It’s hummingbird season in Texas. Here’s how to identify 9 species you’ll likely see

The world’s tiniest bird is heading back to Texas for the spring.

Nine species of hummingbirds are common in Texas, and another six have made appearances in the state, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife. That’s out of the 18 found regularly in the U.S. and more than 300 around the world.

Due to the bird’s high energy output and dependence on plant nectar, its northward migration is timed around the blooming of flowers that will meet the hummingbird’s feeding needs.

When to expect Texas hummingbirds

The most common species, namely the ruby-throated and black-chinned hummingbirds, arrive in Texas between mid-March and May. They breed from late March to early September, and depart from July to mid-November.

The ruby-throats travel 2,500 miles from Alaska to Mexico and fly nonstop across the Gulf of Mexico. Black-chins winter in Northeast and Western Mexico. Many hummingbirds stop in coastal Texas for a few weeks before heading to their winter homes in Mexico and Central America.

How to identify hummingbird species

The hummingbird is known for its vibrant colors, which are often used to name the species. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are common in East Texas and the rare blue-throated hummingbirds in Southwest Texas. The black-chinned hummingbird is most abundant in the state, living in Central and West Texas.

• Ruby-throated hummingbird: Most likely April through September. Identify through short and stout bill, yellow green back and long tail that sticks out past tip of wings.

• Black-chinned hummingbird: Most numerous March through October. Identify through long slender slightly downcurved bill, gray green back and tail that does not significantly protrude past tip of wings.

• Buff-bellied hummingbird: In South Texas and along the coast. Seen as far north as Bastrop and Washington counties during summer. Observed most commonly from March through August. Identify through straight red bill with black tip, deep green top half, cinammon colored tail and wings and clicking call.
  
  

• Rufous hummingbird: Mountains of West Texas during migration. Look for red in tail and flanks.
  
  

• Broad-tailed hummingbird: Mountains of West Texas during migration. More likely March through November. Red coloring, huge round tail and wing trill.

• Calliope hummingbird: In West Texas during migration. Most numerous July through September. Smallest with short straight bill, short tail and long wings.

• Magnificent hummingbird: In mountains of West Texas. More likely April through September. Long and sleek with solid coloring from head to tail and extremely long bill.

• Lucifer hummingbird: Found in lowland areas of West Texas. More likely late May through early September. Short body, large head, short wings, long forked tail and black downcurved bill.

• Blue-throated hummingbird: Nests in Chisos Mountains and occasionally in Davis and Guadalupe Mountains. Most common late April through mid-August. Largest with gray green back, large black tail with white tip and lined eyes.
  
  

• Anna’s hummingbird: Can be seen in Semi desert areas of West and North Texas with overgrown fields and scattered trees. Peaks September to December. Can be identified through red helmet and black tail.

How to attract, feed hummingbirds

Having a hummingbird feeder allows you to watch the birds up close in your backyard. Most will feature artificial red flowers that tend to attract hummers. While having a backyard feeder will allow you to attract hummingbirds, proper care and maintenance of the feeder is necessary in order to prevent harming the birds.

• In the hummingbird feeder, you can use a sugar-water mixture that is one part sugar to four or five parts water.

• Change it every few days to keep it from fermenting and scrub the feeder to prevent mold.

• The general recommendation is to put up feeders by the Ides of March, March 15 up until two weeks after you’ve seen the last hummingbird.

• You can leave your feeder up all year if you’d like to attract winter species like the Rufous hummingbird, per TPWD.

• Aside from installing a feeder, you can attract a larger, more diverse group of hummingbirds by providing a garden full of brightly colored flowers, a water source and a few perching trees. Make sure the water is very shallow or has a dripper or mister attachment, TPWD recommends.

• Hummingbird flowers are typically bright orange or red and have very long trumpet-shaped flowers, very small or non-existent petals, little or no scent and hang down. However, hummingbirds will feed on any flower that has ample nectar.

• Plants that attract hummingbirds include: Turk’s cap, morning-glory, silver-leaf sunflower, coral vine, esperanza or yellow alder, trumpet vine, all honeysuckles, coral-bean, hibiscus, azalea, bee balm, bergamot, columbine, tiger lily, larkspur, nasturtium, scarlet sage, beauty bush, butterfly bush, weigela, cardinal flower, coral bells, foxglove, snapdragon, scarlet salvia, pea tree, mimosa tree and horse chestnut.

To record your Texas hummingbird sightings and observations, share your photos in the Birds of Texas iNaturalist Project or in eBird.