Hummingbird pictures are one way to catch a glimpse of these beautiful flying jewels.

There are more than 300 species of hummingbirds and they are found only in the Western Hemisphere. The majority of hummingbird species are found in the tropical forests of South and Central America. There are 17 species of hummingbirds that are known to breed in the US. The greatest number of hummingbird species in the US can be found along the U.S.- Mexico border from Arizona to Texas. At least 13 species can be found in Arizona.

If you live east of the Mississippi River, you are likely to only see the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only hummingbird to visit New Hampshire. They normally arrive in May, a sure sign that winter is over and that summer is just around the corner. The migration journey of the Ruby-throated hummingbird is truly amazing. They travel as many as 2,000 miles between Canada and Panama. The trip includes a non-stop, 500-mile flight over the Gulf of Mexico (see map)

Click here for more information on the Ruby-throated hummingbirds.

Other hummingbirds that can be found in North America are:

• Allen's Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin): Range: Southern California to Southwest Oregon
• Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna): Range: West coast from Arizona to British Columbia
• Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri): Range: West Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, parts of Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California
• Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus): Range: West Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, parts of Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California
• Calliope Hummingbird (Stellula calliope): Range: Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and western Montana
• Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus): Range: Pacific Northwest,
  northern Rockies up to Alaska (photo)

You can attract hummingbirds using specialized hummingbird feeders and artificial hummingbird nectar. You can also create a hummingbird garden designed specifically to attract hummingbirds. You do not need a lot of space to create a hummingbird habitat. In fact, you can attract hummers using hanging or deck style planters. Watching hummers feed from hummingbird feeders is nice, but watching them feed from flowers seems more natural.

Click here for more information on hummingbird flowers.

I hope you enjoy these hummingbird pictures.