How many kinds of hummingbirds are there in the world?

How many kinds of hummingbirds are there in the world is a question I asked myself the first time one hovered near my window. I was amazed. These birds felt endless. The more I learned, the more curious I became. Their variety is larger than most people ever expect.

How many kinds of hummingbirds are there in the world

Short answer: There are about 360 kinds of hummingbirds in the world today.
That number still surprises me every time I say it out loud.

I remember the first time I learned this fact. I had only seen two hummingbirds in my life back then. They looked small. Almost the same. Then I dug deeper. There are roughly 360 hummingbird species worldwide, and each one feels like a tiny miracle.

Most people think hummingbirds are just backyard birds. That’s not true. Hummingbirds live only in the Americas, from Alaska all the way down to southern Chile. That wide range helps explain why there are so many kinds.

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Short answer: Most hummingbird species live in Central and South America.
Only a small number reach North America.

From my own reading and birdwatching, I learned that about two-thirds of all hummingbird species live in South America. Places like Ecuador and Colombia are hummingbird hotspots. Some valleys there hold more species than entire countries elsewhere.

I once spoke with a traveler who watched hummingbirds in the Andes. He said it felt like watching flying jewels. That image stuck with me. Different climates create different hummingbirds, and mountains especially drive that diversity.

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Short answer: New hummingbird species are still being studied and reclassified.
The number is not fully fixed.

Science keeps moving. The count hovers around 360 species, but it changes slightly as DNA studies improve. Some birds get split into two species. Others get merged. That’s nature being complex, not messy.

I like that uncertainty. It reminds me that we don’t know everything yet. Even with all our tech, tiny birds still hold secrets. That makes hummingbirds feel alive in more ways than one.

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Short answer: Each hummingbird species is adapted to a specific flower or habitat.
That’s why there are so many kinds.

Think of hummingbirds like keys. Each one fits a certain flower shape. Long bills. Curved bills. Short bills. Nature fine-tuned them over time. This specialization led to more species, not fewer.

When I watch hummingbirds at feeders, I notice how different they act. Some hover calmly. Some chase everything that moves. Behavior also helps set species apart, not just looks.

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Short answer: You may only see a few species locally, but many exist worldwide.
Local view is not the full picture.

In my own yard, I usually see just one type. That once made me think hummingbirds were limited. They are not. Most species live far from human feeders, deep in forests and mountains.

Here’s a quick way to picture it:

• About 360 hummingbird species exist worldwide
• Over 240 species live in South America
• Around 15–20 species regularly appear in the U.S.
• Some species live on single islands or valleys

That contrast still amazes me.

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Short answer: Hummingbirds show how small animals can hold huge diversity.
They are proof that size does not limit wonder.

Every time I write about hummingbirds, I feel humbled. These birds weigh less than a coin. Yet they represent one of the most diverse bird families on Earth. That fact never gets old.

If you ever feel like nature has shown you all its tricks, hummingbirds say otherwise. There are hundreds of kinds, and each one beats its wings like it matters. Because it does.

Hummingbird species by state

Short answer: Each U.S. state has between 1 and 15 hummingbird species, depending on location.
Some states see many. Others see just one.

From my own experience, this surprised me. I once thought hummingbirds were the same everywhere. They are not. Arizona leads the list, with more hummingbird species than any other state. Alaska, on the other hand, usually sees just the Rufous Hummingbird.

Here’s a simple way to think about it:

• Western states have more species
• Eastern states usually see 1–3 species
• Southern states get more migrants

Hummingbirds follow flowers, not borders. States are just stops on their map.

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Extinct hummingbird species

Short answer: Very few hummingbird species are confirmed extinct.
That is rare, and that matters.

This part always makes me pause. Birds vanish fast in many groups. Hummingbirds have been more resilient, mostly because many live in remote places. Still, habitat loss is a real threat.

I’ve learned that some hummingbirds are known only from old records. Others may be gone, but we can’t say for sure. Extinction is often quiet, not loud.

What worries me most:

• Forest loss
• Climate shifts
• Loss of native flowers

Protecting plants protects hummingbirds too.

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Rare hummingbird species

Short answer: Some hummingbird species exist in very small numbers or tiny areas.
Rarity is often about range, not beauty.

I remember reading about hummingbirds that live on one mountain. Just one. If that habitat fails, the bird has nowhere to go. That fragility stuck with me.

Rare hummingbirds often share these traits:

• Very small range
• Special food needs
• High elevation homes

They are reminders. Nature balances on fine threads.

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Hummingbird species chart

Short answer: A hummingbird species chart helps compare size, range, and habitat.
It turns confusion into clarity.

When I first studied hummingbirds, charts saved me. Names blur fast. Charts slow things down. They show patterns your brain misses at first.

Most charts include:

• Species name
• Average size
• Range
• Migration status

I still use charts today. They feel like maps for learning.

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Hummingbird species name

Short answer: Hummingbird names often reflect color, place, or people.
Names tell stories.

Some names feel poetic. Ruby-throated. Violet-crowned. Others honor explorers or regions. I enjoy that mix of science and humanity.

From my reading, names usually come from:

• Bright features
• Geographic range
• Historical figures

Once you learn the meaning, the bird feels familiar. Almost personal.

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Largest hummingbird species

Short answer: The Giant Hummingbird is the largest hummingbird species.
It still looks small to us.

This one blew my mind. The Giant Hummingbird lives in South America. It is about 9 inches long, nearly twice the size of most hummingbirds. Yet it still hovers like magic.

What makes it special:

• Long wings
• Slower wingbeats
• Cold mountain habitat

Even the biggest hummingbird stays humble. That feels poetic to me.

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If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: hummingbirds reward curiosity. The more you look, the more layers you see. And somehow, they keep feeling new.

Conclusion

How many kinds of hummingbirds are there in the world still amazes me every time I revisit the answer. Knowing there are hundreds makes each sighting feel special. Each bird is a small part of a much bigger story worth exploring.