Humming Bird Day in Utah

Utah has some beautiful wildlife and one of the smaller but sometimes more common animals you’ll see in the state is a hummingbird.  

Early in the mornings when you’re just waking up, a speedy flash of color might fly by and then flit around near your flower garden. Or perhaps you have a dedicated hummingbird feeder to draw them into your yard.   

Sept. 2 is National Hummingbird Day, and these colorful creatures have a lot of history to them.  

The National Day Calendar said there are more than 300 species of hummingbirds across the globe, and they have made their way into folklore for several different cultures. In Native American lore hummingbirds are a symbol of love, joy, and beauty. In Japanese culture, they represent dreams and aspirations. 

In Utah there are six different hummingbird species that can be found, according to Bird Watching HQ. 

The first and most aggressive hummingbird you will find in the state is the Rufous Hummingbird. Evidently, this particular type will chase off other birds (even much larger ones) to have the bird feeder all to themselves. 

Next is the Black-chinned Hummingbird. These guys like to hang out in Utah during the summer for mating season and the head to Mexico for winter. 

Third, the Calliope Hummingbird can also be found in Utah. With less than four inches in length this qualifies as the state's smallest bird! 

After that is the Broad-tailed hummingbird which tends to hang out near meadows and woodlands. These little guys prefer higher elevations for breeding.  

Costa’s Hummingbird is a rarer bird in Utah, and you’ll have a harder time spotting these guys if you’re up North. They prefer desert areas. 

Lastly, Anna’s Hummingbird, which is also a rare find. They have purple coloration and can usually be found in the Southwest part of Utah.  

For a detailed list on each type, visit https://birdwatchinghq.com/hummingbirds-in-utah/