Ruby-throated Hummingbird photo by Jim Konrad

As the winter progresses, Louisiana continues to build a case as a true winter hummingbird hotspot – one of the best in the United States – both for diversity and abundance. A total of 8 different species were reported that totaled almost 200 hummingbirds statewide! The most common species reported are Rufous, Ruby-throated, and Black-chinned Hummingbirds, along with less common Calliope Hummingbirds, Buff-bellied Hummers and a Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, plus the rarest of these species – three Broad-billed Hummingbirds.

This interesting information about wintering hummingbirds in Louisiana has been collected through the diligent efforts of Eric Johnson, who continues to document a wealth of information week after week with the help of other birders, including many backyard enthusiasts. It should be noted that in some cases, female and immature hummingbirds of similar-looking, closely related species are nearly impossible to differentiate in the wild, so they are listed as separate sub-groups noted with an asterisk below (*). In the case of the combined numbers of Rufous or Allen’s Hummingbirds, it is expected that most of these individuals were Rufous Hummers.

Below is a summary of hummingbird sightings reported in Louisiana up to February 2nd:

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds 38 reports from 26 sites in 12 parishes

Black-chinned Hummingbirds 20 reports from 13 sites in 8 parishes
* Ruby-throated or Black-chinned Hummingbirds 2 reports from 2 sites in 1 parish
Rufous Hummingbirds 36 reports from 23 sites in 10 parishes
* Rufous or Allen’s Hummingbirds 81 reports from 49 sites in 15 parishes

Buff-bellied Hummingbirds 17 reports from 14 sites in 9 parishes

Calliope Hummingbirds 5 reports from 5 sites in 4 parishes

Broad-billed Hummingbirds 3 reports from 3 sites in 3 parishes
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds 1 report from 1 site in 1 parish

To get the full report of parish by parish hummingbird sightings this winter in Louisiana, you can refer to http://birding.aba.org/message.php?mesid=1521916&MLID=LA&MLNM=Louisiana