Identifying various species of hummingbirds can often be quite difficult, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience at it or even depending on the particular species of bird. It is my hope that these few tips will help you in your efforts to identify the various species that you see in your area of the country. You may also want to get yourself a book on the subject of hummingbirds that will offer further information that will aid you in your attempts to identify the various species of hummingbirds.
The gorget is the bright-colored area on the throat and chin of the male hummingbird. This is found only on male hummingbirds.
The helmet is a bright-colored area on the forehead and crown, which is only found on some species.
Whenever trying to identify the various parts of a hummingbird, it is a good idea to look at the tail. You should determine if the tail contains any white or rufous spots. Then you should determine where the spots are on the tail. How big are the spots?
It is important to look at the hummingbird’s bill. In some species, the bill may be unusually long while other species have relatively short bills. There are even a few species that have a bright red bill.
Happy hummingbird watching everyone! I hope these tips will help you in your efforts to identify various species of hummingbirds that are found in your specific areas of the country. Also, may this information help make you experience of birdwatching that much more enjoyable.