Hummingbirds Found in Nevada

The majority of hummingbirds found in North America occur in the western states. Residents and visitors to Nevada may spot hummingbirds such as the rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) as they migrate south for winter, but this bird is not an inhabitant of the state. Five separate hummingbird species do live part of the year in Nevada before hightailing it for warmer climes. The hummingbirds found in Nevada possess the vibrant colors and acrobatic flying skills typical of this family of interesting birds.

  1. Calliope Hummingbird

    • As with most types of hummingbirds, the male calliope hummingbird (Stellula calliope) is more colorful than the female is. It has greenish upper parts with a white and red throat. The calliope hummingbird is the smallest bird breeding within North American borders, notes the National Audubon Society, and no small species makes a longer migratory journey. Adults reach just 3 1/2 inches in length. In Nevada, the calliope hummingbird breeds during the spring and summer in the northern parts of the state. It prefers living in mountain meadows, thickets and brushy locations. The bird is secretive, making it difficult to study.

    Anna's Hummingbird

    • The throat of the Anna's hummingbird (Calypte anna) is iridescent and rosy red. This hummingbird's range extends into far western Nevada. Anna's hummingbirds eat insects and nectar, as well as tree sap. The males engage in an incredible display of flying, going to great heights and then making a vertical dive to impress females or to startle potential intruders. Anna's hummingbirds are nearly 4 inches long. Their expanding range in the West is due to people planting flowering trees in their landscapes, which provide the bird with cover and food.

    Black-Chinned Hummingbird

    • Wintering in Mexico, but breeding and spending summers throughout most of Nevada, the black-chinned hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) is an adaptable bird, able to live in urban sites. The males feature a black chin with a hard-to-see purple stripe. The black-chinned hummingbird grows to 3 1/2 inches long, with a wingspan of almost 4 1/2 inches. The bird has an average heart rate of 480 beats per minute, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, but on cold nights it reduces its heart rate to as low as 45 per minute.

    Costa's Hummingbird

    • The deserts in the southern and southwestern sections of Nevada are home to the Costa's hummingbird (Calypte costae), a bird that sometimes stays year round. Costa's hummingbird males possess iridescent violet feathers on their throat and the back of their heads. Costa's hummingbird, named for a French nobleman, also reduces heart rates in colder weather. The bird's diet is mostly nectar, but it does consume some insects, according to What Bird.

    Broad-Tailed Hummingbird

    • Males of the broad-tailed hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) species have a shiny green head supplemented by a bright red throat. The woodlands of central Nevada that have abundance of pinyons, oaks, pines or junipers are suitable habitats for this bird in summer. The broad-tailed hummingbird often selects specific flower species for their nectar, including red columbine and Indian paintbrush. The birds usually wait until these flowers begin blooming before breeding, so ample food is available.