Hummingbirds are found only in the Americas, and there are more than 360 species. They are the smallest birds on Earth, hover in mid-air and can fly backwards, and some beat their wings more than 50 times a second. The greatest diversity is in the Andes, where a single lodge garden may attract 20 or more species.
The best places
Ecuador
Ecuador has about 130 hummingbird species. Cloud forest lodges near Mindo and in the Tandayapa Valley have feeders busy with violet-tailed sylphs, booted racket-tails and velvet-purple coronets. Higher up, the Antisana and Papallacta areas have the giant hummingbird and sword-billed hummingbird.
Colombia
With around 165 hummingbird species, Colombia has the most of any country. The Central Andes around Manizales, the Santa Marta mountains and Montezuma Road are superb. See our Colombia birding guide.
Peru
The road from Cusco into Manu passes through cloud forest with many hummingbirds. The marvellous spatuletail, one of the world’s most spectacular hummingbirds, lives only in northern Peru, around Huembo.
Costa Rica
More than 50 species, including the fiery-throated hummingbird and violet sabrewing at highland lodges, and many lowland species. See our Monteverde guide.
Trinidad and Tobago
Asa Wright Nature Centre in Trinidad offers easy viewing of hummingbirds such as the tufted coquette and white-necked jacobin.
Cuba
Home to the bee hummingbird, the world’s smallest bird, at about 5 to 6 cm long. See our bee hummingbird profile. The Zapata Peninsula is the best place to see it.
South-east Arizona, USA
Canyons such as Madera Canyon and Ramsey Canyon attract up to about 15 species in late summer, the best hummingbird area in the United States. See our ruby-throated hummingbird profile for the eastern US species.
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter speed (1/2000 s or faster) to freeze wings, or slower speeds to show motion blur.
- Position yourself near flowers or feeders with a clean background.
- Be patient: hummingbirds return to favourite perches.
- Some lodges offer multi-flash setups for professional images.
Ethical feeders
- Use sugar water only (about one part white sugar to four parts water), with no dyes or honey.
- Clean feeders frequently to prevent fungal infections.
- Plant native flowers as a natural food source.
Frequently asked questions
Which country has the most hummingbirds? Colombia, with around 165 species, followed closely by Ecuador.
What is the smallest hummingbird? The bee hummingbird of Cuba, about 5 to 6 cm long and weighing around 2 grams.
Where can I see hummingbirds in the United States? South-east Arizona has the greatest variety, especially from July to September.
Are hummingbird feeders harmful? Not if they are kept clean and use only plain sugar water.
Related guides
- Mindo cloud forest birding
- Birding in Colombia
- Monteverde and the resplendent quetzal
- Animal profiles: Bee hummingbird, Ruby-throated hummingbird, Resplendent quetzal
Cover photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons