Have You Ever Heard of a Trochilinae Hummingbirds

Taxonomic Classification

Trochilinae is a subfamily of the hummingbird family Trochilidae (order Apodiformes). Trochilidae is the sole family for all hummingbirds, divided into subfamilies: Trochilinae (typical hummingbirds), Phaethornithinae (hermits), and sometimes others like Florisuginae or Lesbiinae depending on the classification system. Trochilinae represents the most diverse and widespread group within this family.

Overview of Trochilinae Hummingbirds

Trochilinae is not a single species of hummingbird but rather a subfamily within the broader hummingbird family (Trochilidae). It encompasses the "typical" or "non-hermit" hummingbirds, which make up the majority of hummingbird diversity—around 294 species out of the family's total of over 360. These birds are native exclusively to the Americas, ranging from Alaska in the north to Tierra del Fuego in the south. They are known for their small size (typically 3–5 inches long and weighing 2–20 grams), rapid wingbeats (up to 80 times per second in some species), hovering ability, and often brilliant, iridescent plumage in males, which can shimmer in metallic greens, blues, reds, and purples. Females are usually duller for camouflage.

Trochilinae species are highly acrobatic, capable of flying backward, upside down, or vertically, and they play a key role as pollinators in ecosystems.

Their diet is primarily nectar from flowers (about 90%), supplemented by small insects and spiders for protein. They have long, slender bills and extendable, forked tongues adapted for sipping nectar while hovering. Many species are territorial, with males defending feeding areas aggressively.

 

Nesting Habits

Trochilinae females handle all nesting duties alone, as males do not participate after mating. Nests are small, cup-shaped structures about 1.5 inches in diameter, built on tree branches, shrubs, or sometimes leaves. Materials include spider webs for binding, lichens, moss, plant fibers, and occasionally feathers or wool for lining. They typically lay two tiny, pea-sized white eggs—the smallest of any bird—and incubate them for 2–3 weeks. Chicks are fed regurgitated nectar and insects by the mother and fledge (leave the nest) after about 3 weeks. Nesting locations vary by species and habitat: temperate species might nest in forests or meadows, while tropical ones use rainforests or mangroves. Breeding often aligns with peak flower availability, which can be year-round in the tropics or seasonal in temperate areas.

Wintering Habits

Wintering (or non-breeding) behavior depends on the species, as Trochilinae includes both migratory and resident birds. Many tropical species in South and Central America remain in their habitats year-round, where food is consistently available. Migratory ones, like those in North America (e.g., Ruby-throated Hummingbird), breed in northern regions during summer and migrate south to winter in Mexico, Central America, or even northern South America. Some travel thousands of miles, crossing the Gulf of Mexico in non-stop flights. High-elevation species in the Andes may descend to lower altitudes in winter to avoid cold. Overall, they seek areas with abundant flowering plants to sustain their high-energy needs.

Unique Behaviors Compared to Other Hummingbirds

Trochilinae differ notably from the other main subfamily, Phaethornithinae (hermits), which are often duller in color and more forest-dwelling. A key unique trait of Trochilinae is their elaborate aerial courtship displays: males perform dramatic dives, shuttles, or U-shaped flights to attract females, often accompanied by sounds from tail feathers or wings. They are also more territorial, defending flower patches solo rather than gathering in leks (group display areas) like hermits. Additionally, Trochilinae males frequently have striking iridescent gorgets (throat patches), crests, or elongated tail feathers that hermits lack. This makes them more visually flashy and adapted to open or edge habitats, where such displays are effective.

Favorite Flowers

Trochilinae, like all hummingbirds, prefer tubular, brightly colored flowers (often red, orange, or pink) that produce abundant nectar with high sugar content. There's no single "favorite" for the entire subfamily, as preferences vary by species and region, but common attractors include:

Bee balm (Monarda spp.)

Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans)

Salvias (sage species)

Fuchsias

Honeysuckles (Lonicera spp.)

Penstemons

Heliconias (in tropics)

These flowers are day-blooming, pendant or horizontal, and clustered for easy access while hovering. In gardens, planting natives like these can draw them in.