Hummingbird Population by Country 2024

Thanks to their gorgeous plumage, tiny size, and awe-inspiring flying style, hummingbirds are among the world’s most beloved bird types. They can also be found in many different places around the world. However, hummingbird populations can vary greatly from one country to the next – particularly when it comes to certain species.

Here’s a closer look at how hummingbirds are distributed around the world, as well as a few factors that can make one country a better fit for more different species than another.

World Countries with the Largest Hummingbird Populations

The following are some of the countries with the highest concentrations of hummingbirds worldwide as of 2023.

Ecuador

Thanks to its sunny South American climate and abundance of native flora options, Ecuador is currently the country with the most overall hummingbirds. As a continent, South America is home to almost 300 different hummingbird species, and around 130 of them live in Ecuador.

Colombia

Colombia also has a truly incredible number of native hummingbird species to its credit with around 165 different examples. Many of the hummingbirds of Colombia occupy smaller areas and unique habitats.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is another beautiful tropical location with plenty of hummingbird species to see and appreciate – around 50 different species. In fact, the country’s hummingbird preserves are major tourist attractions with people traveling from all over the world to see them.

Mexico

The sunny climate and beautiful natural ecosystems in Mexico make it yet another wonderful home for multiple hummingbird species – around 57 different examples. Mexico is also known for hosting both native and migratory hummingbirds through the seasons.

Other countries known for their ideal hummingbird habitats and diverse species include Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Panama, Nicaragua, and multiple portions of the United States.

Potential Factors Influencing Hummingbird Population

Habitat availability is really among the most crucial factors affecting hummingbird distribution and diversity from one country to the next. However, additional factors can include the following:

Altitude: Different species of hummingbirds actually prefer different altitudes, so a country’s overall altitude and selection of different climates can affect its hummingbird density and diversity.

Migratory Patterns: Many countries – such as Mexico – are ideally located and suited to host migratory hummingbirds at various phases along their yearly journeys. This can help boost diversity and the overall population.

Available Food: Hummingbirds survive on a combination of flower nectar and insects. Countries with more of these food sources available naturally attract more different hummingbirds.