White-eared Hummingbird Similar Species Comparison

Main SpeciesWhite-eared Hummingbird

Male

A medium-sized hummingbird with a dark head, prominent white stripe extending downward from the back of the eye, greenish upperparts, and a medium-length, slightly curved bill. Male has a bright red bill with a black tip and a head that often appears blackish depending on the lighting.

Female

Female has a white “ear stripe” on a dark face, a brownish cap, whitish underparts with green spots, and a darker bill with limited red.

Male

A medium-sized hummingbird with a dark head and a bold white stripe extending downward behind the eye. Male has a bright red bill with a black tip and a head that often appears blackish.

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Male

In good light, male’s forehead and chin are a brilliant purple and the throat is an iridescent green. Lower underparts are whitish with heavy green scaling.

Female

In all plumages, the bold white “ear stripe” contrasts with a dark head.

Male

In the right light, the area around a male’s red bill turns a spectacular violet and the throat lights up in iridescent green.

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Immature male

Immature male is similar to female (note brownish crown), but also shows some adult male traits (red base to bill and some iridescent feathers on throat).

Male

Upperparts are coppery green with some cinnamon edging near the rump.

Male

Feeds mainly on nectar; also eats some insects.

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Male

Seen from below, the white “ear stripe” is less obvious, but note this male’s dark purplish forehead and chin, green throat, whitish underparts with heavy green speckling, and red bill with a black tip and broad base.

Male

Common in mountain pine-oak, oak, and pine-evergreen forests from northern Mexico to northern Nicaragua.

Male

An uncommon but regular visitor to southeastern Arizona, where it often is seen at hummingbird feeders.

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Male

Feeds mainly on nectar and also eats some small insects.

Similar SpeciesBroad-billed Hummingbird

Female

Female Broad-billed Hummingbird has a paler dark patch through the eye; a duller white, less conspicuous “ear stripe;” a greener crown; and a longer bill than female White-eared Hummingbird.

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