Quiz: How Well Do You Know Your Western Hummingbirds?

Think you can tell a Calliope from a Costa's? Let's find out.
Can you name these fancy boys?

Of all the hummingbirds in the Americas鈥攚hich is to say, every last one of the family鈥檚 350-plus species鈥攂irders in the United States are lucky enough to have regular chances at seeing 15 varieties. A single species, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, spends most of its time in eastern states. For the rest, you have to head west.

The dazzling diversity of hummingbirds in the West is largely thanks to the region鈥檚 varied, mountainous terrain and corresponding abundance of flowering plants from which to sip energy-rich nectar. At the right time and place, you can easily see half a dozen hummingbird species at a western feeding station鈥攂ut can you tell the males of each apart just by their flashy feathers?

Test your hummer ID skills below, and check for the correct answers at the bottom. Or just enjoy this gallery of gorgeous gorgets instead. 

Need Some Help?

Hardcore hummingbird heads can keep scrolling, but if you aren't even sure which names you can choose from for this quiz, expand the box for an alphabetical list of the hummers featured here. 

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Allen鈥檚 Hummingbird
Anna鈥檚 Hummingbird
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Blue-throated Mountain-gem
Broad-billed Hummingbird
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Buff-belied Hummingbird
Calliope Hummingbird
Costa鈥檚 Hummingbird
Lucifer Hummingbird
Rivoli鈥檚 Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Violet-crowned Hummingbird
White-eared Hummingbird


Take the Quiz

Mystery Hummingbird #1


Mystery Hummingbird #2 


Mystery Hummingbird #3 


Mystery Hummingbird #4 


Mystery Hummingbird #5 


Mystery Hummingbird #6

 


Mystery Hummingbird #7


Mystery Hummingbird #8


Mystery Hummingbird #9


Mystery Hummingbird #10 


Mystery Hummingbird #12


Mystery Hummingbird #13


Mystery Hummingbird #14 


Mystery Hummingbird #15 


Answer Key: 

1.) Costa鈥檚 Hummingbird

2.) Anna鈥檚 Hummingbird

3.) Broad-tailed Hummingbird

4.) Allen鈥檚 Hummingbird

5.) Broad-billed Hummingbird

6.) Violet-crowned Hummingbird

7.) Lucifer Hummingbird

8.) Rivoli鈥檚 Hummingbird

9.) Buff-bellied Hummingbird

10.) White-eared Hummingbird

11.) Blue-throated Mountain-gem

12.) Black-chinned Hummingbird

13.) Rufous Hummingbird

14.) Calliope Hummingbird