Close to fifty hummingbird species make their home in the Central American country of Honduras. They are most commonly found close to their favorite nectar-rich feeding plants, such as Salvia wildflowers, flowering bromeliad and Justicia species, mistletoe flowers, passionflowers, Opunita (cacti), convolvulaceae (vines), Inga trees (guama), Heliconia, cashew nut trees, Canna flowers and banana flowers.
Hummingbirds found in the USA (by U.S. State) … Canada … Mexico … Puerto Rico … Jamaica … Honduras
Honduran Emerald, Polyerata luciae – Endemic and critically endangered
Canivet’s or Fork-tailed Emerald, Chlorostilbon canivetii
Salvin’s Emerald, Chlorostilbon (mellisugus/canivetii) salvini – Similar to Canivet’s Emerald, except the inner tail feathers are tipped dark sooty grey and narrower, or grey tips entirely missing.
White-bellied Emerald, Agyrtria candida
Emerald-chinned Hummingbird, Abeillia abeillei – Rare. Only reported at Cerro Negro in Copan and at the Santa Barbara National Park.
Bronzy Hermit, Glaucis aenea
Long-billed Hermit or Western Long-tailed Hermit, Phaethornis longirostris
Stripe-throated Hermit Phaethornis striigularis
Band-tailed Barbthroat, Threnetes ruckeri
Scaly-breasted Hummingbird, Phaeochroa cuvierii
White-eared Hummingbird, Hylocharis leucotis – One of most common species found at higher elevations, particularly in southwestern Honduras.
Garnet-throated Hummingbird, Lamprolaima rhami – Restricted to higher elevations – mostly above 5,000 feet or 1,500m. They are found at Cerro Azul Meambar National Park, Marcala and at El Guisayote Biological Reserve.
Blue-throated Sapphire or Blue-Throated Goldentail, Hylocharis eliciae
Stripe-tailed Hummingbird, Eupherusa eximia – Identified by the conspicuous brown upper wing patch. Found in the pre-montane and lower montane forests throughout Honduras.
Wedge-tailed Sabrewing, Campylopterus curvipennis
Violet Sabrewing, Campylopterus hemileucurus
Violet-crowned Woodnymph, Thalurania colombica
White-necked Jacobin, Florisuga mellivora
Brown Violet-ear, Colibri delphinae
Green Violet-ear, Colibri thalassinus – Found throughout the highlands in open to semi-open areas.
Green-breasted Mangos, Anthracothorax prevostii
Violet-headed Hummingbird, Klais guimeti
Black-crested Coquette, Lophornis helenae
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Amazilia tzacatl
Buff-bellied Hummingbird, Amazilia yucatanensis
Cinnamon Hummingbird, Amazilia rutila
Azure-crowned Hummingbird, Amazilia cyanocephala – This dominant hummingbird species is usually found in highland areas with pine or oak forests, humid broadleaf forest and the La Mosquitia pine savanna.
White-bellied Hummingbird, Amazilia chionogaster)
Blue-chested Hummingbirds, Polyerata amabilis / Amazilia amabilis – Southeastern Honduras
Blue-tailed Hummingbird, Saucerottia / Amazilia cyanura
Magnificent (Rivoli’s) Hummingbird, Eugenes fulgens
Plain-capped Starthroat Heliomaster constantii
Long-billed Starthroat Heliomaster longirostris
Purple-crowned Fairy , Heliothryx barroti
Berylline Hummingbird, Saucerottia beryllina
Snowcap Hummingbirds, Microchera albocoronata
Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer aka Red-footed Plumeleteer, Chalybura urochrysia
Purple-throated Mountain-gem, Lampornis calolaema
Green-throated Mountain-gem, Lampornis viridipallens – Fairly common above 3,300 feet (~ 1,000 meters). Sightings reported in the Celaque National Park and in the mountains around the town of Marcala in La Paz.
Green-breasted Mountain-gem, Lampornis sybillae – Found in the montane forests east of the Sula Valley to north-central Nicaragua.
Amethyst-throated Hummingbird, Lampornis amethystinus – Large hummingbird. Most common throughout the highlands of Honduras.
Sparkling-tailed Woodstar, Tilmatura dupontii, also known as the Sparkling-Tailed Hummingbird – This is the only hummingbird species where the males have blue throat patches (gorgets). They are also easily identified by the white collars around their necks and the long, checkered tails. They are most common in northern Nicaragua, specifically the highlands of Marcala, but they can also be found at scattered localities in Honduras.
Slender Sheartail, Doricha enicura
Wine-throated Hummingbird, Atthis ellioti – Uncommon to locally common in the highlands of western Honduras.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Archilochus colubris – Rare. Migrating males are usually the first to arrive and the first to depart. The females and the young usually follow about two weeks later.
Hummingbird Resources
- Hummingbird Information
- Hummingbird Amazing Facts
- Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Garden
- Hummingbird Species
- Feeding Hummingbirds
