8 Types of Hummingbirds in Ohio

Looking for Hummingbirds in Ohio? Read the article.

Hummingbirds are fascinating creatures in the bird world. They are incredibly tiny, yet they can fly at high speeds and hover in place with ease. These are the only birds that can fly backward, and can beat their wings up to 80 times per second and are found throughout North and South America.

However, there is one other aspect of Hummingbirds that makes them truly unique: their diet. Unlike other birds, which primarily eat insects, hummingbirds feed almost exclusively on nectar. They rely heavily on nectar, they have evolved long beaks and tongues that allow them to reach deep into flowers to extract the sweet liquid.

They consume large quantities of nectar, meaning that they must visit hundreds of flowers each day to get the energy they need to survive. For these reasons, hummingbirds play an important role in pollination, and they are a vital part of many ecosystems.

They are also able to hover in mid-air, making them seem like tiny helicopters because of their high-pitched “buzzing” sound.

In addition to their aerial prowess, hummingbirds are also known for their bright and colorful plumage. Every year, thousands of people put out hummingbird feeders in hopes of attracting these little birds to their backyards.

Whether you’re lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a hummingbird in flight or simply enjoy watching them from a distance, there is no delaying that these creatures are truly magical.

8 Types of Hummingbirds in Ohio

Ohio is located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by Lake Erie to the north, Pennsylvania to the east, and West Virginia to the southeast. Ohio is historically known as the “Buckeye State” after its Ohio buckeye trees. With an area of 44,825 square miles, Ohio is the 34th largest state in the country. The majority of the state is covered by farmland, with forests occupying about a quarter of the land area. 

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, there are over 400 species of birds have been recorded in the state of Ohio. This makes Ohio a hot spot for bird watching, as it is home to a wide variety of birds. 

There are thirteen 8 types of hummingbirds that have been recorded in Ohio. The most common is the ruby-throated hummingbird, which is also the only type that nests in the state. Let’s find out what the other are.

In Ohio, hummingbirds can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, wetlands, and even urban areas. These energetic little birds require a lot of food to fuel their high metabolism, and they feed on nectar from flowers as well as small insects.

Hummingbirds belong to the Avian family Trochilidae and are native to America. These are tiny attractive birds, with most species measuring 3-5 inches in length.

Even you can attract these birds by displaying hummingbird feeders or you can plant nectar-producing flowers in your backyard.

There are more than 340 species of hummingbirds, and they are found in every part of America. Here are a few more amazing facts about these birds.

• Despite their small size, hummingbirds are powerful flyers; they have been known to reach speeds of up to 60 miles per hour in flight.
• The average lifespan of a hummingbird is 5 years.

• Hummingbirds have a very high metabolism and need to eat often. They may eat up to eight times their body weight in food each day!
• No other bird can fly like hummingbirds. They can fly backward, forward, and even upside down! This is possible because their wings can rotate a full 180 degrees.
• Hummingbirds do not suck nectar instead, they lick it with fringed, forked tongues.
• Hummingbirds cannot walk or hop like other birds.
• They can beat their wings up to 80 times per second, and breathe 150 times per minute.
• Hummingbirds come in a variety of colors, including green, blue, red, and orange. Even they are known to change color depending on the angle of the sun.
• A hummingbird egg is about the size of a jellybean and makes up about 5% of the mother’s weight, and amazing fact is that once the chicks hatch, they grow quickly and fledge(leave the nest) after only 3-4 weeks.
• Hummingbird tongues are shaped like W and they can extend out far beyond the break.
• All of these facts make hummingbirds one of the most fascinating creatures in the bird world.

So next time you see a hummingbird zipping around your garden, take a moment to appreciate these incredible creatures. From their bright plumage to their amazing flying skills, they truly are one of nature’s marvels.

Without any further delay let’s see what are those seven hummingbirds that are seen most frequently in Ohio:

#1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a species of hummingbird that is native to North America and Canada. It is the only species of hummingbird that breeds in this region. The bird is named for the distinctive ruby-red throat patch of the male bird. While the female has a white throat with some flecks of red. Both sexes have greenish-white plumage with some dark steaks on the back and wings.

These birds are among the smallest of all birds, and they are also one of the fastest, with a top speed of up to 30 miles per hour.

The Ruby-throated hummingbird feeds on nectar from flowers and also consumes small insects for protein.

They begin their breeding season in late April or early May through October.

Once the males arrive at the breeding grounds, they establish territories by performing a spectacular aerial display. The female chooses a mate based on the quality of the male’s territory. Once paired up, the male and female work together to build a nest out of plant material, spider webs, and down feathers.

The female lays two eggs per clutch, and both parents help to incubate them. After about two weeks, the chicks hatch and fledge the nest about three weeks later.

The Ruby-throated hummingbird is a popular bird species, not only for their striking appearance but also for their interesting breeding behaviors.

#2 Rufous Hummingbird

The Rufous hummingbird is a small bird measuring up to 3 inches in length and the second most widespread hummingbird seen in Ohio after the Ruby-throated hummingbird.

The Rufous hummingbird is a migratory bird and can often be seen in gardens and parks.

This bird gets its name ‘Rufous’ from its rufous-colored feather with green on its back and tail, while the female is typically paler in color.

During mating season, the male puts on an impressive aerial show, diving and zig-zagging through the air to attract a mate.

These birds are particularly fond of bees and wasps. Besides, they also feed on nectar-producing flowers including elderberry, fireweed, and tiger lily.

In the fall, Rufous hummingbirds migrate south to Mexico and Central America where they will spend the winter months. These birds typically return to Ohio in early spring.

3# Allen’s Hummingbird

Allen’s hummingbird is a small bird found in the Western United States and Mexico. This bird is named after Charles Lane Allen, who was the first person to collect a specimen of the species. Males have greenish-black upper parts and a red gorget (throat patch), while females have greenish upper parts with white streaks. They measure up to 3-3.5 inches in length.

Allen’s hummingbirds are attracted to bright flowers, and they feed on nectar. They also eat small insects, which they catch in mid-air.

These are migratory birds, traveling south in the winter to escape the cold weather. They typically live in open woodlands, gardens, and other areas with flowers.

During the breeding season, male birds perform an elaborate courtship ritual in which they dive rapidly from a great height, making a loud noise as they go and they breed from March to August.

4# Anna’s Hummingbird

Anna’s hummingbirds are one of the most common species of hummingbirds found in North America. Male hummingbirds are easily identified with their iridescent green plumage. The back and crow are a deep, glossy green, and the throat and breast are a pale pinkish-green. The bill is black, and the leg and feet are dark greys.

The female bird is usually a little smaller than the male, with a green back and white underparts and the color of the throat is more pale pink.

The nesting season typically runs from February to August. Females build cup-shaped nests made of leaves, spider webs, lichen, and other materials.

These birds are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, deserts, and urban areas.

These birds feed primarily on nectar and use their long bills to reach deep into flower blossoms. They also eat small insects, which they capture in mid-flight.

5# Calliope hummingbird

The Calliope hummingbird is the smallest bird in North America. It measures just 3 inches long and weighs less than a nickel. Despite its tiny size, the Calliope hummingbird is one of the most strikingly colored birds in the world.

The male has glossy green plumage on its back and crown, with pale gray undersides. Its tail is reddish-orange, and its bill is black. The female Calliope hummingbird is similar in appearance, but her plumage is duller and her tail is not as colorful.

Both sexes have a white band on their throats that looks like a necklace. The Calliope hummingbird is found in the western United States and Canada. It breeds in mountain meadows and forests, and winters in southern California and Mexico.

These tiny birds are among the most proficient flyers in the world, capable of flying up to 60 miles per hour! Their diet consists mainly of insects, which they capture mid-flight.

They also consume nectar from flowers, using their long tongues to reach deep into the petals. The Calliope hummingbird is truly a fascinating creature, both in appearance and behavior.

6# Selasphorus hummingbird

The Selasphorus hummingbird is a small bird with iridescent body feathers. The plumage of the upper parts is green, while the underparts are whitish.

The tail is forked, and the bill is straight and slightly down-curved. Adult males have a patch of orange-red feathers on the throat, while females usually have a green body with some yellow on the flanks.

These birds are found in forested areas from southern Alaska to central Mexico. They build their nests in trees or shrubs, laying 2-3 eggs at a time.

The Selasphorus hummingbird feeds on nectar from flowers using its long tongue. It also eats small insects, which are important for providing protein and other nutrients.

These birds are important pollinators of many plant species. Selasphorus hummingbirds are relatively small birds, with a body length of only 3-4 inches. Their wings beat up to 200 times per second, allowing them to hover in place and change direction quickly.

7# Black-chinned hummingbird

The Black-chinned Hummingbird is the 6th most common hummingbird seen in Ohio. It has a large dark bill. The adult male has a black chin and throat and the females have a cinnamon chin and throat.

The body of the Black-chinned Hummingbird is greenish-black on the back and sides with a white breast and belly. The wings are black with white tips.

Their tail is black with white stripes and their feet are in gray color. The Black-chinned Hummingbird is about 3 inches long and weighs about 0.1 ounces. It is the smallest hummingbird in North America.

It breeds in open woodlands, canyons, and deserts. The female builds a nest of plants down and spider webs in a tree or shrub. She lays 2 eggs. Both parents feed the young birds.

The Black-chinned Hummingbird eats insects and nectar from flowers. It hovers in front of a flower to drink the nectar with its long tongue. To eat insects, it catches them in midair or picks them off plants.

The Black-chinned Hummingbird is active during the day. In the evening, it perches on a branch and goes into a light sleep called torpor. During torpor, its body temperature drops and its heart rate slows down to help it save energy overnight.

8# Mexican violetear

The Violet-eared Hummingbird is one of the most beautifully adorned hummingbirds in all the species. The male has glittering violet ear patches, a violet throat, and a greenback.

The female is similar but with greenish-white underparts. The wings of both sexes are black with green tips, and the long tail has white tips. At just 3 inches long, this tiny hummingbird is one of the smallest birds in the world.

The violetear hummingbird is a nectarivore, which means that its diet consists mainly of nectar from flowers. It also eats small insects, such as ants and beetles.

They breed in the highlands of Central America as they are migratory species. And during the breeding season, they travel to the Andes Mountains of South America.

The journey can be as long as 12,000 miles, and the birds fly at an average speed of 30 miles per hour. Once they reach their destination, they build nests and raise their young. After the breeding season is over, they begin the journey back to their wintering grounds.

What months are hummingbirds in Ohio?

In Ohio specifically, hummingbirds can be seen from April to October. However, the peak months for seeing them are May and September. This is because these months offer the perfect combination of food and weather for these little birds.

How long will hummingbirds stay in Ohio?

While most hummingbirds migrate to Central America for the winter, a few species of hummingbirds will stay in Ohio throughout the year. The most common of these is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, which can be found in woodlands and gardens across the state. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of Rufous Hummingbirds too, wintering in Ohio.

When should you put up hummingbird feeders in Ohio?

The best time to put up hummingbird feeders in Ohio is late April or early May. When the migrating Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are returning from their wintering grounds in Central America. However, if you live in southern Ohio, you may see hummers as early as March. To attract these tiny birds to your yard, it is important to keep your feeders clean and filled with fresh nectar.

Conclusion

And that’s the end of our list of 8 types of hummingbirds in Ohio! We hope you enjoyed learning about these amazing creatures. Remember, if you want to attract hummingbirds to your backyard, plant some flowers and put out a feeder filled with sugar water. These birds are sure to bring some sweetness into your life!