Special post by Asher Warkentin.

[Alberta birder Asher Warkentin recently wrote this article and posted it to the Alberta Birds Facebook group. Chris Fisher suggested to him that it would be useful to also post it here since Calgary birders might also find it informative and interesting. I apologize for not getting it posted sooner, but there are still two or three weeks of very active hummingbird migration this year, and it is great information to keep in mind for future years. – Bob Lefebvre]

Alberta is right in the sweet spot for hummingbird diversity in Canada. It is home to three species of regularly breeding hummingbirds (Ruby-throated, Rufous, and Calliope), and numerous other species also have the potential to turn up in the province! Black-chinned and Anna’s Hummingbirds are found annually, especially in the southwest corner of the province, and vagrants including Costa’s Hummingbird, Mexican Violetear, and Broad-billed Hummingbird have also shown up in the past. 

In Alberta, the peak hummingbird numbers and diversity occur during fall migration, which occurs primarily between the last week of July and the first week of September. During this time, the vast majority of hummingbirds are either female or immature, as the males migrate south earlier. Because this paper focuses on the identification of hummingbirds in fall, it does not touch on the identification characteristics of adult males – which are typically quite unmistakable – and rather focuses on the females and immature birds. 

The guide follows the process I go through in my mind when encountering a hummingbird in fall, first figuring out whether it is an Archilochus or Selasphorus species, and then focussing on the specific field marks to come to an identification. I am sure that there are field marks that I do not mention or am not aware of that can be useful for these identifications, so I would love to hear if you know of something that I missed!

A huge thanks to Jeanne Burnham, Chris Fisher, and David Scott for the use of their wonderful hummingbird photos as well as their assistance in reviewing this paper!

Archilochus vs Selasphorus Hummingbirds

The first step I take when I see a hummingbird in Alberta in the fall is to try and figure out if it is an Archilochus species (Ruby-throated or Black-chinned Hummingbird) or a Selasphorus species (Rufous or Calliope Hummingbird). This distinction determines which key features I need to focus on to identify the bird to species. After mid-September however, this distinction becomes less important as many (or most?) hummingbirds in Alberta after mid-September are Anna’s Hummingbirds which have their own set of field marks (Figure 8)!

Archilochus hummingbirds (Ruby-throated and Black-chinned Hummingbirds) often stand out from the other fall hummingbirds in Alberta by having throats that are brighter white and relatively unmarked, although some birds will have slight speckling in the central throat region. Regardless, the white throat typically contrasts with the sides of the face, which are a duskier grey (Figure 1A). Conversely, Selasphorus species in fall tend to have heavier marked throats (Figure 1B).

The flanks of Archilochus hummingbirds are predominantly grey/green (Figure 1A) which separates them from the Selasphorus species (Rufous and Calliope Hummingbirds) which have rufous/buffy flanks (Figure 1B). Note that young Archilochus hummingbirds can have limited buff/peachy colouration in their flanks (Figure 2A and 2B) although still never approaching the amount or intensity of buff that will be shown by a Selasphorus. 

Archilochus hummingbirds lack rufous coloration in their tails, with the base of the tail feathers being greyish rather than rufous. This is in contrast to our Selasphorus species, which tend to show at least some rufous coloring in the base of the tail (Figure 1C). Additionally, the tails of Archilochus hummingbirds when spread have two distinct lobes, giving them a rather forked appearance. Selasphorus species have less distinctly lobed tails, which are more rounded in appearance when spread. However, obtaining good photos – or even views – of a hummingbird’s spread tail is a rather tough challenge!

Figure 1. Key differences between Archilochus and Selasphorus hummingbirds in fall. Archilochus hummingbirds tend to have little to no rufous on the flanks and clean white throats that contrasts with the dusky grey sides of the face (A – Ruby-throated Hummingbird). This differs from Selasphorus hummingbirds, which have extensive rufous in the flanks and more heavily speckled throats (B – Rufous Hummingbird). Selasphorus hummingbirds also tend to show rufous in their tails, while Archilochus hummingbirds do not (C – Ruby-throated and Rufous Hummingbird).

Ruby-throated vs Black-chinned Hummingbird

Archilochus colubris vs Archilochus alexandri

As the default hummingbird across much of eastern North America, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are the expected hummingbird species to be found at feeders in Alberta away from the mountains.

In the extreme southwestern portion of the province, however, Ruby-throated Hummingbird becomes less common – though still semi-regular – and Black-chinned Hummingbird has recently been recognized as a regular rarity, found in small numbers annually. Separating these two species is a challenge but there are a number of characteristics that aid in the identification of Archilochus hummingbirds. A great article that dives deeper into the separation of these species can be found here:

https://hawkowlpublishing.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/hummingbird-id.pdf 

The most reliable difference is the shape of the primaries (the longest feathers in the wings). Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have narrow inner primaries that are curved, or “sickle-shaped” (Figure 2A). Likewise, the outer primaries on a Ruby-throated Hummingbird taper to a relatively narrow tip. Black-chinned Hummingbirds have straight inner primaries that are not “sickle-shaped,” and their outer primaries are broad, blunt, and rounded (Figure 2B).  The primaries of a perched Black-chinned Hummingbird also tend to extend nearly to the tip of the tail, while the primaries of a perched Ruby-throated Hummingbird are considerably shorter (Figure 2).

There are a number of secondary characteristics that can also be used to identify Archilochus hummingbirds, although these are less consistent and tougher to judge, and so should be used cautiously and in combination with other characteristics rather than as the sole ID feature (Figure 4). This includes the bill length, which is typically longer on a Black-chinned Hummingbird than a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and the crown colour, which is generally greener on a Ruby-throated Hummingbird and greyer on a Black-chinned Hummingbird. Feeding behaviour may also be helpful, as Black-chinned Hummingbirds tend to actively pump their tails while feeding, while Ruby-throated Hummingbirds do not. 

Lastly, slight differences in tail shape appear to be diagnostic, although very difficult to observe or photograph. R4 is the longest rectrix (i.e., tail feather) in Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, while R3 is the longest in Black-chinned Hummingbirds (Figure 3).

Figure 2. Wing differences between Ruby-throated and Black-chinned Hummingbirds. The most reliable trait for differentiating Ruby-throated and Black-chinned Hummingbirds in fall is the shape of the primary feathers. On Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, their inner primaries are narrow and curved, appearing almost “sickle-shaped” (A). The outer primaries are less curved, yet still narrow and tapering to a point (A). On Black-chinned Hummingbirds, all the primaries are broader and rounded (B). Additionally, the wing projection on a Ruby-throated Hummingbird tends to fall short of the tip of the tail, while on Black-chinned Hummingbirds, the wings extend nearly to the tip of the tail.  

Figure 3. View of Archilochus hummingbirds with spread tails. Very difficult to see in the field, but subtle differences in tail shape exist between Ruby-throated and Black-chinned Hummingbirds. In Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (A), R4 is the longest, while in Black-chinned Hummingbirds, R3 is the longest (B). This trait, sometimes even visible in perched birds, can give Ruby-throated Hummingbirds a more “fork-tailed” appearance than Black-chinned.

Figure 4. Secondary characteristics can help support the identification of Archilochus hummingbirds, but should not be viewed as diagnostic. These include crown colour, bill length, and the overall contrast in the colour of the bird. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (A and C) tend to have shorter bills, greener crowns, and more starkly contrasting colours overall than Black-chinned Hummingbirds (B and D), which have longer bills, greyer crowns, and are less contrasty. The tail pumping behaviour of Black-chinned Hummingbirds while feeding is also a secondary identification characteristic that can be helpful, but should not be used by itself in the identification of an Archilochus hummingbird. Note: Young Ruby-throated and Black-chinned Hummingbirds can have slight beachy colouring in their flanks (A and B) – adult females do not have this.

Rufous vs Calliope Hummingbird

Selasphorus rufus vs Selasphorus calliope

Rufous Hummingbird is the other (along with Ruby-throated) hummingbird species that can reasonably be expected in the fall throughout a large area of Alberta, but especially so in the western and southern portions of the province. The slightly smaller Calliope is less common, occurring primarily in and near the mountains.

As the name suggests, Rufous Hummingbirds tend to have more rufous colouration than other hummingbirds. In the fall, their flanks are quite obviously rufous, and rufous also shows through the green of their upperparts (back and crown) (Figure 5A and 5C). Calliope Hummingbirds have buffy/peachy flanks, though not as bright or extensive as Rufous Hummingbirds (Figure 5B and 5D).

Tail length is a very useful and reliable way to distinguish between Rufous and Calliope Hummingbirds. Calliope Hummingbirds have a very short tail, such that that when perched, their wingtips extend beyond the tip of the tail (Figure 5B). Rufous Hummingbirds have a longer tail, and their wings always fall short of the tail tip when perched (Figure 5A).

A good view of the spread tail (tough to achieve) will reveal extensive rufous bases to all the tail feathers in Rufous Hummingbirds (Figure 6A), while Calliope Hummingbirds have minimal rufous colouration in their tails (Figure 6B), limited to the bases of the outer tail feathers, if present at all. (Archilochus hummingbirds have no rufous in their tails.)

While both Rufous and Calliope Hummingbirds have markedly more heavily speckled throats than Archilochus species, the throat pattern differs among these species as well. Calliope Hummingbirds tend to have very fine markings on their throats that are evenly distributed (Figure 7D). The throat speckling on Rufous Hummingbirds varies with age and sex, such that the throats of birds in fall vary from being largely white and unmarked to being very densely marked (Figure 7A-7C). Despite this variability, the sides of the throat tend be more heavily marked than the rest of the throat, while Calliope Hummingbirds have an even distribution to their throat speckling.

Lastly, Calliope Hummingbirds have an obvious white spot behind their eye and an even smaller white spot in front of their eye (Figure 5B and 5D). While present in other species, these spots are more obvious in Calliope. Additionally, Calliope often has a small white “comma” wrapping around the base of the bill. 

Figure 5. Identification of Selasphorus hummingbirds. Rufous Hummingbirds tend to have much more extensive and vibrant rufous coloration to their flanks (A and C), while Calliope Hummingbirds have flanks that are more peachy or buffy coloured (B and D). The throat patterns also differ, with Rufous Hummingbirds tending to have more heavily marked throats, especially on the edges, while Calliope Hummingbirds have fine speckling that is evenly distributed across the throat (see Figure 7 for variability in throat pattern). Calliope Hummingbirds have shorter tails than Rufous Hummingbirds, resulting in their wings extending past the tip of the tail (B), whereas the wing tips of a Rufous Hummingbird fall short of the tail (A). Lastly, Calliope Hummingbirds have a noticeable white spot behind the eye, as well as a smaller white spot in front of the eye, and a white “comma” wrapping around the base of the bill (5B).

Figure 6. View of Selasphorus hummingbirds with spread tails. Rufous Hummingbirds (A) have extensive rufous in all of their tail feathers, while in Calliope Hummingbirds (B), any buffy colouring will be limited to the bases of the outer tail feathers. 

Figure 7. Variability in throat pattern of Selasphorus hummingbirds. The degree of specking on the throats of Rufous Hummingbirds varies dramatically with age and sex. A-C show this variation, from a largely white throat with minimal speckling, to a central throat patch, to the entire throat being heavily marked. Note that in each of these birds, the edge of the throat below the eye is much more heavily marked than the rest of the throat (apart from the central throat patch in B). Calliope Hummingbirds have very fine speckling that is evenly distributed across the throat (D).

Anna’s Hummingbird

Calypte anna

Anna’s Hummingbird has greatly increased on the radar of Alberta birders in the past decade, and a handful of them now show up annually at feeders in the province each fall, especially in the southwest. They are a hardier hummingbird than our more expected species, often remaining at feeders into mid-October. Any late-season (after mid-September) hummingbird in Alberta, is more than likely to be an Anna’s Hummingbird. They have even been known to attempt to overwinter.

See Figure 8 for identification tips for Anna’s Hummingbirds.

Figure 8. Anna’s Hummingbirds are slightly larger and chunkier than our other hummingbird species and can appear to be dull and greyish in colour (A). They can readily be separated from Selasphorus hummingbirds by their lack of any rufous or buffy colouration in their flanks and tail (B). Likewise, the face on an Anna’s Hummingbird is greyish and lacks the contrasting white throat and dusky side of face of Archilochus hummingbirds (D). Anna’s Hummingbirds have greenish-grey flanks (C), a relatively short bill (B), and often a central throat patch that appears greyish (A) or bright pink (C) depending on the light. 

Review of hummingbird ID

While identifying hummingbirds in fall can seem challenging and confusing at first, keeping in mind the key characteristics to look for greatly simplifies the process. With any fall hummingbird in Alberta, noting the colour of the flanks, degree of speckling on the throat, and the relative length of the wings and tail is a great starting point to come to an ID!

The following is step-by-step process for identifying the five hummingbird species described in this paper in fall. While greatly simplified and omitting many of the more subtle details described earlier in the paper, hopefully this process is useful as a starting point from which you can continue to further develop your hummingbird ID skills!

–

Step 1:

White throat, bright green back/wings, grayish or green flanks (go to Step 2)

OR

Speckled throat, rufous or buffy flanks (go to Step 4)

–

Step 2:

Slender, high contrast face and body, throat white with dusky sides (go to Step 3)

OR

Chunky, dull colour, central throat patch, typically September or later* 

(Anna’s Hummingbird)

–

Step 3:

Primaries narrow and pointed, widespread in Alberta 

(Ruby-throated Hummingbird)

OR

Primaries broad and rounded, limited to SW Alberta, pumps tail frequently 

(Black-chinned Hummingbird)

–

Step 4:

Rufous flanks, throat speckling concentrated under eye, wings shorter than tail 

(Rufous Hummingbird)

OR

Peachy/buff flanks, even throat speckling, wings longer than tail 

(Calliope Hummingbird)

* While Anna’s Hummingbirds can begin showing up in August, they become the most expected hummingbird in Alberta from September onwards.