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Hummingbirds in Virginia: 9 Species with Pictures for You to Identify

SR Sofia Reyes Science Writer August 13, 2026 2 min read № 045
Hummingbirds in Virginia: 9 Species with Pictures for You to Identify

It’s always a joy to spot a colorful hummingbird. Hummingbirds are fascinating, and there’s always something new to learn about them. Despite their small size, these birds are agile flyers and fearless birds. They’re not scared to chase away larger birds that come near their food sources. They’re also the smallest long-distance migratory birds. It’s impressive the distances they can cross in one flight. Because we know many people love to see hummingbirds in their backyards and learn about them, we created a list of the nine species of hummingbirds that you can find in Virginia. Let’s get started! 9 Species of Hummingbirds in Virginia According to theVSO Field Checklistof theVirginia Society of Ornithology, nine species of hummingbirds can be found in Virginia. Two of these species are common in the state. These are Ruby-throated and Rufous Hummingbirds. The other seven species are rare or accidental in the state. These include the Rivoli’s, Black-chinned, Anna’s, Calliope, Allen’s, Violet-crowned, and Buff-bellied hummingbirds. Here’s a list of these nine beautiful, tinyhummingbirds: 1. Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds Scientific Name: Archilochus colubris Length: 3 to 4 in Weight: 0.1 to 0.2 oz Wingspan: 3 to 4.5 in The Ruby-throated Hummingbirdis the only breeding species of hummingbird in North America. It’s also the most common. In Virginia, these birds start arriving in April during the spring. Males usually arrive earlier than females, by one to two weeks. These beautiful birds hang out in Virginia for the entire summer and start their migration journey back to their wintering homes in September or mid-October. They winter in Central America, particularly Mexico. You can also find someRuby-throated Hummingbirdswintering in Virginia. However, this is not so common. Top Tip:Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have emerald or golden-green upper bodies and grayish underparts. You can differentiate between males and females of this species by their

It’s always a joy to spot a colorful hummingbird.