12 Blue Bird That Looks Like a Hummingbird: Explored!

There are several bird species that are often mistaken for hummingbirds due to their small size, iridescent plumage, and hovering flight patterns.

While these birds are not hummingbirds, they share some similarities. Here is a list of 12 bird species that are commonly mistaken for hummingbirds, along with brief descriptions.

1. Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae):

Key Characteristics

• Smallest bird in the world.
• Iridescent green and pinkish plumage.
• Found in Cuba and Isla de la Juventud.
• Hovers like a hummingbird while feeding on nectar.

Range and Habitat

• Range: Cuba and the Isla de la Juventud.
• Habitat: Coastal areas, lowland forests, and gardens.

Interesting Facts

• The Bee Hummingbird is the world’s smallest bird, measuring just 2-2.4 inches (5-6 cm) in length.
• Males have vibrant iridescent plumage with bright pink throat feathers.

The Bee Hummingbird is the smallest bird in the world and is found in Cuba and the Isla de la Juventud. It has iridescent green and pinkish plumage and hovers like a hummingbird while feeding on nectar.

2. Sunbirds (Family Nectariniidae):

Key Characteristics

• Small, colorful birds found in Africa, Asia, and Oceania.
• Long, slender bills adapted for nectar feeding.
• Often hover while feeding on nectar.

Range and Habitat

• Range: Found in Africa, Asia, and Oceania, with various species having different ranges.
• Habitat: Various habitats, including forests, savannas, gardens, and wetlands.

Interesting Facts

• Some sunbird species are known for their remarkable territorial battles and aerial displays during the breeding season.
• Sunbirds are important pollinators in many ecosystems due to their nectar-feeding habits.

Sunbirds are a group of small, colorful birds found in Africa, Asia, and Oceania. They have long, slender bills and feed on nectar, often hovering like hummingbirds.

3. Spine-tailed Swift (Chaetura spinicaudus):

Key Characteristics

• Iridescent greenish-blue plumage.
• Found in South America.
• Known for rapid aerial acrobatics.

Range and Habitat

• Range: South America, including countries like Brazil and Peru.
• Habitat: Forested areas, open woodlands, and urban environments.

Interesting Facts

• These swifts are known for their synchronized aerial displays in large flocks.
• They have a distinctive “spiny” tail, which helps in distinguishing them from hummingbirds.

This swift species found in South America has iridescent greenish-blue plumage and a forked tail. It is often confused with hummingbirds due to its similar appearance and aerial acrobatics.

4. Asian Glossy Starling (Aplonis panayensis):

Key Characteristics

• Iridescent plumage, often with shades of blue and green.
• Found in Southeast Asia.
• Can hover while feeding on nectar or insects.

Range and Habitat

• Range: Southeast Asia, including countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
• Habitat: Forests, woodlands, and urban areas.

Interesting Facts

• These birds are often found in large, noisy flocks, making them a common sight in urban areas.
• Their iridescent plumage can change colors depending on the lighting conditions.

Asian Glossy Starlings are found in Southeast Asia. They have iridescent plumage, often with shades of blue and green, and they can hover while feeding on nectar or insects.

5. Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum cruentatum):

Key Characteristics

• Small bird found in South and Southeast Asia.
• Striking iridescent plumage.
• Feeds on nectar and hovers around flowers.

Range and Habitat

• Range: Found in South and Southeast Asia, including India, Thailand, and Indonesia.
• Habitat: Forests, gardens, and wooded habitats.

Interesting Facts

• Males have a striking scarlet patch on their back, making them easily recognizable.
• They are known to feed on over 100 species of plants, aiding in pollination.

Found in South and Southeast Asia, this small bird has striking iridescent plumage and feeds on nectar, resembling a hummingbird in flight and feeding behavior.

6. Purple Sunbird (Cinnyris Asiaticus):

Key Characteristics

• Native to South Asia.
• Iridescent purple-blue plumage.
• Hovers around flowers to feed on nectar.

Range and Habitat

• Range: Native to South Asia, including the Indian subcontinent.
• Habitat: Gardens, forests, and open woodlands.

Interesting Facts

• Male Purple Sunbirds have brilliant iridescent plumage that can appear black or purple depending on the angle of light.
• They build distinctive hanging nests made of grass and cobwebs.

Native to South Asia, the Purple Sunbird is known for its iridescent purple-blue plumage. It hovers around flowers to feed on nectar.

7. Fork-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus Adsimilis):

Key Characteristics

• Glossy black plumage with a forked tail.
• Native to Africa.
• Agile flyers, darting around in flight.

Range and Habitat

• Range: Native to Africa, with a wide distribution across the continent.
• Habitat: Various habitats, including forests, savannas, and urban areas.

Interesting Facts

• These birds are excellent mimics and can imitate the calls of other bird species and even predators to deter them.
• They are known for their daring behavior, often chasing away much larger birds.

These birds are native to Africa and have glossy black plumage with a distinct forked tail. They are known for their agile flying and are sometimes mistaken for hummingbirds when they dart around.

8. Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus):

Key Characteristics

• Vibrant plumage with shades of green, blue, and orange.
• Native to Australia.
• Often seen in flight while hunting insects.

Range and Habitat

• Range: Native to Australia and nearby regions.
• Habitat: Open woodlands, grasslands, and wetlands.

Interesting Facts

• Rainbow Bee-eaters are known for their acrobatic flights, catching and consuming bees and other flying insects.
• They nest in burrows they dig into sandy banks.

Native to Australia, Rainbow Bee-eaters have vibrant plumage with shades of green, blue, and orange. They are often seen in flight while hunting insects, resembling hummingbirds.

9. Sunbeam (Aglaeactis):

Key Characteristics

• Found in South America.
• Iridescent plumage.
• High-altitude feeding habits.

Range and Habitat

• Range: South America, particularly in the Andes mountains.
• Habitat: High-altitude habitats, including montane forests and shrublands.

Interesting Facts

• Sunbeams are adapted to high-altitude living, often seen feeding on the nectar of high-altitude flowers.
• Their iridescent plumage can change color depending on the viewing angle.

Sunbeams are a genus of hummingbird-like birds found in South America. They have iridescent plumage and are known for their high-altitude feeding habits.

10. Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza):

Key Characteristics

• Native to Central and South America.
• Bright green plumage.
• Feed on nectar and may hover near flowers.

Range and Habitat

• Range: Central and South America, including countries like Panama, Colombia, and Venezuela.
• Habitat: Tropical and subtropical forests.

Interesting Facts

• Male Green Honeycreepers are bright green with a contrasting black mask.
• They play an important role in seed dispersal as they feed on various fruits.

Native to Central and South America, Green Honeycreepers have bright green plumage and are known for their love of nectar. They often hover near flowers like hummingbirds.

11. Lorikeets (Family Psittaculidae):

Key Characteristics

• Small parrots found in Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific.
• Colorful plumage.
• Feed on nectar and often hover.

Range and Habitat

• Range: Found in Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands, with various species having different ranges.
• Habitat: Forests, woodlands, and gardens.

Interesting Facts

• Lorikeets are known for their specialized brush-tipped tongues, which allow them to extract nectar from flowers.
• They are highly social birds and often seen in noisy flocks.

Lorikeets are small parrots found in Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. They have colorful plumage and feed on nectar, often hovering like hummingbirds.

Are the Blue Birds That Look Like Hummingbirds the Same as the Small Birds That Look Like Hummingbirds?

The blue birds that look like hummingbirds are indeed the same as the small birds that look like hummingbirds. These tiny avian creatures possess similar physical features, such as long beaks and the ability to hover in mid-air with rapid wing movements. The resemblance between them is striking and often leads to confusion among observers.

12. Fairy-wrens (Family Maluridae):

Key Characteristics

• Small passerine birds found in Australia.
• Vibrant plumage.
• While they don’t hover like hummingbirds, their small size and colorful plumage can be eye-catching.

Range and Habitat

• Range: Native to Australia.
• Habitat: Various habitats, including shrublands, grasslands, and woodlands.

Interesting Facts

• Many species of fairy-wrens exhibit striking sexual dimorphism, with males displaying bright plumage during the breeding season.
• They are known for their complex social systems, including cooperative breeding.

Fairy-wrens are small, passerine birds found in Australia. While they don’t hover like hummingbirds, their vibrant plumage and small size can lead to confusion.

Conclusion

In concluding our exploration, we’ve ventured beyond the enchanting realm of hummingbirds to unveil a diverse world of avian wonders.

These birds, often mistaken for hummingbirds, offer their own captivating stories, from their vibrant plumage to their agile flight and vital ecological roles.

As we celebrate the rich tapestry of the avian world, we’re reminded that every bird, whether a tiny hummingbird or one of its charming lookalikes, contributes to the beauty and biodiversity of our natural world.

We hope this journey has deepened your appreciation for the incredible variety of life that soars through our skies.