a white throat and belly, sometimes with violet feathers.

Scientific Name: Calypte costae
SV sightings: Rare.
Summer resident.
Size: 3.5 inches
Weight: 2.8 – 3.4 grams
Speed: 30 mph (diving speeds of 60 mph)
Lifespan: 8 years

Lucifer: Males of this species have a distinct forked tail and a bright, iridescent purple gorget. Meanwhile, female’s tails are shorter and more rounded, and they have a buffy whitish throat and breast. Both have long, curved bills.

Scientific Name: Calothorax lucifer
SV sightings: Rare.
Summer resident.
Size: 3.9 inches
Weight: 2.8 – 4 grams
Speed: 32 mph
Lifespan: 7.5 years
*Nearby Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary is considered the best place in the U.S. to see a Lucifer Hummingbird.

Plain-capped Starthroat: This species is extremely rare in Sierra Vista and cannot be seen here every year. Males and females look similar with black bills, a white streak behind the eye, and a metallic green back and crown. Males may have slightly more vibrant plumage.

Scientific Name: Heliomaster constantii
SV sightings: Extremely Rare.
Late summer, if at all.
Size: 4.5 – 5 inches
Weight: 6.5 – 8 grams
Speed: 30 mph
Lifespan: 3 – 5 years

Rivoli's: Formerly called Magnificent, this large species features males with an iridescent purple crown and teal/green gorget, and a black chest and dark green body. Meanwhile, females have mottled greenish sides and a speckled gray throat.

Scientific Name: Eugenes fulgens
SV sightings: Common.
Summer resident (some winter here).
Size: 4.5 – 5 inches
Weight: 6.7 – 10 grams
Speed: 20 – 30 mph
Lifespan: 11 years

Rufous: This is the most aggressive hummingbird and the hummingbird that makes the largest migration, traveling from Mexico to Alaska. Males are cinnamon red with an iridescent red gorget. Females have a green throat and upper breast with gray chests and white bellies.

Scientific Name: Selasphorus rufus
SV sightings: Common.
Migrant visits in spring & fall.
Size: 2.5 – 3.5 inches
Weight: 2.5 – 5.7 grams
Speed: 30 mph
Lifespan: 9 years

Violet-crowned: These are large, pale hummingbirds with iridescent violet crowns, and a little white patch below the eye. Males tend to have a more developed and slightly more brilliant crown, but otherwise both genders are similar in appearance.

Scientific Name: Ramosomyia violiceps
SV sightings: Common.
Summer resident (some winter here).
Size: 4 – 4.5 inches
Weight: 4.6 – 6.2 grams
Speed: 26 mph
Lifespan: 6 years

White-eared: These mountain hummingbirds have a characteristic white ear stripe and red bill base. However, males typically have a brilliant violet and green head and throat which can appear black in some light. Females have a pale throat and breast with green spotting.

Scientific Name: Basilinna leucotis
SV sightings: Common.
Mountain summer resident.
Size: 3.5 – 4 inches
Weight: 3 – 4 grams
Speed: 28 mph
Lifespan: 4 – 6 years