International Hummingbird Society

05/29/2026

A hummingbird's shimmering iridescent throat feathers are called its "gorget". The term originates from the middle ages long ago when knights wore a metallic collar, or gorget, to protect their throats. I guess you can call these guys knights in “shining” armor 😉.

(Ruby-throated hummingbird | Archilochus colubris)

📸Photo credits: Daniel Gerstman

05/28/2026

The Rivoli's Hummingbird, previously known as the magnificent hummingbird, is one of three large hummingbirds that occur regularly in North America. They range from south-eastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico to the Davis Mountains in Texas through the Sierra Madre Occidental south, intermittently to Panama. Rivoli's often cross over 50 miles to other sky islands to feed on insects, and nectar from flowers with long corollas. Their calls are a sharp ‘chick’ or ‘tzick’ notes, with the males producing long and bubbly songs when perched.

(Male Rivoli's Hummingbird | Eugenes fulgens)

📸Photo credits: Anthony Lujan

05/24/2026

It's Sponsor Sunday!
We are proud to recognize Rancho Naturalista as an official lodge sponsor of the International Hummingbird Society.

Rancho Naturalista, the premier Costa Rica Birding lodge, stands as one of the finest in all of Central America. We are known as the “Home of the Snowcap” a beautiful wine-colored hummingbird with a brilliant white cap. Situated in a prime location with over 450 species of birds recorded in our private rainforest reserve and the surrounding area. The lodge boasts an abundant population of hummingbirds, (over 36 species have been recorded over the years) many which can be seen on the large, open upstairs balcony where you can gaze out at the distant smoking volcano. Rancho Naturalista is an ideal destination for both the novice birdwatcher as well as seasoned birding enthusiasts and bird photographers. You can hike and bird the trails on your own or hire one of our excellent guides who are also available. We are well known for our delicious gourmet meals. Our lodge offers a warm relaxed vibe and friendly welcoming staff.
36 species of hummingbirds have been recorded, including the Snowcap Hummingbird, Black-crested Coquette, Green-breasted Mango, Green Thorntail, and the Garden Emerald.

For more information visit-
https://www.hummingbirdsociety.org/sponsors/hummingbird-lodges

05/23/2026

Meet the 2026 Sedona Hummingbird Festival bird, the Chilean Woodstar!

The Chilean Woodstar is one of the world’s rarest and most threatened hummingbirds. Found in the driest desert in the world, the Atacama Desert, Chilean Woodstars have seen their habitat changed and their population shrink dramatically over the past decades, resulting in this tiny bird teetering on the brink of extinction.

(Chilean Woodstar | Eulidia yarrellii)

Get tickets to the Sedona Hummingbird Festival today through the link in our bio!

📸Photo credit: Anthony Lujan

05/21/2026

Did you know that a hummingbird's tongue wraps around the inside of their skull?!

This is due to the fact that their tongues are one-third of the size of their body!
Hummingbirds use their long, forked tongues to drink nectar, which rapidly flicks in and out of their mouth 12 times per second. Once they finish drinking, they need somewhere to store this long appendage. As their tongue retracts back into their mouth, it wraps around the jaw, behind, and over its head, resting on a structure called a hyoid apparatus.

(Anna's Hummingbird | Calypte anna)

📸Photo credit: Greg Griffin

05/17/2026

It's Sponsor Sunday!
We are proud to recognize Duco Lodge as an official lodge sponsor of the International Hummingbird Society.

Nestled in Eldorado, São Paulo, Brazil, Duco Lodge offers five cozy rooms featuring en-suite bathrooms, enjoy both hot and cold water for your relaxation. Our grounds are a haven for vibrant hummingbirds, wildlife, including toucans, and tanagers, complemented by feeding stations and hides for close-up views. We provide expert guiding and multi-flash services to enhance your experience. Whether you're staying the night or visiting for the day, we eagerly welcome you to connect with nature at Duco Lodge.
There are up to 20 different species of hummingbirds, including the endemic Festive Coquette, endemic Saw-billed Hermit, endemic Frilled Coquette, Black-eared Fairy, Black Jacobin, Glittering-throated Emerald, Sombre Hummingbird and more!

For more information visit-
https://www.hummingbirdsociety.org/sponsors/hummingbird-lodges

05/14/2026

Many hummingbird species will spend their winters in Central America, and Mexico, and will migrate north to their breeding grounds across the southern United States throughout the entirety of spring, yet starting as early as February. Research has shown that during migration across the Gulf they may cover up to 500 miles at a time, and fly at an average speed of 25-30 mph.

(Rufous Hummingbird | Selasphorus rufus)

📸Photo credit: Greg Griffin

05/10/2026

It's Sponsor Sunday!
We are proud to recognize Rogitama Biodiversity as an official lodge sponsor of the International Hummingbird Society.

Rogitama Biodiversity, a 29-hectare nature reserve founded in 1982 by Roberto Chavarro, began as a restoration project for oak woods and degraded land. Now a vital genetic reservoir, it hosts 243 bird species, including the endemic Black Inca and Short-tailed Emerald, making it a prime destination for birdwatching and ecotourism.
There are up to 25 different species of hummingbirds, including the endemic and vulnerable Black Inca, Buff-tailed Coronet, Lazuline Sabrewing, Lesser Violetear, Longuemare’s Sunangel, Short-tailed Emerald, White-bellied Woodstar and White-booted Racket-tail.

For more information visit-
https://www.hummingbirdsociety.org/sponsors/hummingbird-lodges

05/10/2026

Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms out there!

Female hummingbirds are small, yet mighty independent. From constructing the nest over the span of a couple days, to then incubating the eggs around the clock, the females do it all with little to no help from the males. Even after the eggs hatch, the females are still the ones solely responsible to care for their young, and will continue to do so for up to a month until they fledge from the nest. She may even start the process all over again with a new brood within the same nesting season.

(Female Anna's Hummingbird | Calypte anna)

📸Photo credit: Mike Ashbee

05/08/2026

Tickets are on sale now for the 12th Annual Sedona Hummingbird Festival! It is a can’t-miss event located in the heart of Sedona’s spectacular red rock landscape, featuring 14 different speaker presentations on various hummingbird topics, hummingbird garden tours, banding demonstrations, birding field trips, breakfasts with hummingbirds, a hummingbird marketplace filled with hummingbird-related supplies, gifts, and art, an amazing raffle, a photo contest, a display of hummingbird paintings by local artists, a fun festival dinner, a Kids Day featuring crafts, activities, and live animals, a plant sale, and pre-festival workshops on hummingbird photography and painting.

The stars of the event are the hummingbirds! There are dozens of hummingbirds at the feeders right at Hummingbird Central (also known as the Sedona Performing Arts Center). You can see even more hummingbirds at our banding locations, and at the Gardens Tour. As many as eight species of hummer can be found in the Sedona area during the festival — how many will you see?

Sedona Hummingbird Festival Sedona Hummingbird Festival July 24-26, 2026 July 24-26, 2026 LEARN MORE The most beautiful place in America to see hummingbirds. Come join us! FREE ADMISSION TO HUMMINGBIRD CENTRAL--No need to register! (Purchase