What hummingbirds are common in New York?

New York State is home to several species of hummingbirds that either breed in the state or pass through during migration. The most common hummingbirds seen in New York include the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, and Ruby-throated x Rufous hybrids. Other less common visitors include the Calliope Hummingbird, Allen’s Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird, and Broad-tailed Hummingbird.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most widespread and commonly observed hummingbird in New York. This species breeds throughout the eastern United States and Canada during the summer months. In New York, Ruby-throats arrive in spring to breed and nest from April through September before migrating south to their wintering grounds in Central America or Mexico. Here are some key facts about Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in New York:

• Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are the only breeding hummingbird species found east of the Mississippi River.
• They are small, measuring just 3-4 inches in length and 2-6 grams in weight.
• Males have a brilliant red throat patch (called a gorget), black mask, and forked tail. Females lack the red patch and have a white throat.
• Ruby-throats feed on flower nectar and small insects. Their long slender bills and tongues are specially adapted to slurping nectar.
• They build tiny cup-shaped nests out of plant down and spider silk on the branches of trees or shrubs.
• The female lays 2 pea-sized white eggs and incubates them for 14-19 days.
• Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are common across New York in a variety of semi-open habitats like gardens, parks, meadows, and woodland edges.
• They are bold and territorial, chasing away intruders from their feeding areas.
• In fall and spring, Ruby-throats can be observed migrating through New York between their breeding and wintering grounds.

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird has a large range and stable population numbers. Backyard birders can attract these feisty pollinators by setting up nectar feeders and planting native flowers.

Rufous Hummingbird

The Rufous Hummingbird is a western species that breeds in the Pacific Northwest and northern Rocky Mountains. In fall and winter, some Rufous Hummingbirds migrate east along the Gulf Coast or through the Great Lakes, reaching as far as the Eastern Seaboard. Rufous Hummingbirds are rare but regular visitors to New York mainly during autumn migration in September and October. Here are some key identification points for Rufous Hummingbirds:

• Males are bright rufous (reddish-orange) all over with some green on the back.
• Females are green on the back and rufous on the sides with a white belly.
• They have a long, straight bill that can appear slightly downturned.
• Adults measure 2.8-3.5 inches in length–smaller than a Ruby-throated.
• Rufous Hummingbirds are feisty and chase other hummingbirds from feeders and flowers.
• They make a distinctive trilling or sharp “chip” call.
• Rufous Hummingbirds prefer nectar from tubular red flowers like bee balm, cardinal flower, and trumpet vine.

The Rufous Hummingbird has experienced significant population declines in recent decades. Birders who observe a Rufous Hummingbird in New York should document and report sightings to help scientists track migration routes. Providing nectar feeders with sugar water can help sustain these long-distance migrants.

Ruby-throated x Rufous Hybrids

In areas where Ruby-throated and Rufous hummingbird breeding ranges overlap, these species sometimes hybridize. The offspring exhibit plumage features of both parents. Ruby-throated x Rufous hybrids are uncommon but regular late summer visitors to New York, especially in western parts of the state near the Great Lakes. Here are identification tips:

• Hybrid males have a mix of red and orange in the throat patch and on the face.
• Hybrid females have speckled or orange-tinted throats.
• Some hybrids appear identical to a Rufous while others look like a Ruby-throat.
• Examine the tail shape and tail color for clues–Rufous have wider, more squared-off tails.
• Listen for vocalizations–hybrids may have a call that blends Rufous and Ruby-throat sounds.

Genetic analysis is required to definitively identify a hybrid. Documenting hybrid hummingbirds helps scientists track interbreeding dynamics between the eastern and western US hummingbird populations.

Other Species

In addition to the hummingbirds described above, several other western species turn up rarely in New York, mainly as fall and spring migrants. These include:

Calliope Hummingbird

The smallest breeding hummingbird in North America. Males have colorful plumage with a purple throat bordered by white. Calliopes pass through New York in small numbers in spring and fall but do not stay to breed.

Allen’s Hummingbird

A small green-backed hummingbird with a male has an orange throat, gray flanks, and rusty tail. Allen’s is a rare vagrant, mainly in fall and winter in New York.

Anna’s Hummingbird

A medium-sized hummingbird with iridescent rose-pink throat and crown. Once considered a stray, Anna’s Hummingbirds now regularly reach New York in winter and early spring but do not breed.

Broad-tailed Hummingbird

A breeding species of the Rocky Mountains west with an iridescent pinkish-red throat patch. Broad-tailed is a casual spring and fall migrant in New York.

These vagrants accentuate the dynamism of hummingbird movement across North America during migration. As climate and habitats change, birders may see shifting patterns in western hummingbird species occurrence in New York in the future.

Best Places to Observe Hummingbirds in New York

Some top locations to spot migrating and breeding hummingbirds in New York include:

• Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in central New York – wetlands and grasslands habitat.
• Chautauqua Institution in western NY – hundreds of feeders attract hummingbirds.
• Rockefeller State Park Preserve near New York City – flower gardens and woodlands.
• Allegany State Park in western New York – mix of forest and open areas.
• East Hampton and Montauk on Long Island – coastal gardens and flowers.
• Constitution Marsh Audubon Center on the Hudson River – riparian habitat.
• Central Park in New York City – urban oasis with hundreds of cultivated plants.

Anywhere with native nectar flowers, sugar water feeders, and some trees or shrubs for nesting can attract hummingbirds during the summer breeding season.

When to See Hummingbirds in New York

Here is a timeline of when various hummingbird species pass through or reside in New York:

As this table shows, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds dominate during summer breeding. The best window to catch rare western strays is August through October during fall migration. Winter and early spring host unusual species like Anna’s Hummingbird before the Ruby-throats return to nest.

Attracting and Feeding Hummingbirds in New York

Here are some tips to create a welcoming habitat for hummingbirds visiting or breeding in New York:

• Set up nectar feeders – Mix 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water. Avoid red dyes. Clean feeders weekly.
• Plant colorful native flowers – Bee balm, trumpet vine, cardinal flower, etc.
• Provide small tubular flowers – Hummingbirds favor this shape when feeding on blooms.
• Include shrubs and trees – Needed for nesting, resting, and protection.
• Position feeders near flowers and shrubs – Gives hummers places to perch and take cover.
• Install a dripping fountain or mist sprayer – Hummingbirds bathe and drink water in flight.
• Eliminate pesticides – Insects are an important food source for hummingbirds.
• Set up a hummingbird camera – Document rare migrants at your feeders.

With a welcoming habitat that provides food, water, and shelter, you stand a great chance of being visited by these energetic little pollinators.

Interesting Hummingbird Behaviors to Watch for in New York

Here are some fascinating hummingbird antics you may observe in New York:

• Hovering and flying backwards – Hummingbirds can precisely hover in place and fly backwards when gathering nectar.
• High-speed chases – Males aggressively chase other males or even large insects intruding on their territory.
• Courting displays – Males fly in loops and dive bombs to impress females.
• Bathing – Hummingbirds splash in water droplets or take a rain shower to bathe.
• Panting – On hot days, hummingbirds pant to dissipate heat since they can’t sweat.
• Torpor – To conserve energy overnight, hummingbirds enter a deep sleep-like state of hypothermia.
• Mimicking insects – Males may buzz their wings against a branch or flower, mimicking an insect to ward off rivals.
• Feisty chipping – Hummingbirds scolding other hummers make an agitated high-pitched chip sound.

Observing these behaviors enrich the experience of watching hummingbirds up-close as they feed and interact. With patience and a watchful eye, you can spot an array of fascinating mannerisms.

Role of Hummingbirds as Pollinators in New York

Here in New York and across their range, hummingbirds act as important pollinators for native plants and cultivated gardens:

• Their long slender beaks and tongues allow them to access nectar from uniquely shaped flowers.
• As hummers move from bloom to bloom accessing nectar, pollen sticks to their heads and beaks.
• When visiting the next flower, hummingbirds transfer that pollen to the stigma of the plant.
• This pollen transfer enables fertilization and reproduction in the plant.
• Some plant species depend heavily on hummingbirds for pollination due to their co-evolved flower morphology.
• Plants pollinated by hummingbirds include wildflowers, shrubs, vines, and native trees like oak, maple and poplar.

By supporting hummingbird populations through careful habitat provisions, we also support the reproduction and biodiversity of cherished plant species.

Threats Facing Hummingbirds in New York

Though some species remain common, hummingbirds also face a variety of threats across New York, including:

• Habitat loss from development – Reduces nesting sites and nectar sources.
• Pesticide use – Can poison hummers and decrease insect prey.
• Outdoor cats – A predatory threat, especially to young hummers.
• Climate change – Shifting flowering schedules and migration timing.
• House window collisions – hummingbirds can fatally strike glass.
• Nectar feeders without cleaning – Harbors dangerous molds and bacteria.
• Invasive plant species – Replace native nectar sources.

With conscious conservation steps, individuals can help offset these threats facing New York’s hummingbirds. Protection of key habitats and reduction of pesticide usage are especially vital long-term.

Fun Facts About Hummingbirds in New York

To wrap up, here are few interesting facts about the hummingbirds that grace New York each year:

• Ruby-throated Hummingbirds winter along the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico after leaving New York.
• Rufous Hummingbirds make the longest migration of any North American hummingbird – 4000 miles one-way.
• Hummingbird nests are tiny – only about 1.5 inches wide and 2 inches high.
• Male Allen’s Hummingbirds perform aerial U-shaped display dives up to 100 feet during courtship.
• Anna’s Hummingbirds are the most winter-hardy species, adapting to snowy conditions along the Pacific Coast.
• Hummingbirds have remarkably fast heart rates – up to 1260 beats per minute while active.
• They have the ability to fly backwards, upside down, and even sideways.
• Hummingbird tongues have forked tips to efficiently lap up nectar.
• New York State designated the Ruby-throated Hummingbird as its official state bird in 1970.

We are fortunate to host these spectacular migrants and summer residents in the Empire State. By better understanding the species visiting, their key habitats, behaviors and threats, we can ensure New York remains a welcoming stopover for hummingbirds now and in the future.

Conclusion

New York’s hummingbird diversity arises from its geographic location at the convergence of southern, eastern and western bird ranges. The ruby-throated hummingbird dominates as the breeding species in New York, while rufous and hybrid hummingbirds pass through in migration. Providing nectar sources, nest sites, and water access can attract these tiny dynamos. Birders should watch for unusual western species, document arrivals and behaviors, and report sightings to contribute to hummingbird conservation. With care and commitment to habitat protection, New York residents and visitors alike can continue to enjoy hummingbird encounters for generations to come.