The black-chinned hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) has a metallic green back, a purple throat and a white collar, if male. Females are similar to males, but have a white throat. Allen's hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin) males have a metallic bronze-green back and head and coppery-red throat, and are slightly smaller than females. The buff-bellied hummingbird (Amazilia yucatanensis) often build the nest in low bushes. Males and females are similar in color, showing metallic green feathers.
The ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is the most common species in the United States, including Alabama. They measure about 3.5 inches in length and can beat their wings at a rate of 40 to 80 times per second. They can reach speeds up to 63 miles per hour. Feathers are emerald green on the back and iridescent ruby on the throat. The metallic orange rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) has the longest migration route among North American hummingbirds.
The calliope hummingbirds (Stellula calliope) are often found near streams or lakes. They are predominately metallic green and have the habit of reusing their old nest from one year to the next. The broad-tailed male hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) makes a sound similar to a cricket when flying. Anna's hummingbird (Calypte anna) is a permanent resident of the United States. Males feature metallic green backs and dark pink to red heads.
The blue-throated hummingbird (Lampornis clemenciae) is the largest found in the United States, with males having an average weight of 8.4 g. Blue-throated males feature a green back, dark gray breast and bright blue throat and tail, while females are often green and grayish. The magnificent hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens) is the second largest species in the country, with males weighing 7.7 g on average. Green violet-ear hummingbirds (Colibri thalassinus) are metallic green with violet to blue spots on the sides of their heads.