A collection of the best fliers in the avian world! My most satisfying photography experiences are taking hummingbird flight shots without man-made objects such as feeders, wires, etc. For this one absolutely needs a long fast lens and good anticipation, even at feeding stations.

I added significantly to my count in 2023-24, between 2 trips to Panama (saw 26 species and photographed 16) and Arizona (saw 12 and photographed 11). My total is 41 species (with the Buff-bellied counted twice). 

In the US, Arizona in fall is the best place for hummers, with a possible 14 species out of the total 18 or so regular US species. In Central and South America, one could pick up dozens of species in a single trip. Colombia leads the world with a staggering 165 species, followed by Ecuador and Peru with >120; closer to home are Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama, each with 50-60 species.   

After Arizona, inspired by fellow birder Georges (whose life list of hummers hit 111 on the trip!), I decided to start listing my hummers. Below are my hummers, color coded for the country (just the US and Panama so far). As usual, * indicates I do not have an image.

  1. Allen's Hummingbird  (Selasphorus sasin),    * endemic*
  2. Anna's Hummingbird  (Calypte anna)
  3. Berylline Hummingbird  (Amazilia beryllina) *
  4. Black-chinned Hummingbird  (Archilochus alexandri)
  5. Blue-throated Mountain-gem  (Lampornis clemenciae)
  6. Broad-billed Hummingbird  (Cynanthus latirostris)
  7. Broad-tailed Hummingbird  (Selasphorus platycercus)
  8. Buff-bellied Hummingbird  (Amazilia yucatanensis)
  9. Calliope Hummingbird  (Selasphorus calliope)
  10. Costa's Hummingbird  (Calypte costae)
  11. Lucifer Hummingbird  (Calothorax lucifer)
  12. Rivoli's Hummingbird  (Eugenes fulgens)
  13. Ruby-throated Hummingbird  (Archilochus colubris)
  14. Rufous Hummingbird  (Selasphorus rufus)
  15. Violet-crowned Hummingbird  (Amazilia violiceps)
  16. White-eared Hummingbird  (Hylocharis leucotis)
  17. Buff-bellied Hummingbird  (Amazilia yucatanensis) * - note: also in the US list above
  18. Cinnamon Hummingbird  (Amazilia rutila)
  19. White-necked Jacobin  (Florisuga mellivora)
  20. Green Hermit  (Phaethornis guy) *
  21. Long-billed Hermit  (Phaethornis longirostris) 
  22. Stripe-throated Hermit  (Phaethornis striigularis)
  23. Veraguan Mango  (Anthracothorax veraguensis)      *endemic*
  24. Black-throated Mango  (Anthracothorax nigricollis)
  25. Rufous-crested Coquette  (Lophornis delattrei)
  26. Long-billed Starthroat  (Heliomaster longirostris)
  27. Garden Emerald  (Chlorostilbon assimilis)
  28. Violet-headed Hummingbird  (Klais guimeti)
  29. Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer  (Chalybura urochrysia) *
  30. White-vented Plumeleteer  (Chalybura buffonii) *
  31. Crowned Woodnymph  (Thalurania colombica) *
  32. Snowy-breasted  (aka Snowy-bellied) Hummingbird  (Amazilia edward) *
  33. Rufous-tailed Hummingbird  (Amazilia tzacatl)
  34. Sapphire-throated Hummingbird  (Lepidopyga coeruleogularis)
  35. Blue-chested Hummingbird  (Amazilia amabilis)
  36. Violet-bellied Hummingbird  (Juliamyia julie)
  37. Scintillant Hummingbird  (Selasphorus scintilla) *
  38. Stripe-tailed Hummingbird  (Eupherusa eximia) *
  39. Lesser Violetear  (Colibri cyanotus) 
  40. Green-crowned Brilliant  (Heliodoxa jacula) *
  41. White-throated Mountain-gem  (Lampornis castaneoventris)
  42. Violet Sabrewing  (Campylopterus hemileucurus) *

​ Image to be added: Ruby-throated (TN); label all as well.