Hummingbirds
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Hummingbirds feed on nectar and insects. They must eat frequently. They prefer red tubular flowers. Of the hummingbirds listed, the Ruby-throated is the most common and the only hummingbird that breeds in Florida. The Buff-bellied Hummingbird is a rare winter visitor to the panhandle, the Bahama Woodstar is sometimes seen in south Florida from April to October, Anna's Hummingbird has been spotted in the eastern panhandle in winter, and Calliope's Hummingbird has been seen in December in the western panhandle. All will visit nectar feeders but none use nest boxes. Hummers build tiny (1.5" diameter) cup-shaped nests which they attach to plants with spider webs. |
| name | area | season | diet/native food plants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black-chinned Hummingbird | NCS | SpFW | nectar*, insects cardinal flower, coral bean, cross vine, firebush, geiger tree, hawthorn, honeysuckle, lyre-leaf sage, necklace pod, red buckeye, scarlet rose mallow, seashore mallow, seven-year apple, standing cypress, sweet pepperbush, tropical sage, trumpet vine, tuliptree, turk's cap, wild rosemary |
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | NC S | SpSuFW-B SpFW | |
| Rufous Hummingbird | NCS | SpFW | |
Sp=spring Su=summer F=fall W=winter B=breeds in Florida during season(s) underlined M=Migrant | |||