5 Types of Hummingbirds in West Virginia (With Pictures)

Last Updated on Mar 15 2024

Hummingbirds are among the most stunning birds on the planet, and they are not typically seen in West Virginia. However, you can still occasionally encounter hummingbirds in the state because many of them migrate to spend the winter in the Gulf Coast area. Since hummingbirds are so rare in this part of the U.S., many people need help recognizing and identifying the different types.

So, what hummingbirds can you find in West Virginia? How can you identify them?

Keep reading to learn more about the types of hummingbirds in the Mountain State, their characteristics and traits, and how to recognize them among other birds.

The 5 Types of Hummingbirds in West Virginia

1. Rufous Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbirds (Selasphorus rufus) are migratory birds that breed in the north of the U.S. during summer and migrate to the south during winter¹. Although these hummingbirds typically spend their winters in the south, they have become common in the southeast U.S., especially in the Gulf Coast area. Due to the proximity to that area, Rufous Hummingbirds can wander off to West Virginia.

These birds are tiny, commonly being between 2.8 and 3.5 inches long and weighing around 0.1–0.2 ounces². You can easily recognize this hummingbird by its stunning colors; the male is bright orange, with a red throat and white belly, while the female is orange-green, with a green tail and white belly.

Rufous Hummingbirds are territorial and will always chase away other hummingbirds to protect their territory. They mainly feed on small insects and nectar and can be found in various habitats, such as open areas, parks, yards, and forests.

2. Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is the only hummingbird species that spends the breeding season in the east of North America, so you can commonly encounter these hummingbirds in West Virginia. 

These hummingbirds are small, their body length is between 2.8 and 3.5 inches, and they weigh between 0.1 and 0.2 ounces. The males are recognizable by their ruby-red throats, emerald-green backs, and white-gray belly parts. Compared to the males, female Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds are slightly dull: Their throats are pale green, while their bodies are emerald green.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are friendly and love visiting bird feeders. They typically live in grasslands, forest edges, meadows, open woodlands, gardens, backyards, and parks. When in search of food, they will often hunt insects in flight or feed on bird feeders.

3. Black-Chinned Hummingbird

Black-Chinned Hummingbirds (Archilochus alexandri) are a rarity in West Virginia, but there have been a few sightings of these lovely birds in the past. They typically live in the west of the U.S. and even Canada, but they migrate to the Gulf Coast, which is probably why they sometimes wander away to West Virginia.

Unlike most hummingbirds, this species is not that colorful. The males have black heads and throats with black wings and long bills. The females have bodies of a mixture of black, yellow, and green, combined with pale white bellies with small markings. Their bills are emerald green and are typically longer than the males’.

These hummingbirds are also quite protective of their territory and will try to chase away other birds. They mainly feed on insects during flight and live in areas such as mountainous forests, lowland deserts, and urban areas.

4. Mexican Violetear (Green Violet-Ear Hummingbird)

Mexican Violetars (Colibri thalassinus), formerly known as Green Violet-Ear Hummingbirds, are among the most colorful hummingbirds that you can encounter in West Virginia. This species is native to Mexico, but it has been reported various times in the eastern and southeastern parts of the U.S.A.

These hummingbirds are the largest species on this list, with their length ranging between 3.8 and 4.7 inches and their weight between 0.2 and 0.3 ounces. They have dark emerald-green bodies, with blue cheeks and bellies and black wings. The females and males are similar, so it can be hard to distinguish between them.

5. Broad-Tailed Hummingbird

Broad-Tailed Hummingbirds (Selasphorus platycercus) mainly live in central and west America, but they visit the Gulf Coast area when they migrate, so it’s not uncommon for this species to wander around the territory of West Virginia.

These hummingbirds are small and have long bills and big heads. You can easily recognize the males of this species due to their colorful magenta necks. Their heads and backs are bright green, while their underwings are rosy gray. The females have white bellies, greenish/blue backs and wings, and black underwings.

You can commonly find the Broad-Tailed Hummingbird in oak woodlands, evergreen forests, high meadows, and shrubby habitats.

Conclusion

Every type of hummingbird that you can encounter in West Virginia is different. The most common one is the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, while the other species are rarer. You can try providing their favorite flowers and foods in your backyard, and you might get a chance to see one of these magnificent hummingbirds in person.

Featured Image Credit: Avia5, Pixabay