Hummingbirds are some of the smallest and most energetic birds found in North America. Their tiny size, jewel-toned colors, and fast-beating wings make them a delight to watch as they hover gracefully from flower to flower in gardens and woodlands. Though most hummingbird species migrate south for the winter, some do make western Pennsylvania their breeding grounds each summer.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is the most common and widespread hummingbird species found in western Pennsylvania. As their name suggests, adult male ruby-throats have a brilliant ruby red throat, while females lack this colored throat patch. Both males and females have metallic green upperparts and white undersides. These tiny birds measure only 3-4 inches in length and weigh a mere 2-6 grams. Despite their diminutive size, ruby-throats make one of the longest migration trips of any North American bird, traveling between Central America and breeding grounds as far north as Canada each year. Most ruby-throats arrive in Pennsylvania in early May and breed over the summer before migrating south again in August and September.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Nesting
During the breeding season, male ruby-throats display territorial behavior, using aerial flights and dives to chase other males from their preferred nesting areas. Females build nests out of plant down, spider webs, and lichen glued together with saliva. They typically place nests on downward hanging branches, well-hidden among the canopy. Each nest is only about 2 inches wide and 1 inch deep – barely big enough to accommodate the female and her tiny eggs. Female ruby-throats lay 2 pea-sized white eggs and incubate them for 10-14 days. The hatchlings are born helpless, with closed eyes and no feathers. Both parents feed the chicks with regurgitated insects and nectar for about 3 weeks until they fledge from the nest.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Behavior
Ruby-throated hummingbirds beat their wings up to 53 times per second, allowing them to hover in midair while drinking nectar from flowers. Their long, slender beaks and tongues are specially adapted to retrieve nectar from deep within blooms. Preferred flower species include bee balm, cardinal flower, trumpet creeper, columbine, and coral honeysuckle. Ruby-throats also eat small insects such as fruit flies, spiders, aphids, and gnats to obtain essential proteins. The birds perch frequently to conserve their energy between bouts of feeding. Males are highly territorial and use feeding areas as display sites to attract potential mates.
Rufous Hummingbird
The rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is a less common summer resident in western Pennsylvania. Males are unmistakable with their vivid orange coloring on the back, flanks, and throat. Females and juveniles are greener overall with small orange markings on the throat and base of the tail. Rufous hummingbirds measure 3-3.5 inches long and weigh just 2-5 grams. They breed primarily out west in the Pacific Northwest and northern Rocky Mountains. While some birds remain year-round in the southernmost parts of their breeding range, most rufous hummingbirds migrate an incredible distance to spend winters along the Gulf Coast states or in Mexico.
Rufous Hummingbird Migration
Rufous hummingbirds pass through western Pennsylvania during their spring and fall migrations between May and June and again in August and September. Some adult males may remain in the state to breed over summer, though nesting attempts are rare. Immature birds are more likely to linger in the region without breeding until mid-summer before continuing their northward migration. Exceptionally hardy for their size, rufous hummingbirds have been spotted as far north as Alaska during the summer breeding season and may log up to 5,000 miles during their full migratory journey to and from Mexico.
Distinguishing Rufous from Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
The most obvious difference between ruby-throated and rufous hummingbirds is the male rufous’ vivid reddish-orange coloring compared to the ruby-throat’s namesake red throat. Rufous hummingbirds also have slightly longer, more slender beaks than ruby-throats. In flight, rufous hummingbirds have a characteristic whinnying call described as “szweep.” Ruby-throats lack an identifying call and are generally silent outside of breeding interactions. Since ruby-throats are much more abundant, seeing an orange and green hummingbird in western Pennsylvania likely means you’ve spotted the more rare rufous species.
Calliope Hummingbird
The calliope hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) is the smallest breeding hummingbird in the United States and Canada. Females and juveniles are green above with white undersides decorated with tiny dark speckles. Adult males are even more colorful than rufous hummingbirds, with a vivid magenta throat that stands out against their white chest. Iridescent streaks of magenta, orange, and purple also accent the males’ green feathers. Calliope hummingbirds measure just 3-3.5 inches in length and weigh only 2-3 grams on average.
Calliope Hummingbird Range and Habitat
Unlike ruby-throats and rufous hummingbirds, calliopes do not normally range as far east as Pennsylvania. Their main breeding grounds extend from British Columbia south along the Rocky Mountains to southern California. Calliopes prefer mountain meadows, pine forests, and stream banks, though they sometimes wander east during fall migration. When they do turn up in eastern states, calliope hummingbirds are most often observed in late summer and early autumn between July and September.
Possible Reasons for Vagrancy
Seeing a tiny calliope hummingbird in western Pennsylvania would be a rare treat for birders in the region. Several factors could explain vagrancy outside their normal range. Young birds just embarking on their first migration may overshoot their target destinations. Calliopes could also get blown astray by storms or high winds during migration. Some researchers hypothesize that a small but increasing number of calliope hummingbirds are pioneering new migration routes that bring them east. Western birds adapting to climate change may also be expanding their ranges further outside historical boundaries.
Other Hummingbird Species
While ruby-throated, rufous, and calliope hummingbirds account for most sightings, several other vagrant hummingbird species have turned up sporadically in western Pennsylvania. Here are some other species birders should watch out for:
Anna’s Hummingbird
Native to the west coast, Anna’s hummingbirds (Calypte anna) are increasingly spotted in eastern states during fall and winter months. Males have iridescent rose-pink throats and crowns, while females have gray-green plumage with pale orange marks on their throats.
Black-chinned Hummingbird
A western cousin to the ruby-throated hummingbird, black-chinned hummingbirds (Archilochus alexandri) also show a purple throat patch in males and green plumage in females. They are uncommon but regular vagrants in the east.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Medium-sized broad-tailed hummingbirds (Selasphorus platycercus) breed across the Rocky Mountains and have wandered as far east as Pennsylvania on rare occasions. Males have an iridescent reddish-pink throat patch.
Allen’s Hummingbird
Petite Allen’s hummingbirds (Selasphorus sasin) measure under 3 inches long. Their range is limited to coastal California and southern Oregon, but a few vagrants have reached the eastern U.S. over the years.
Attracting Hummingbirds in Western Pennsylvania
Here are some tips to attract magnificent hummingbirds to your yard in western Pennsylvania:
- Plant a variety of native nectar flowers like bee balm, trumpet vine, and columbine.
- Use hummingbird feeders filled with a 1:4 mixture of sugar and water. Change the nectar every few days.
- Choose feeders with red or yellow accents since hummingbirds are drawn to these colors.
- Situate feeders in visible, open areas away from predators. Near trees or shrubs works well.
- Provide a water mister or fountain for birds to bathe in.
- Avoid pesticides, which can be toxic to hummingbirds.
- Consider supplemental planting of nectar flowers in fall to support migrating birds.
With the right habitat and a little luck, you may be rewarded with a visit from one of these energetic, shimmering jewels of the bird world.
Conclusion
Western Pennsylvania hosts breeding populations of the widespread ruby-throated hummingbird each summer. Less common species like rufous and calliope hummingbirds also pass through the region during spring and fall migrations. Adding nectar plants and feeders can help attract these tiny flying gems to gardens and parks. Observing hummingbirds up close as they hover and feed is a delight for Pennsylvania birdwatchers and nature lovers.
