20 Birds That Look Like Hummingbirds (+ 3 Moths)

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a small, vibrantly colored bird, renowned for being the only species of hummingbird that breeds in eastern North America.

Appearance: The male Ruby-throated Hummingbird is most recognizable by its brilliant red throat or “gorget.” The rest of its upper body is primarily green, while the underparts are a whitish hue. Females lack the radiant red throat, instead featuring a pale, often white, throat and chest. Both genders possess iridescent green feathers on their backs and crowns.

Diet: Ruby-throated Hummingbirds primarily feed on the nectar from red or orange tubular flowers. Their long, specially adapted bills and extendable, tube-like tongues allow them to access the nectar deep within blooms. They consume insects and spiders for protein, catching them mid-air or picking them off plants.

Reproduction: These hummingbirds typically nest in trees or shrubs. The female is responsible for building the nest, which is a compact cup made of plant down and spider silk, camouflaged with lichen. She lays a clutch of 2 tiny, white eggs, which she incubates for about two weeks.

The Eastern Spinebill is a distinctive bird commonly found in the forests and woodlands of southeastern Australia, known for its energetic behavior and nectar-feeding habits.
Appearance: The Eastern Spinebill sports a curved bill, which it uses to access nectar from flowers. Its upper body is mostly grey with white underparts, contrasted with a chestnut patch behind the eye and a rufous band across the chest. Males and females are somewhat similar, although males have more vibrant coloration.
Diet: Primarily, the Eastern Spinebill feeds on nectar from a variety of flowering plants. However, they also consume insects and spiders, especially when feeding their young or during times when nectar is scarce. Reproduction: Eastern Spinebills build cup-shaped nests, often situated in dense shrubs. The female usually lays 2 to 3 eggs, which are incubated for about two weeks.

The Brown Honeyeater is a prevalent bird found across Australia, particularly in its northern and western regions. It is known for its melodious song and its affinity for nectar-rich flowers.

Appearance: The Brown Honeyeater, as its name suggests, is predominantly brown in color. It has a pale eye ring, a yellow patch on the base of the flight feathers, and a slender, curved bill apt for nectar-feeding. Both sexes appear similar, although the male might exhibit a brighter yellow patch.

Diet: Nectar is the primary diet of the Brown Honeyeater, which it gathers from various flowering plants. In addition to nectar, these birds will eat insects and spiders, capturing them mid-air or plucking them from foliage.

Reproduction: Brown Honeyeaters often construct their nests in shrubs or trees, crafting a small, cup-shaped structure. Typically, the female lays 2 to 3 eggs, which are then incubated for a couple of weeks.

The White-cheeked Honeyeater is a striking bird commonly found along the eastern coastline of Australia, recognized for its vivacious call and active foraging behavior.

Appearance: The White-cheeked Honeyeater sports a predominantly black body and head, contrasted with bright white patches on the cheeks. Its eye is encircled by a yellow ring, and it possesses a slender, nectar-adapted bill. Both male and female White-cheeked Honeyeaters exhibit these same striking features.

Diet: The primary source of sustenance for the White-cheeked Honeyeater is nectar from a diverse array of flowering plants. However, to supplement their diet and especially during breeding seasons, they also consume insects and occasionally fruits.

Reproduction: White-cheeked Honeyeaters build their nests in dense shrubbery or low trees. The nest is cup-shaped, often woven with grass and spiderwebs. Typically, the female lays 2 to 3 eggs.

The Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher is a brightly colored, diminutive bird that can be found across parts of South Asia.

Appearance: This kingfisher showcases a vibrant palette of colors with a mix of orange, yellow, pink, blue, and violet. The upper parts of the body and wings display purples and blues, while the underparts are generally rufous-orange. Their small size and vivid coloration make them easily distinguishable from other kingfishers.

Diet: They predominantly feed on insects such as crickets, dragonflies, and beetles. Occasionally, they may also consume small amphibians, fish, and crabs, catching their prey with swift and accurate dives.

Reproduction: The Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher burrows nests into the soft riverbanks or earthy embankments. The tunnel typically ends in a chamber where the female lays 4 to 5 eggs. Both parents participate in incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks once they hatch. The nesting season usually corresponds with the onset of monsoon rains in their respective habitats.

The Olive-backed Sunbird is a petite and vivacious bird predominantly found in Southeast Asia and parts of Australia, renowned for its iridescent plumage and dynamic behavior.

Appearance: Males of this species are particularly vibrant, with a metallic blue throat and chest, contrasting against their olive-green back. Females are more subdued in hue, being mostly olive-brown throughout with a lighter belly. Both genders have a long, downward-curving beak, which is adapted for nectar-feeding.

Diet: Olive-backed Sunbirds mainly sustain themselves on nectar, using their specialized beaks to extract it from flowers. However, they also feed on small insects and spiders, especially during breeding season or when nectar is scarce.

Reproduction: These sunbirds are known for their intricate hanging nests, which they often attach to tree branches or even human structures. The nest, resembling a pouch, is made of plant materials and spider webs.

The Tufted Flycatcher is a small bird known for its agile flight and distinctive tuft, predominantly found in the mountainous regions of Central and South America.

Appearance: This bird has olive-green upperparts with a slight bronze sheen on the crown. Its underparts are pale yellow. The most distinctive feature is the tuft or crest on its head, which gives the bird its name. Bright lemon-yellow underparts contrast with its darker wings and tail.

Diet: As the name suggests, the Tufted Flycatcher primarily feeds on flying insects, which it catches in mid-air using its agile flight maneuvers. It perches and waits, often bobbing its tail, before darting out to snatch its prey.

Reproduction: Tufted Flycatchers build cup-shaped nests on branches, often near streams. The female typically lays 2 eggs, which she incubates for about two weeks.

The Rocky Mountain Clearwing is a unique moth species found predominantly in the Rocky Mountain regions, notable for its transparent wings and hummingbird-like behavior.

Appearance: The Rocky Mountain Clearwing features a stout, furry body similar to most moths. However, what sets it apart is its translucent wings, which lack the typical scales found on other moths. This clearwing appearance combined with its fast flight often leads to it being mistaken for a hummingbird or a large bee at first glance.

Diet: Adult Rocky Mountain Clearwings primarily feed on nectar from various flowers, using their long proboscis to access it. This feeding behavior, coupled with their rapid wing movement, further accentuates their resemblance to hummingbirds. The caterpillars, on the other hand, feed on specific host plants found in their natural habitats.

Reproduction: Female Rocky Mountain Clearwings lay their eggs on or near their preferred host plants. Once the caterpillars emerge, they feed voraciously, eventually pupating in the soil or under leaf litter. After undergoing metamorphosis, the adult moths emerge to continue the cycle.

The Hummingbird Clearwing is a remarkable moth species found mainly in North America, drawing attention due to its striking resemblance to hummingbirds.

Appearance: The Hummingbird Clearwing sports translucent wings, allowing it to be easily distinguished from other moths. Its body is generally olive-green to golden-brown with a furry texture. With its rapid wing movement and hovering behavior, it can easily be mistaken for an actual hummingbird when seen from a distance.

Diet: Adult Hummingbird Clearwings primarily feed on nectar from various flowers, using their long proboscis to access the sweet liquid. Their preference for daytime feeding and their hummingbird-like flight patterns enhance the illusion of them being tiny birds rather than moths. Caterpillars of this species typically feed on the leaves of specific host plants.

Reproduction: Females lay their eggs on the underside of leaves of their host plants. After hatching, the caterpillars feed on these plants until they’re ready to pupate. They then form cocoons in the leaf litter or just below the soil surface. After undergoing metamorphosis, the adult moths emerge, ready to continue the life cycle.

The White-lined Sphinx is an intriguing moth species commonly found throughout North America, recognized for its large size and distinct wing patterns.

Appearance: The White-lined Sphinx is notable for its broad wingspan and unique patterns. Its forewings are typically dark with white streaks and some pink highlights, while its hindwings showcase a vibrant pink or reddish hue in the center, bordered by black. The moth’s body is robust and typically brown or gray with white lines and sometimes pink bands.

Diet: Adult White-lined Sphinx moths predominantly feed on nectar from various flowers, hovering in front of blooms and using their long proboscis to drink. This behavior, combined with their swift flight, often draws comparisons to hummingbirds. The caterpillars, on the other hand, have a varied diet, feeding on the leaves of several different plants, including grapevines and primroses.

Reproduction: Females lay their eggs on the host plants’ leaves. After hatching, the caterpillars consume the foliage of these plants until they reach maturity. Once ready, they burrow into the ground to pupate. Following the metamorphic process, adult moths emerge to mate and start the life cycle anew.