Amazing Arizona Hummingbirds (and the Best Places to See Them)
Updated: Jan. 24, 2023
August is the best time of year to observe hummingbird species in southeast Arizona. Learn the best hotspots for Arizona hummingbirds.
When I think of seeing lots of hummingbird species in the United States, the first place that comes to mind is southeast Arizona. This area of the country gets more diversity of hummingbirds than anywhere else in the country, and the number of individual birds is quite impressive as well. While on a week-long trip to the area a few years ago, I had 14 hummingbird species! There’s no where else in the U.S. that I could have found that many in just a week. Plenty of Arizona hummingbirds stick around all year. But the best time to visit is during August, when many migrants are moving though the area. This leads to the greatest number of hummingbirds and the most variety!
Hummingbirds in Arizona to Look for
Allen’s hummingbird
Learn how to identify and attract an Allen’s hummingbird.
Anna’s hummingbird
Find out how to identify Anna’s hummingbirds.
Black-chinned hummingbird
Here’s how to identify a black-chinned hummingbird.
Blue-throated mountain gem
See the range of brilliant hummingbird colors.
Broad-billed hummingbird
What makes hummingbird feathers so shimmery?
Broad-tailed hummingbird
Look for broad-tailed hummingbirds in the mountains.
Calliope hummingbird
Did you know—the calliope hummingbird is the smallest bird in the U.S.
Costa’s hummingbird
Don’t miss 50 stunning hummingbird pictures you need to see.
Lucifer hummingbird
Discover the top 10 tube-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds.
Rivoli’s hummingbird
Hummingbird males vs females: here’s how to tell the difference.
Rufous hummingbird
Get to know tough and tiny rufous hummingbirds.
Violet-crowned hummingbird
Look for a violet-crowned hummingbird in the Southwest.
White-eared hummingbird
Best Places to See Arizona Hummingbirds
These are my favorite places to watch hummingbirds in Arizona.
Paton Center for Hummingbirds
The name says it all! This place is dedicated to hummingbirds, and you will never be disappointed with a stop here. The property was recently bought by Tucson Audubon Society when the family that had been feeding the birds for years put the house up for sale. Now, birders and hummingbird lovers will be able to enjoy this property for years to come!
Don’t miss these jaw-dropping facts about hummingbirds.
Santa Rita Lodge
The Santa Rita Lodge attracts many hummingbirds and is very close to other great birding options in Madera Canyon. Psst—do hummingbird sightings have special meaning?
Miller Canyon / Beatty’s Guest Ranch
Beatty’s Guest Ranch is the best place in southeast Arizona to find white-eared hummingbirds. In addition to this species, the diversity at this feeding station is always incredible.
It’s easy to see why the ranch is so popular. After all, it holds the U.S. record for the most hummingbird species spotted in 1 day with 14. And bird enthusiasts insist it’s the best place to consistently find rare hummingbirds.
“You can see 15 different species of hummingbirds at Beatty’s. That’s impressive!” says nature photographer Charles Melton, who lives nearby. “And this is the only place in the U.S. to reliably see the white-eared.”
Charles has been going to Beatty’s to see migrating hummingbirds for more than 10 years. He has taken several thousands of photos and many hours of video on their ranch.
“The location is spectacular,” he says. “It’s a 10-acre apple orchard in the middle of a national forest, surrounded by mountain peaks and cliffs. The hummingbird viewing areas are amazing.”
Check out the ultimate bucket list for hummingbird lovers.
Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary
If you’d like to see a lucifer hummingbird in Arizona, the Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary is the place to be. You can also enjoy many other Arizona hummingbird species and a variety of other birds at all of the feeders here.
Next, meet the world’s largest and smallest hummingbirds.
Originally Published: January 13, 2023
