Illinois has wonderful birding! Huge numbers of migrants pass through Illinois, and lots of interesting species live in the state’s woodlands and grassland habitats.
While Illinois is pretty far north for eastern hummingbirds, they still visit the state every year. According to eBird data, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a common breeding bird and some other rare vagrants have visited Illinois too!
Which brings us to the following question – which species can you see exactly?
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Photograph © Greg Lavaty.
Scientific name: Archilochus colubris
Length: 3.75 inches
Wingspan: 4.5 inches
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the common, small hummingbird of eastern North America. Although other, rare species can occasionally occur, at eastern feeders, this species is the de-facto hummingbird.
Males are green above, have some olive on their belly, a white chest and semi-collar, and a tiny white spot behind each eye. True to their name, they also have a beautiful, ruby-red throat. However, as with most hummingbirds, those colors only show in certain lighting.
They also have a dark, slightly forked tail, and a long, needle-like beak. Female Ruby-throated Hummingbirds look quite different from their male counterparts! They are also green above but have a grayish throat, and white tips on their tail.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are common in woods, second growth, and gardens near woods from central and southern Canada to Florida and Texas. Although they feed on their own, several can congregate at feeders, especially during migration! They also feed from a wide variety of small flowers.
Key identifications:
- Red throat and white semi-collar.
- Dark, slightly forked tail.
- Females have a white spot behind their eyes, a hint of a dusky mask, and the tail of perched birds is longer than their wingtips.
Rare Visitors
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Scientific name: Selasphorus platcercus
Length: 4 inches
Wingspan: 5.25 inches
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds are one of the more common hummingbird species in the Rocky Mountains. If you see a hummingbird while birding in and near the Rockies during the summer months, there’s a good chance it’s a Broad-tailed.
These montane hummingbirds are green above, buffy and green below, have a pale eyering, and a bit of orange on the base of their big, broad tail. Males also have a rose-red throat, while females have small spots on their throat.
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds are not too common in Illinois; they usually keep to the west. However, there have been some rare spottings, even as far northeast as Maine.
Key identifications:
- Rose-red throat with green and buff underparts.
- Pale eyering.
- A bit of orange on the base of its big, broad tail.
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Scientific name: Archilocus alexandri
Length: 3.75 inches
Wingspan: 4.75 inches
Black-chinned Hummingbirds replace the Ruby-throated Hummingbird west of the Rocky Mountains and in parts of central and southern Texas. They are green above and dusky gray below with a white semi-collar and small pale spot behind their eyes.
Males have a beautiful dark purple throat with a black chin, and a black, slightly forked tail. Females have a dusky gray throat, grayish crown, hint of a dark mask, and a slightly forked tail with white tips on the outer tail feathers.
Black-chinned Hummingbirds sometimes find their way to Illinois, but it’s a pretty rare occurrence.
Key identifications:
- Dark throat with a white semi-collar.
- Grayish belly and black, slightly forked tail.
- On females, look for the grayish crown, long, slightly curved beak, and rounded wing tips that nearly reach the end of their tail.
Rufous Hummingbird
Scientific name: Selasphorus rufus
Length: 3.75 inches
Wingspan: 4.5 inches
Rufous Hummingbirds breed in the coniferous forests of the Pacific Northwest and then fly to central Mexico for the winter. Some even breed as far north as southern Alaska!
Males are pretty, pumpkin orange hummingbirds with white on the upper part of their chest, and an orange-red throat. Some males also have green on their back and crown.
Female Rufous Hummingbirds are green above and white below with pale rufous highlights on their underparts. They also have rufous on the base of their tail, and white tips on their outer tail feathers.
Just as the previous species, Rufous Hummingbirds are rare visitors in Illinois, but over the years, they have been spotted a few times.
Key identifications:
- Pumpkin orange plumage, especially on the back and head.
- Orange-red throat.
- Rufous on the base of their tail and rump, and broad outer tail feathers.
Anna’s Hummingbird
Scientific name: Calypte anna
Length: 4 inches
Wingspan: 5.25 inches
Anna’s Hummingbirds are one of the most common hummingbirds on the west coast. These little beauties live in parks, gardens, and similar habitats from British Columbia to northern Mexico.
Ornamental plantings and gardens have also helped this little bird expand to many parts of Arizona. Anna’s Hummingbirds are dusky green, have straight beaks, and a bit of white above their eyes.
Although females are fairly dull, male Anna’s Hummingbirds have shining fuchsia pink-red on their throat and head. This species is pretty common and easy to see in most of its range.
Although Anna’s Hummingbirds live in the west, some have ventured off to the east. There have some rare spottings in Illinois.
Key identifications:
- Males have pink-red on their heads.
- Both sexes have dusky-gray-green underparts.
- White mark above and behind each eye.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are hummingbirds common in Illinois?
Yes, hummingbirds are common in Illinois. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a common summer resident.
Are there hummingbirds in Chicago?
Yes, there are hummingbirds in Chicago, mostly the Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
How long do hummingbirds stay in Illinois?
Most hummingbirds stay for the summer in Illinois. However, some rare hummingbirds have also stayed in Illinois for the fall and winter.
More in Illinois: Most common birds | Hawks | Owls | Woodpeckers | Ducks | State Bird