Michigan Hummingbird Types

Hummingbirds are tiny birds that need to feed constantly to replenish the energy they use in flying. Many people hang nectar feeders near their homes or plant wildflowers to attract hummingbirds. They're fun to watch, with their iridescent colors and fast-moving wings that allow them to hover and quickly fly in all directions. Michigan is part of the route migrating hummingbirds take every spring. There are five species of hummingbirds in Michigan.

  1. Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds

    • The most common species of hummingbird found in Michigan is the ruby-throated hummingbird. They are about 3 1/2 inches long, weigh about 3 g and have an emerald-green back. Adult males have a distinguishing iridescent ruby-red throat that gives the species its name. They have gray flanks and a forked tail. Adult females are larger than males and have a white breast, a white throat and a rounded tail with white tips.

    Rufous Hummingbirds

    • Another common species of hummingbird found in Michigan is the rufous hummingbird, named for the reddish-brown color on its tail and sides. Rufous hummingbirds weigh about 3 1/2 g. Adult males have a reddish-brown crown, a bright orange-red throat and a white breast. Some have a green back, some have a reddish-brown back and some have streaks of both colors. Adult females have a green back and crown, a streaked throat, a white breast and reddish-brown tail feathers with white tips.

    Broad-Billed Hummingbirds

    • Broad-billed hummingbirds are a less common species of Michigan hummingbird. They are 3 1/4 inches long and weigh 3 1/2 to 4 g. They have a red-orange bill and a green back and crown. Adult males have a dark green breast, a metallic blue throat and a black tip on the bill. Adult females have a gray throat, a gray breast and white tips on the outer tail feathers.

    White-Eared Hummingbirds

    • White-eared hummingbirds are 3 inches long and weigh between 3 and 4 g. They have long, thin bills with a bright red base and a black tip. Adult males have an emerald-green back and breast, a black face with a broad stripe of white feathers behind the eye, a gray belly, a purple forehead and an iridescent blue-green chin. Adult females have a green back and crown with a white stripe behind the eye, a black stripe behind the white one, a white breast and white sides with green streaks.

    Green Violet-Ear Hummingbirds

    • Green violet-ear hummingbirds are the largest hummingbird species in Michigan, weighing between 5 and 6 g. Males are dark metallic green with blue-violet cheek and breast patches. The tail is square and blue-green with a black band. Females are similar in color with a duller bronze-colored breast.