Texas, with its diverse array of habitats ranging from the Gulf Coast plains to the rugged Big Bend region and the eastern pine forests, serves as a vital crossroads for numerous hummingbird species. Its strategic location along migratory pathways and the abundance of nectar-rich flora make it one of the premier hummingbird havens in the United States.
While no single location in Texas will host all these species simultaneously, understanding their preferred habitats and seasonal occurrences will greatly enhance your chances of spotting these tiny, jewel-toned marvels.
We report on 15 of the top hummingbird species that grace the Texas skies, encompassing both year-round residents and fascinating migrants.
1. Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) – The Eastern Voyager
As the only regularly occurring breeding hummingbird in eastern North America, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a familiar sight across the eastern half of Texas during the spring and summer months.
Males are easily identified by their brilliant iridescent red gorget (throat patch), while females have a white throat. These incredible long-distance migrants undertake arduous journeys across the Gulf of Mexico to reach their breeding grounds.
They are frequent visitors to nectar feeders and prefer woodland edges, gardens, and open areas with flowering plants.
2. Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) – The Western Gem
Predominantly a western species, the Black-chinned Hummingbird is a common sight across much of Texas, especially in the western and central parts of the state, during the breeding season.
Males sport a velvety black chin bordered by a vibrant iridescent violet band beneath, though this violet can appear black in poor lighting. Females have a pale throat with dusky streaks.
They thrive in a variety of habitats, including canyons, riparian areas, and suburban gardens, and are regular visitors to hummingbird feeders.
3. Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) – The Fiery Traveler
Known for its incredible migratory feats, the Rufous Hummingbird boasts the northernmost breeding range of any hummingbird. While not a breeding resident of Texas, it is a prominent spring and fall migrant throughout the state.
Males are a dazzling coppery-orange, with a brilliant red-orange gorget. Females have rufous patches on their flanks and tail.
They are fiercely territorial and can often be seen aggressively defending nectar sources, whether natural flowers or feeders.
4. Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) – The High-Altitude Breeder
Primarily a breeder in the higher elevations of the Rocky Mountains, the Broad-tailed Hummingbird passes through West Texas during its spring and fall migrations.
Males produce a distinctive high-pitched metallic trill with their wings in flight, a key identification clue. They have a rose-red gorget and a green back. Females have rufous patches at the base of their tail feathers.
Look for them in mountainous regions with blooming wildflowers.
5. Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) – The Tiny Titan
The smallest long-distance migrant bird in the world, the Calliope Hummingbird is a delicate but determined traveler. It migrates through West Texas during the spring and fall.
Adult males possess a unique streaked magenta gorget. Females have a pale throat with dusky streaks.
They are often found in mountainous meadows and forests with abundant nectar sources.
6. Allen's Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin) – The Coastal Wanderer
While primarily a resident of the Pacific Coast, the Allen's Hummingbird is an increasingly observed spring and fall migrant in parts of Texas, particularly in the western and southern regions.
Adult males have a brilliant orange gorget and a rufous back and flanks. Females are very similar to female Rufous Hummingbirds but often show more green on their backs.
7. Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna) – The Year-Round Westerner
Typically a resident of the Pacific Coast, Anna's Hummingbird has been expanding its range eastward and is now a rare but increasing winter visitor to parts of Texas, particularly along the Gulf Coast and in some urban areas.
Males have a spectacular iridescent rose-pink gorget and crown that flashes brilliantly in the sunlight. Females have a green back and gray underparts with a patch of iridescent red feathers on the throat.
8. Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae) – The Desert Specialist
A denizen of the arid southwestern deserts, Costa's Hummingbird can occasionally be found as a rare visitor in the westernmost parts of Texas, particularly in the Big Bend region. Males boast a striking iridescent violet gorget that extends down the sides of their neck. Females have a green back and pale underparts with some dusky markings on the throat.
9. Lucifer Hummingbird (Calothorax lucifer) – The Desert Canyon Dweller
A unique and captivating species, the Lucifer Hummingbird is a rare but regular summer resident of the high desert canyons of far West Texas, particularly in the Chihuahuan Desert region.
Males have a long, slightly decurved bill and a brilliant iridescent purple gorget that flares into elongated "whiskers." Females also have a slightly decurved bill and pale underparts.
10. Broad-billed Hummingbird (Cynanthus latirostris) – The Southwestern Visitor
Typically found in riparian woodlands of the Southwest, the Broad-billed Hummingbird is a rare but increasing summer resident and migrant in parts of West and South Texas.
Males are a striking iridescent green with a blue throat and a long, straight red bill tipped with black. Females have a green back and gray underparts with a dusky throat and a pink base to their lower mandible.
11. White-eared Hummingbird (Basilinna leucotis) – The Mountain Jewel
A stunning but very rare visitor to the mountains of far West Texas, the White-eared Hummingbird is more common in the highlands of Mexico and Central America.
Both males and females have a prominent white stripe behind the eye, a bright red bill with a black tip, and a vibrant green body.
12. Buff-bellied Hummingbird (Amazilia yucatanensis) – The Coastal Resident
A more common sight along the Texas Gulf Coast, the Buff-bellied Hummingbird is a medium-sized species with a distinctive buffy or cinnamon-colored belly, a bright red bill with a black tip, and a green back.
It is a year-round resident in the southern parts of the state and can be a frequent visitor to feeders in coastal gardens.
13. Violet-crowned Hummingbird (Amazilia violiceps) – The Southwestern Stray
A rare but increasingly observed visitor to West and South Texas, the Violet-crowned Hummingbird is a striking species with a brilliant violet-blue crown, a white throat and chest, and a reddish bill with a black tip.
It is typically found in riparian areas and canyons.
14. Mexican Violetear (Colibri thalassinus) – The Accidental Visitor
A large and impressive hummingbird, the Green Violet-ear is a very rare vagrant to Texas, typically straying from its usual range in Mexico and Central America.
As its name suggests, it is primarily green with brilliant violet ear patches.
15. Plain-capped Starthroat (Heliomaster constantii) – The Southern Intruder
Another very rare visitor from Mexico and Central America, the Plain-capped Starthroat has been occasionally spotted in South Texas.
It is a large hummingbird with a long, straight black bill, a white streak down the center of its throat, and a green back.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time of the year does Texas hummingbird migration happen?
You’ll start seeing hummingbirds migrate to their breeding grounds around January until mid-May during the spring migration. On the contrary, fall migration generally lasts from July until August or September.
The only species breeding in Texas is the Black-chinned Hummingbird. However, you can mostly encounter a Ruby-throated Hummingbird in east Texas from springtime into early April. Generally, hummingbirds migrate 1,500 miles from Texas to Mexico and Central America.
Several migrating hummingbirds love spending the winter somewhere further in the South, crossing Texas's borders or in Mexico. However, there are sightings of these birds in San Antonio during winter, so you might as well keep your nectar feeder fresh at all times.
Learn more about Hummingbird migration in Kentucky in this video:
When should you stop feeding hummingbirds in Texas?
When to stop putting food in a hummingbird feeder mainly depends on its kind. Occasionally, they appear in the area earlier than expected. Several other factors are also at play when putting a halt to feeding these hummingbirds.
Aside from the species, other factors include location, climate, and migration. If you want to put up a hummingbird feeder in Houston and Austin, the best time is March to October. While in San Antonio, you can place a feeder between March and November.
Additionally, you can set up a feeder in McAllen year-long since the type of hummingbirds in that area are year-round residents. In El Paso, you can hang your feeder from April to October, and the same thing goes for Lubbock too.
Once you stop seeing birds around the area for seven to ten days, you can start removing the feeders and putting them back next spring. It might even surprise you to see a buff-bellied hummingbird sharing its feeding territory with an acorn woodpecker.
How long do hummingbirds stay in Texas?
The length of a hummingbird's stay in Texas is dependent on their kind because some stay all year while you'll only see the rest during the migration period. Of all the hummingbirds in Texas, the one you would most likely see often is the ruby-throated hummingbird. It's that pretty bird with golden-green feathers and an eye-catching red-colored neck.
The Big Bend National Park and the Davis Mountains are some of the best places where you can encounter even the rarest hummingbird species. You might even chance upon the blue-throated or the broad billed hummingbird straying in the Big Bend National Park.
Wrapping Up
Texas truly offers a remarkable diversity of hummingbird species, each with its own unique charm and ecological role.
By providing nectar feeders with a simple sugar-water solution (four parts water to one part white granulated sugar, never use honey or artificial sweeteners), planting native nectar-rich flowers, and offering a source of fresh water, you can create a welcoming environment that attracts these dazzling aerial acrobats to your Texas garden.
Patience, keen observation, and a good field guide will reward you with unforgettable glimpses of these tiny wonders.
Find out more about the great places to see birds in Texas.
