16 Hummingbirds in Texas (With ID Guide, Size & Wingspan Info)
Texas is one of the best places in the U.S. to spot hummingbirds. Thanks to its diverse landscape and southern location, the state attracts a wide range of species—some year-round, others just passing through. From the common Black-chinned to the rare Lucifer and Rivoli’s Hummingbirds, you’ll find these tiny birds flitting through gardens, mountains, deserts, and along the Gulf Coast. In this guide, you’ll meet 16 species of hummingbirds found in Texas, along with ID tips, size, wingspan, and where to see them.
1. Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a frequent spring and fall visitor to East Texas, known for its shimmering green back and the male’s ruby-red throat. It’s the only hummingbird that regularly breeds in eastern North America. These tiny birds are drawn to backyard feeders and flowering gardens. During migration, they cross the Gulf of Mexico in one nonstop flight—an amazing feat for a bird that weighs less than a nickel.
- Scientific Name: Archilochus colubris
- Lifespan: 3–5 years
- Size: 2.8–3.5 inches
- Weight: 2–6 g
- Wingspan: 3.1–4.3 inches
2. Black-chinned Hummingbird
The Black-chinned Hummingbird is the most common hummingbird in Central and West Texas. Males have an iridescent black throat with a hint of violet, while females are plainer with green backs. They are often seen hovering at feeders or darting between wildflowers. Adaptable and territorial, these hummingbirds thrive in both suburban yards and desert landscapes.
- Scientific Name: Archilochus alexandri
- Lifespan: 5–8 years
- Size: 3.25–3.5 inches
- Weight: 2.8–3.2 g
- Wingspan: 4.3 inches
3. Rufous Hummingbird
Known for its fiery orange color, the Rufous Hummingbird is a frequent migrant through Texas, especially during fall. Males are a brilliant copper-orange, while females are greenish with rufous flanks. These tough little birds are aggressive and known to chase off others from feeders. Though they breed in the Pacific Northwest, many pass through Texas on their way to Mexico for the winter.
- Scientific Name: Selasphorus rufus
- Lifespan: 3–5 years
- Size: 2.8–3.5 inches
- Weight: 2–4.5 g
- Wingspan: 4.3 inches
4. Buff-bellied Hummingbird
The Buff-bellied Hummingbird is a year-round resident in South Texas and is easy to recognize by its olive-green back, buffy underparts, and red bill with a black tip. These hummingbirds prefer subtropical woodlands and coastal brush, often seen around native flowers or backyard feeders. Their range barely extends into the U.S., making them a favorite for birders visiting the Rio Grande Valley.
- Scientific Name: Amazilia yucatanensis
- Lifespan: 5–7 years
- Size: 3.9–4.3 inches
- Weight: 4.3–5 g
- Wingspan: 5–5.5 inches
5. Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds are summer breeders in the mountainous regions of West Texas. Males have a metallic rose throat and produce a distinct trilling sound with their wings in flight. These hummingbirds prefer cooler elevations and alpine meadows, often feeding on wildflowers in open areas. They’re also frequent visitors to backyard feeders in highland regions during the warmer months.
- Scientific Name: Selasphorus platycercus
- Lifespan: 3–5 years
- Size: 3.1–3.5 inches
- Weight: 2.8–4.5 g
- Wingspan: 5.25 inches
Here are the next 5 hummingbirds found in Texas, each with a short Texas-focused introduction and ID details:
6. Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbirds are rare winter visitors in Texas, mostly reported along the Gulf Coast and occasionally in Central Texas. Males are striking with rose-pink crowns and throats that sparkle in sunlight. Native to the West Coast, these hummingbirds are expanding their range eastward. In Texas, they’re more likely seen at feeders during the colder months when other species are scarce.
- Scientific Name: Calypte anna
- Lifespan: 8–9 years
- Size: 3.9–4.3 inches
- Weight: 3–6 g
- Wingspan: 4.7 inches
7. Calliope Hummingbird
The Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest bird in the U.S. and occasionally migrates through Texas in spring and fall. Males have vibrant magenta streaks on their throats, while females are plainer with greenish backs. These tiny travelers cover impressive distances from the Pacific Northwest to Mexico. Though rare, they’re sometimes seen at high-elevation gardens or feeders in West Texas during migration.
- Scientific Name: Selasphorus calliope
- Lifespan: 5–6 years
- Size: 2.8–3.3 inches
- Weight: 2.3–3.3 g
- Wingspan: 4.1 inches
8. Broad-billed Hummingbird
Broad-billed Hummingbirds are rare but regular in far West and South Texas, especially near the Big Bend region. They stand out with a vivid blue throat and a bright red bill with a black tip. Their vibrant colors and preference for desert scrub make them a favorite among hummingbird watchers. They are more common just south of the border but do appear in Texas during spring and summer.
- Scientific Name: Cynanthus latirostris
- Lifespan: 7–8 years
- Size: 3.1–3.9 inches
- Weight: 3–4.5 g
- Wingspan: 4.5–5 inches
9. Lucifer Hummingbird
The Lucifer Hummingbird is a specialty bird of West Texas, especially in the desert canyons near Big Bend. Males have a curved bill and a brilliant purple throat that glows in sunlight. Females are pale with a slightly curved bill. These hummingbirds nest in cactus-filled canyons and are one of the most range-restricted species in the U.S., found only in parts of Arizona and Texas.
- Scientific Name: Calothorax lucifer
- Lifespan: 5–6 years
- Size: 3.5–4 inches
- Weight: 2.7–3.5 g
- Wingspan: 4.5 inches
10. Green-breasted Mango
The Green-breasted Mango is a rare tropical hummingbird that occasionally wanders into South Texas from Mexico. These large hummingbirds have dark green backs, a curved bill, and a distinctive dark stripe running down the chest. Most sightings are in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Though not common, their size and vivid color make them an exciting find for birders during late summer or fall.
- Scientific Name: Anthracothorax prevostii
- Lifespan: Estimated 5–7 years
- Size: 4.3–5.1 inches
- Weight: 6–7.5 g
- Wingspan: 5.5 inches
Here are the final 6 hummingbirds found in Texas, each with a Texas-specific intro and full ID stats:
11. Violet-crowned Hummingbird
The Violet-crowned Hummingbird is a rare visitor to far West Texas, especially in the Davis Mountains and Big Bend area. It has a bright white chest, green back, and a bold violet crown that glows in the right light. With a red bill tipped in black, it stands out from other hummingbirds. Though native to Mexico, it occasionally shows up at feeders in canyons and oak woodlands of Texas.
- Scientific Name: Leucolia violiceps
- Lifespan: 5–6 years
- Size: 4.3–4.7 inches
- Weight: 4.8–5.2 g
- Wingspan: 5–5.5 inches
12. White-eared Hummingbird
The White-eared Hummingbird is rarely seen in Texas, but occasionally shows up in the mountain woodlands of West Texas. True to its name, it has a bold white stripe behind the eye, a green body, and red bill. These birds typically live in the higher elevations of Mexico and Central America, but a few wander into Texas during spring and summer.
- Scientific Name: Basilinna leucotis
- Lifespan: 5–6 years
- Size: 3.9–4.3 inches
- Weight: 3.2–4.3 g
- Wingspan: 4.7 inches
13. Allen’s Hummingbird
Allen’s Hummingbird is a close cousin of the Rufous Hummingbird and is very difficult to tell apart. While rare in Texas, it’s occasionally reported during migration. Males are orange with a green back, while females are similar to Rufous females. The best way to tell them apart is by careful study of tail feathers, often requiring a photo. Most sightings occur in spring along the Gulf Coast.
- Scientific Name: Selasphorus sasin
- Lifespan: 3–5 years
- Size: 3–3.5 inches
- Weight: 2–3.5 g
- Wingspan: 4.3 inches
14. Mexican Violetear
The Mexican Violetear is a large, vibrant green hummingbird with patches of violet on the cheek and chest. Though mostly found in Central America and southern Mexico, a few make their way into Texas, usually during summer. Sightings are rare and unpredictable, but this species occasionally visits feeders in East and South Texas. Its large size and striking colors make it unforgettable.
- Scientific Name: Colibri thalassinus
- Lifespan: 4–6 years
- Size: 4.3–4.7 inches
- Weight: 5–6.5 g
- Wingspan: 5–5.5 inches
15. Blue-throated Mountain-gem
The largest hummingbird found in Texas, the Blue-throated Mountain-gem is a mountain species seen in high-altitude canyons of West Texas. Males have a deep blue throat, while both sexes show bold white stripes behind the eyes. These hummingbirds are strong fliers and often dominate feeders. Look for them in shady oak or pine canyons in areas like the Chisos Mountains.
- Scientific Name: Lampornis clemenciae
- Lifespan: 6–8 years
- Size: 4.3–4.7 inches
- Weight: 7.5–8.5 g
- Wingspan: 5.9 inches
16. Rivoli’s Hummingbird (formerly Magnificent Hummingbird)
Rivoli’s Hummingbird is another large hummingbird found in high elevations of West Texas. Males shimmer with emerald green and violet crown feathers, giving them a jewel-like look. Though more common in Mexico and Arizona, they appear in forested mountain areas of Texas like the Davis Mountains. They prefer cool, shaded forests and are often seen at hummingbird research stations or remote feeders.
- Scientific Name: Eugenes fulgens
- Lifespan: 7–9 years
- Size: 4.3–5.5 inches
- Weight: 6–10 g
- Wingspan: 6 inches
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FAQs
What is the most common hummingbird in Texas?
The Black-chinned Hummingbird is the most common species across Texas, especially in Central and West Texas during spring and summer.
When do hummingbirds migrate through Texas?
Spring migration usually begins in March, while fall migration peaks in August and September. Some species, like the Buff-bellied Hummingbird, stay year-round in South Texas.
How can I attract hummingbirds to my yard in Texas?
Use red feeders filled with a 1:4 sugar-to-water mix (no dye). Plant native flowers like salvia, trumpet vine, and Turk’s cap for natural nectar.
Do hummingbirds stay in Texas all year?
A few do—like the Buff-bellied and sometimes Anna’s Hummingbird in South Texas. Most others migrate south by late fall.
What’s the rarest hummingbird seen in Texas?
The Lucifer and Green-breasted Mango are among the rarest, typically found only in far West or South Texas during migration or breeding season.
