Florida reports 12 hummer species out of the total 16 or 17 recorded in the country. In reality, you will most likely see three of them—ruby-throated (Archilochus colubris), black-chinned (Archilochus alexandri), and rufous (Selasphorus rufus) hummingbirds. The season you choose will determine what type you're going to spot. In spring through fall, 99% of the hummers you encounter will be ruby-throated hummingbirds, while two other species would occasionally appear over the winter months.
The most common species and the only breeder here is the brilliant ruby-throated hummingbird, marked by iridescent red throat feathers. This cute bird shows up all over the Sunshine State between early March and late September. Not surprisingly, the period is considered the official hummingbird season in Florida. The natural habitat extends from central Florida north across the eastern US and well through southern Canada. Even though the bird typically winters in Mexico or Central America, some individuals prefer to stay in south Florida all year round.
You'd surely like to know where exactly to catch a glimpse of these little flying gems. The answer is simple—anywhere, yet the sighting is always a matter of luck. Enhance your chances and help migratory hummingbirds by setting up a feeder in your garden. Make a nectar-like mixture of one part sugar and four parts water. But mind washing the feeder regularly. You don't want to poison the birds with a moldy drink.
Additionally, Florida has several places where you could observe a variety of hummingbirds in captivity. Check out Butterfly World in Coconut Creek or Miami Metrozoo. The staff takes good care of the tiny creatures. Sometimes local gardens and flowerbeds may even attract several wild hummers too.
Practical info
When can hummingbirds be seen in Florida?
Hummingbirds in Florida can be sighted during the official hummingbird season, which is between early March and late September. The ruby-throated hummingbird is the only breeding hummingbird species in Florida. However, two other species migrate to Florida occasionally over the winter months. They are a rare sight but are still scattered throughout the state. Show more
Which are the popular locations in Florida to spot hummingbirds?
Hummingbirds can be found in any part of Florida. However, popular places to observe them are Butterfly World in Coconut Creek, Miami Metrozoo, and various local gardens and flowerbeds that attract these little birds. There is no guarantee you'll see them since it is all in the luck of the draw. You can set up a feeder in your garden to increase your chances of seeing them. Show more
What are the most common hummingbird species in Florida?
Florida has a total of 12 hummingbird species out of 16 or 17 found in the country. The three most common ones are the ruby-throated, black-chinned, and rufous hummingbirds. The ruby-throated hummingbird is the only breeding hummingbird in Florida, is present from early March through late September. The other two species occasionally migrate to Florida over the winter season. Show more
How can hummingbirds be attracted to gardens?
To attract hummingbirds to your garden, prepare a feeder filled with a nectar-like mixture of four parts water and one part sugar. Hummingbirds favour tubular flowers in bright colours like bear's breeches, bee balm, columbine, and cardinal flower. Ensure a clean environment by regularly washing the feeder to avoid poisoning them. Hummingbirds are drawn to different tree and shrub varieties, so create a suitable environment with these plants. Show more
Is it possible to view hummingbirds in captivity in Florida?
You can observe various hummingbird species in captivity in Florida at Butterfly World in Coconut Creek and Miami Metrozoo. These little birds are appropriately tended to in such places and provide a great opportunity to observe them up close. It's also possible to occasionally spot them in local gardens and flowerbeds that wild hummers frequent in Florida. Show more
