Bird GuideHummingbirdsBuff-bellied Hummingbird
Buff-bellied Hummingbird
Amazilia yucatanensis

At a Glance

This is the only hummingbird to nest regularly in southernmost Texas. It is our most common representative of the widespread genus Amazilia, a group of hummingbirds found all over the American tropics.
Category
Hummingbirds
IUCN Status
Least Concern
Habitat
Forests and Woodlands, Shrublands, Savannas, and Thickets, Urban and Suburban Habitats
Region
Florida, Southeast, Texas
Behavior
Flitter, Hovering, Rapid Wingbeats
Population
610.000

Range & Identification

Migration & Range Maps

In southern Texas, more common in summer, but some remain through the winter. A few move north along the coast in fall, to winter on upper Texas coast or in Louisiana.

Description

4 1/2" (11 cm). A stocky hummer, mostly green (brighter on throat), with chestnut tail, red bill with black tip, pale buff belly. In Arizona see Berylline Hummingbird.
Size
About the size of a Sparrow
Color
Brown, Green, Orange, Tan
Wing Shape
Narrow, Rounded, Short
Tail Shape
Multi-pointed, Notched, Rounded, Square-tipped

Songs and Calls

Shrill squeaks.
Call Pattern
Flat
Call Type
Chirp/Chip

Habitat

Woods, thickets. In Texas found mostly in semi-open habitats, such as woodland edges or clearings, areas of brush and scattered trees. Sometimes around citrus groves. A regular resident of suburban neighborhoods, especially those with trees and extensive gardens.

Behavior

Eggs

2. White. Incubation is by female only, probably 2 weeks or longer.

Young

Female feeds the young, sticking her bill deep into their mouths and regurgitating tiny insects, perhaps mixed with nectar. May raise two broods per year.

Feeding Behavior

At flowers, usually feeds while hovering, extending its bill and long tongue deep into the center of the flower. At feeders, may either hover or perch. To catch small insects, may fly out and grab them in midair, or hover to pluck them from foliage.

Diet

Mostly nectar and insects. Takes nectar from flowers, and will feed on tiny insects as well. Often visits red tubular flowers such as turk's-cap and red salvia. Will also feed on sugar-water mixtures in hummingbird feeders.

Nesting

Breeding behavior is not well known. In Texas, the nesting season extends at least from April to August. Nest site is usually in large shrub or small deciduous tree, such as hackberry or Texas ebony, usually only a few feet above the ground. Nest (built by female) is a cup of plant fibers, stems, shreds of bark, spider webs, lined with plant down. The outside is camouflaged with bits of lichen, flower petals.

Climate Vulnerability

Conservation Status

Numbers probably declined in the past with loss of habitat, but current population seems to be stable.

Climate Map

约炮视频鈥檚 scientists have used 140 million bird observations and sophisticated climate models to project how climate change will affect the range of the Buff-bellied Hummingbird. Learn even more in our 约炮视频鈥檚 Survival By Degrees project.

Climate Threats Facing the Buff-bellied Hummingbird

Choose a temperature scenario below to see which threats will affect this species as warming increases. The same climate change-driven threats that put birds at risk will affect other wildlife and people, too.