Hummingbirds are a beloved sight for many people. Their tiny size, bright colors, and fascinating behavior make them a joy to watch. For those living on or visiting Long Island, a common question arises: do hummingbirds live here?
Quick answer
Yes, there are hummingbirds found on Long Island! The most common species is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
What types of hummingbirds can be found on Long Island?
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only species of hummingbird that breeds on Long Island. This is the most widely distributed and common hummingbird in Eastern North America. The adult male Ruby-throat has a brilliant red throat patch, a white breast, and an iridescent green back. The female lacks the red throat and is more muted in coloration.
On very rare occasions, other vagrant hummingbird species may pass through Long Island during migration. These include the Rufous Hummingbird, Allen’s Hummingbird, Calliope Hummingbird, and Broad-tailed Hummingbird. However, sightings of these species are few and far between.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is a summer resident on Long Island, typically arriving in April and departing in September or October to migrate south. Numbers swell during spring and fall migration as birds pass through on their way to/from breeding grounds further north or wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America.
Rufous Hummingbird
The Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is a rare and irregular migrant on Long Island, mainly during fall migration in August and September as birds migrate south from breeding grounds in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.
Allen’s Hummingbird
Allen’s Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin) is a very rare vagrant, with only a handful of records for Long Island. Most sightings are between October and March, likely representing birds migrating east after the fall migration instead of south.
Calliope Hummingbird
The Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) is another very rare vagrant. There are fewer than 10 records for Long Island. Fall and winter sightings represent birds migrating east and wintering far out of their normal range.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
The Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) has been reported only a couple times on Long Island despite breeding not terribly far away in the Rocky Mountains. Fall migration sightings indicate lost birds making their way east instead of south.
When can hummingbirds be seen on Long Island?
Hummingbirds can be seen on Long Island from April through October, with the highest numbers present during spring and fall migration:
- Spring migration: April – May
- Breeding season: May – July
- Fall migration: August – October
During the breeding season, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds nest throughout Long Island and raise their young here. The migrants pass through both in spring and fall as they travel to and from their breeding and wintering grounds elsewhere.
Rare sightings of vagrants like Rufous and Calliope’s Hummingbirds typically occur in the fall migration period of August through October or winter months of November through March.
Where can I see hummingbirds on Long Island?
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds can be found anywhere on Long Island where there are flowers to feed on and trees or shrubs for nesting. Here are some of the best places to look:
Backyard feeders
One of the easiest ways to attract hummingbirds in Long Island is to put up feeders in your backyard. Fill them with a 1:4 ratio of white table sugar dissolved in water. Change the nectar every 2-3 days to prevent spoilage. Red feeders or feeders with red parts seem to be particularly attractive to hummingbirds.
Parks and gardens
Any park or botanical garden with abundant flowers can be a hotspot for foraging hummingbirds. Some specific places to try include:
- Heckscher Park
- Planting Fields Arboretum
- Muttontown Preserve
- Nassau County Museum of Art
Natural areas
Preserves, wildlife refuges, and other natural areas with native wildflowers and gardens are prime locations. Some top sites include:
- Connetquot River State Park Preserve
- Caumsett State Historic Park
- Target Rock National Wildlife Refuge
- Baiting Hollow Scout Camp
What flowers attract hummingbirds on Long Island?
Hummingbirds rely on nectar as their main food source. They are attracted to tubular, brightly colored flowers that provide abundant nectar. Some of the best options for Long Island include:
| Flowers | Bloom Time | Color |
|---|---|---|
| Bee balm | Summer | Red |
| Cardinal flower | Summer | Red |
| Columbine | Spring | Red, yellow |
| Coral honeysuckle | Summer | Orange, red |
| Delphinium | Summer | Blue, purple |
| Foxglove | Summer | Pink, purple |
| Gladiolus | Summer | Pink, yellow, orange |
| Petunia | Summer | Purple, pink |
| Phlox | Spring, summer | Pink, purple, red |
| Salvia | Summer | Red |
| Trumpet vine | Summer | Orange, red |
| Verbena | Summer | Purple, red |
| Weigela | Spring | Pink, red |
Include as many of these bright, tubular flowers in your yard or garden to attract hummingbirds to feed. Also make sure to have flowering plants that bloom from early spring through fall to provide nectar throughout the entire time hummingbirds are present.
How can I attract more hummingbirds?
Here are some tips to make your yard or garden as inviting as possible for hummingbirds:
Provide food
- Fill feeders with sugar-water mixture (1 part sugar to 4 parts water).
- Refresh feeders every 2-3 days to prevent spoilage.
- Plant a variety of tubular flowers in different colors that bloom through the season.
Give them places to perch
- Leave dead branches and small shrubs for resting spots.
- Add a water mister attachment to let hummingbirds bathe.
Offer shelter and nesting areas
- Leave mature trees and shrubs for nesting and shelter.
- Avoid pruning and trimming during nesting season.
Discourage predators
- Keep feeders out of reach of cats.
- Install mesh nets or screens around nesting areas.
- Use predator guards to block access to nests.
Don’t use pesticides
- Avoid chemical insecticides which can poison hummingbirds.
- Opt for natural pest control methods instead.
Following these tips will transform your yard into a hummingbird haven so you can enjoy more sightings of these special birds.
How do hummingbirds behave on Long Island?
Hummingbirds exhibit some fascinating behaviors while on Long Island for the breeding and migration seasons:
Feeding
- Consume up to half their body weight in nectar daily.
- Feed in bursts lasting only a few seconds.
- Lick nectar with a long, forked tongue (up to 13 licks per second!)
- Prefer red tubular flowers but will adapt to blooms of other colors.
- Seek out sap wells made by sapsuckers for an extra source of energy.
Breeding
- Males perform aerial courtship displays, diving and swooping to impress females.
- Only the female builds the nest out of plant down, moss and spider webs.
- She incubates the 1-3 eggs and cares for the chicks on her own.
- Some females may raise 2-3 broods in a season before migrating south.
Migration
- Depart Long Island by mid-October to start migration south.
- Fly 500+ miles nonstop over the Gulf of Mexico.
- Can travel up to 25 mph but average only 5 mph during migration.
- Males begin migrating up to two weeks before females.
- Young birds then follow 1-2 weeks after adult females.
Agility
- Beat their wings up to 70 times per second!
- Can fly straight up, down, backward and even upside down.
- Regularly engage in high speed chases with each other.
Observing and learning about these behaviors is part of what makes hummingbird watching such an engaging hobby for many people.
Conclusion
Long Island is a great place to observe hummingbirds, especially the spectacular Ruby-throated Hummingbird. These tiny dynamos brighten up backyards, parks, and gardens from spring through fall as they pass through on migration or stay to nest and breed. Attracting them is as simple as providing nectar-rich flowers and feeders. With a little encouragement, you’ll be rewarded with up close views of hummingbirds displaying their beauty and incredible feats of aerial agility.
