Hummingbirds (Family Trochilidae)

Hummingbirds are birds comprising the Family Trochilidae. They are
among the smallest of birds, and include the smallest extant bird species,
the bee hummingbirds. They can hover in mid-air by rapidly flapping
their wings 12–90 times per second (depending on the species). They
can also fly backwards, and are the only group of birds able to do so.
Their English name derives from the characteristic hum made by their
rapid wing beats. They can fly at speeds exceeding 15 m/s (54 km/h,
34 mi/h).

Hummingbirds are found natively in the Americas, from southern
Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, including the Caribbean. The majority of
species occur in tropical and subtropical Central and South America,
but several species also breed in temperate areas. Only the migratory
rubythroated hummingbird breeds in continental North America east
of the Mississippi River and Great Lakes. The blackchinned
hummingbird, its close relative and another migrant, is the most
widespread and common species in the western United States, while
the rufous hummingbird is the most widespread species in western
Canada.

Back to Inventory of Bird Families and Species