New England is home to several species of hummingbirds that either breed in or migrate through the region. The most common hummingbird species found in New England are the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, the Rufous Hummingbird, the Calliope Hummingbird, the Anna’s Hummingbird, the Allen’s Hummingbird, and the Black-chinned Hummingbird. While Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are the only species that nests and breeds in New England, the other species migrate through or occasionally overwinter in the region.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most widespread and commonly seen hummingbird in New England. This small, green-backed hummingbird has brilliant iridescent red throat feathers (called a gorget) on the males. Females lack the red throat and are pale below with white tips on the outer tail feathers. Ruby-throats have a slender black bill and are 3-4 inches long with a wingspan around 4 inches.
Ruby-throats breed across New England and most of eastern North America. They arrive in New England in April and May to establish breeding territories after migrating north from Central America. Their breeding habitat includes meadows, orchards, backyards, and open wooded areas. Males perform aerial courtship displays to attract females.
Females build a tiny cup-shaped nest out of plant down, spider silk, and lichens on the branch of a deciduous tree or shrub. They lay 2-3 eggs and incubate them for about 2 weeks. Ruby-throat chicks fledge around 3 weeks after hatching.
Ruby-throats feed on the nectar of flowers and also catch insects in flight. Some favorite nectar sources are native wildflowers like bee balm, columbine, jewelweed, and trumpet vine along with garden flowers like petunias, zinnias, and nasturtiums.
Most Ruby-throats migrate back to Central America in September and October. Some individuals overwinter in coastal areas of the southeastern U.S. where they can find food at feeders or winter-blooming flowers.
Rufous Hummingbird
The Rufous Hummingbird is a common spring and fall migrant through New England. This species breeds farther north and west across Canada and Alaska and migrates on a clockwise loop covering thousands of miles each year.
In New England, Rufous Hummingbirds pass through during May for spring migration and August-October during fall migration. Peak sightings occur in mid-May and mid-August. This species is less commonly seen than Ruby-throats but they are regular transient visitors.
Male Rufous Hummingbirds have beautiful coppery-orange plumage on their backs and flanks. Females are greenish with rufous sides. Both have white breast feathers. They are slightly larger than Ruby-throats at 3.5 inches long with a 4 inch wingspan.
During migration, Rufous Hummingbirds stop to rest and refuel on nectar from flowers and feeders. They prefer nectar from tubular red flowers like bee balm, cardinal flower, and trumpet creeper, or feeders with red parts which attract them. Gardens and neighborhoods with suitable flowers or feeders are likely to host passing Rufous Hummingbirds in spring and fall.
Calliope Hummingbird
The tiny Calliope Hummingbird is North America’s smallest breeding hummingbird and the smallest bird species on the continent. It is an uncommon but regular spring and fall migrant in New England, most often seen during late May through mid-June in spring and mid-August through September in fall.
Male Calliopes have colorful iridescent throats – reddish-pink bordered by white. Females and juveniles are whitish below with dark streaks on the sides and greenish upperparts. At just 2.75-3.5 inches long, they are noticeably smaller than other hummers.
During migration, watch for these tiny birds feeding on nectar-rich flowers like bee balm and columbine or visiting special feeders. Since they are subordinate at feeders, Calliopes may wait until dominant species leave before approaching to drink. They prefer higher sugar concentrations in nectar than other hummingbirds.
Calliope Hummingbirds breed in northwest North America and winter in Mexico. They pass through New England on an arduous migration that may take them over 3,500 miles each way. Gardens with an abundance of nectar resources provide important refueling stops for these long-distance migrants.
Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbird is a rare and exciting vagrant species for New England birders to spot, mainly during fall and winter. This western species has strayed to the eastern U.S. more frequently in recent decades. Most records in New England are along the southern coastline.
The male Anna’s Hummingbird has a striking rose-pink head and throat with darker tail feathers. Females are greenish overall with grey underparts. Both sexes have an elongated shaggy crest behind the eyes giving the head a squared-off appearance. At 3.5-4 inches long, they are one of the larger hummingbird species.
Most Anna’s Hummingbirds overwinter in the southwest U.S. and along the Pacific Coast. In late summer and fall, some individuals wander far to the east. When they arrive in New England, these vagrant Anna’s are often drawn to feeders at private homes. They also visit gardens with fall-blooming flowers and may linger throughout the winter if they have access to a feeder providing high-energy food.
Allen’s Hummingbird
Allen’s Hummingbird is another rare western vagrant in New England, primarily observed in fall and early winter. The male has a green back with rufous sides, a purple-red throat, and coppery orange on the flanks. Females are green above with white tips on the tail feathers and buffy below with green flanks. They resemble Rufous but are smaller with a shorter bill and more orange in the plumage.
This species breeds along the Pacific Coast then migrates south to the Mexico for winter. In late summer and fall, individuals occasionally wander far off course to the eastern U.S. Most sightings in New England are from Massachusetts and Rhode Island south along the coast.
The best chance to spot an Allen’s Hummingbird is by keeping a feeder up through fall and early winter, when western hummingbirds are more likely to stray east and take advantage of a reliable supplemental food source.
Black-chinned Hummingbird
The Black-chinned Hummingbird is a rare vagrant in New England, with only a handful of documented sightings. However, it may be overlooked or misidentified as the similar looking Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
Adult males have a black face with a stunning iridescent purple throat patch. Females and juveniles are pale below with faint dusky speckling and indistinct pale throat stripes. The slender bill is slightly decurved. They are slim, small-headed hummingbirds that measure 3.5 inches long.
The Black-chinned Hummingbird breeds across western North America and normally migrates to Mexico for winter. Rare individuals showing up in New England are likely first-year birds that stray off course during their initial fall migration.
In the unlikely event that you spot a Black-chinned Hummingbird at a feeder or flowers in your yard sometime between August and November, be sure to document and report your exciting find!
Visiting hummingbirds
While most hummingbirds in New England breed here or pass through during migration, individual hummingbirds sometimes spend prolonged periods or the winter in the region. This seems especially likely in recent years as more people keep feeders up through fall and winter, providing a consistent food source for wandering and vagrant hummingbirds.
Any western species – like Anna’s, Rufous, or Allen’s – that arrives in New England has the potential to linger if it can find enough food. Some intrepid Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are also overwintering in the region instead of migrating south.
To attract overwintering hummingbirds:
– Keep feeders clean, fresh, and well-maintained through fall and winter. Use a nectar mix that won’t freeze, or bring feeders indoors on cold nights.
– Plant fall and winter blooming flowers and shrubs like camellias, fuchsia, coral honeysuckle, and Mexican bush sage.
– Let hummingbird enthusiasts in your area know if you host a winter hummingbird so others can look for it.
– Do not remove a feeder until any winter hummingbirds leave the area, usually by early April.
Document rare or out-of-season hummingbirds carefully and submit details, photos, or videos to eBird or state bird records committees to contribute to knowledge about hummingbird movements and expand information on their status and distribution.
Attracting hummingbirds to your yard
Here are some tips for making your yard attractive and welcoming to migrating and breeding hummingbirds in New England:
– Plant a variety of native flowers that provide nectar at different bloom times from spring through fall. Good choices are bee balm, cardinal flower, columbine, trumpet creeper, salvia, impatiens, petunias, and nasturtiums.
– Include flowering trees and shrubs like lilacs, azaleas, butterfly bush, and weigela.
– Install hummingbird feeders with a 4:1 ratio of sugar to water. Place near gardens, porches, or windows so you can observe visiting birds.
– Use red parts on feeders as visual cues to attract hummingbirds. Hang multiple feeders to accommodate territorial males.
– Keep feeders clean and change the nectar every few days, more often in hot weather. Rinse with hot water only, no soap.
– Avoid using pesticides which can be harmful to hummingbirds. Let some areas grow naturally with native plants.
– Limit the use of tropical plants like hibiscus which may attract hummingbirds to linger too long during migration. The goal is to provide food during travels, not permanent residency.
– Consider providing a mister, shallow bath, or fountain for hummingbirds to drink and bathe. Use a dripper or mist nozzles to prevent drowning.
– Hummingbirds may overwinter in New England if they have a consistent source of high calorie nectar or feeders. To encourage wintering birds, keep feeders up through early winter.
With a little landscaping for nectar sources, proper feeders, and careful maintenance, you can attract hummingbirds to visit your yard as they pass through New England on migrations or settle here to nest and breed each summer. Watching these energetic, iridescent birds is a magical experience for many gardeners and bird enthusiasts.
Common hummingbird species profile
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
| Length | 2 3⁄4 – 3 3⁄4 in (7 – 9.5 cm) |
| Wingspan | 3 1⁄2 – 4 1⁄4 in (8.5 – 11 cm) |
| Weight | 0.1 – 0.2 oz (2.3 – 5.5 g) |
| Breeding (Summer) Range | Eastern and central North America |
| Wintering (Nonbreeding) Range | Florida, Mexico, Caribbean islands |
| Diet | Nectar, pollen, tree sap, insects |
Rufous Hummingbird
| Length | 2 3⁄4 – 3 1⁄2 in (7 – 9 cm) |
| Wingspan | 4 – 4 1⁄4 in (10 – 11 cm) |
| Weight | 0.1 – 0.2 oz (3 – 6 g) |
| Breeding (Summer) Range | Western North America from Alaska to California |
| Wintering (Nonbreeding) Range | Mexico and Gulf Coast |
| Diet | Flower nectar, pollen, sap, insects |
Calliope Hummingbird
| Length | 2 3⁄4 – 3 in (7 – 7.5 cm) |
| Wingspan | 4 1⁄4 in (11 cm) |
| Weight | 0.1 oz (2.5 – 3.4 g) |
| Breeding (Summer) Range | Western North America from British Columbia to Montana |
| Wintering (Nonbreeding) Range | Mexico |
| Diet | Flower nectar, pollen, small insects |
Anna’s Hummingbird
| Length | 3 1⁄2 – 4 in (9 – 10 cm) |
| Wingspan | 4 1⁄2 in (12 cm) |
| Weight | 0.11 – 0.2 oz (3.4 – 5.8 g) |
| Breeding (Summer) Range | Southwestern coasts from California to Washington |
| Wintering (Nonbreeding) Range | Western and southwestern U.S, Mexico |
| Diet | Flower nectar, tree sap, spiders and insects |
Conclusion
New England hosts an amazing diversity of hummingbird species throughout the year. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are the most widespread and familiar visitors, breeding across the region and gracing our gardens each summer. But at least 5 other species also pass through during spring and fall migrations, stopping to refuel on their incredible journeys. And rarer western species sometimes stray to New England in fall or winter when their migrations go off course.
By landscaping to provide nectar sources from flowers, trees, and shrubs, and maintaining clean feeders, you can attract these tiny gems to visit your yard. Watching a hummingbird hover daintily to sip nectar or perch delicately on a branch is a special experience. Learning to identify New England’s species will let you appreciate the range of these energetic migrants that brighten our summers and spice up migration seasons.
