All Abuzz With Arizona Hummingbirds
Explore the hummingbirds commonly seen around greater Phoenix, along with a few easy ways to spot them during your stay.
Why We Love Arizona Hummingbirds
We are always amazed by the tiny hummingbirds that zip through gardens and parks across the Sonoran Desert. Even though they are small, they are fast, territorial, and incredibly skilled in flight. In southeastern Arizona, more than a dozen species may appear as residents, seasonal visitors, or migrants, while the greater Phoenix area regularly sees a smaller group of common species.
Hummingbirds We Commonly See Near Phoenix
Common Species
These are some of the hummingbirds guests are most likely to spot around the greater Phoenix area
Allen’s Hummingbird
A small migrating hummingbird with copper, orange, and green tones that passes through Arizona in spring and fall
Anna’s Hummingbird
One of the hummingbirds guests are most likely to see near Phoenix, especially in gardens and areas with exotic plants
Black-chinned Hummingbird
A common summer hummingbird in Arizona that adapts well to cities, flowering trees, and feeding stations
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
A native hummingbird tied to higher elevations, known for metallic wing sounds and bright throat coloring in males
Calliope Hummingbird
The smallest hummingbird in the area, but still bold and highly active during migration through Arizona
Costa’s Hummingbird
A desert-loving hummingbird often linked to scrub habitats and desert plants such as ocotillo and chuparosa
Rufous Hummingbird
A bold migratory visitor known for its strong territorial behavior around flowers and hummingbird feeders
How We Recommend Seeing More of Them
When guests want to look for hummingbirds around Phoenix, we recommend places like Desert Botanical Garden, Gilbert Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch, Desert Breeze Park, and the Rio Salado Audubon Center. We also like attracting them with nectar feeders and native tubular flowers such as salvias, penstemon, columbine, and bee balm. For homemade nectar, we recommend one cup of white sugar to four cups of water, with no dyes or food coloring added.
Planning Time Outdoors?