Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating birds found in nature. Their tiny size, bright colors, incredible speed and hovering flight make them truly unique. Of the over 300 hummingbird species found worldwide, around 16 regularly breed in the eastern United States. These range from the tiny Ruby-throated Hummingbird up to the impressive Rufous Hummingbird. While hummingbirds are found across North America, the highest diversity occurs along the west coast and southwest. The eastern United States has fewer species, but they still provide plenty of opportunities for birders and nature lovers to enjoy these remarkable creatures. This article will provide an overview of the types of hummingbirds found in the eastern United States, their key identification features, habitat, food sources and migration patterns. With some key information, identification tips and by providing the right habitat, you can attract these flying jewels to your own backyard.
Main Hummingbird Species in the Eastern United States
Here are the key hummingbird species found in the eastern United States:
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most widespread and commonly seen hummingbird in the eastern United States. They breed throughout the East Coast up into Canada and can be found as far west as Texas.
Key Identification Features:
– Green back and white breast
– Adult males have a brilliant red throat (ruby throat)
– Females and juveniles lack the red throat and are harder to distinguish
Black-chinned Hummingbird
The Black-chinned Hummingbird breeds in western states but migrates as far east as Louisiana and Florida for the winter. They are a rare visitor in the east.
Key Identification Features:
– Green back and white underside with green streaks along the side
– Adult males have a thin dark band below a dark, iridescent purple throat patch
Rufous Hummingbird
The Rufous Hummingbird is one of the few hummingbirds that regularly migrates long distances, breeding in northwest North America and wintering in the southwest and southeast United States. They are increasingly expanding their breeding range east.
Key Identification Features:
– Green back and rusty colored underside
– Adult males are especially bright and rusty orange overall with a bright red throat
– Females and juveniles are greener overall with small bright orange patches near the throat and base of the tail
Allen’s Hummingbird
Allen’s Hummingbirds breed along the west coast and are rare migrants in the east, mainly along the Gulf Coast.
Key Identification Features:
– Green back, green undertail coverts and rusty colored throat and breast
– Adult males have an orange throat and bright rusty orange on the face and tail
– Females and juveniles have grey-green underparts with an orange throat and hint of orange at the base of the tail
Calliope Hummingbird
Calliope Hummingbirds are the smallest breeding hummingbird in the United States. They breed in the northwest and migrate south along the Pacific Coast and also east to Louisiana and Florida along the Gulf Coast during winter.
Key Identification Features:
– Very small with a green back, white breast with dark streaks along the side and a reddish purple throat
– Males have colorful streaking on the throat and can show an iridescent purple crown
| Species | Key Identification Features | Breeding Range | Winter Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | – Green back and white breast – Adult males have a brilliant red throat |
Throughout eastern North America | Mexico to Costa Rica |
| Black-chinned Hummingbird | – Green back with white underparts – Adult males have a dark purple throat patch |
Western North America | Southern coastal states |
| Rufous Hummingbird | – Green back and rusty underside – Males are very orange overall with red throats |
Pacific Northwest | Gulf Coast and southeast |
| Allen’s Hummingbird | – Green and orange overall – Males have orange faces and throats |
West Coast | Gulf Coast |
| Calliope Hummingbird | – Very small with green back, white underparts with streaks – Males have colorful streaked throats |
Northwest | Coastal south and southeast |
This table summarizes the key identification features, breeding and wintering grounds of the major hummingbird species found in the eastern United States. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the species most widespread in the east. The other species are primarily western birds that reach the east during their winter migrations.
Key Identification Tips
Identifying hummingbirds takes practice and an eye for subtle differences in size, plumage colors, tail shapes and unique behaviors. Here are some tips for identifying eastern hummingbirds:
– Focus on the throat – The males of each species have differently colored throats that are key to identification.
– Note the tail shape – Broad, rounded or forked tails help distinguish look-alike species. The Allen’s Hummingbird has a rounded tail with white tips while the Rufous has a rufous-colored, forked tail.
– Beak shape offers clues – Short straight beaks indicate a Calliope or Ruby-throated, while longer decurved bills suggest a Black-chinned or Rufous.
– Consider behaviors – Different species have unique flight styles, perching behaviors and feeding maneuvers. Rufous Hummingbirds are notably aggressive.
– Don’t rely on size – Focus more on proportions and plumage than overall size, which can be deceiving. The tiny Calliope can seem as big as a Ruby-throated when feathers are fluffed up.
– Females and juveniles are harder – Lacking distinctive male throats and plumage, immature birds require more subtle ID clues like bill shape, tail patterns and body proportions.
Patience, practice and ideally getting multiple views and photographs will help zero in on the species. Guides, apps andexperienced birders can also help correctly ID tricky hummingbirds.
Habitat Needs
While hummingbirds have unique habitat needs, their key requirements revolve around ample sources of nectar and small insects which make up their main diet. Here are the key elements to provide:
– Abundant tubular flowers – Native wildflowers along with flowering trees, shrubs and vines provide essential food sources. Some top plants include bee balm, cardinal flower, columbine, trumpet creeper, mimosa, azaleas and others with red tubular flowers.
– Feeders – Well-maintained hummingbird feeders provide a supplemental food source, especially during migration. Use a simple 1 part sugar to 4 parts water solution, changed frequently to avoid spoilage. Avoid food coloring.
– Water – Hummingbirds bathe and drink while flying, so misters, sprinklers and drippers provide needed water sources. Shallow pans and waterfall or fountain features work too.
– Perches – Hummingbirds rarely spend much time sitting, but perches allow them to rest near food and water sources. Dead twigs and branches or small metal poles placed near flowers and feeders provide good perching spots.
– Nest sites – Hummingbirds nest in trees and shrubs, often relying on downy plant materials for nest building. Leave some dead branches and dried plant stems standing through winter to provide nest materials.
Migration and Range
One of the most fascinating things about eastern hummingbirds is their incredible migration. Here are some key details about their migration and range:
– Ruby-throats – Breed across Eastern North America in summer. Migrate to Mexico and Central America for winter. A few may overwinter in warm coastal areas and the southern United States.
– Rufous – Breed in the Pacific Northwest and northern Rocky Mountains in summer. Migrate incredible distances to winter along the Gulf Coast and southeastern United States. Their winter range has expanded east in the last few decades.
– Black-chinned – Breed in the western United States in summer. Migrate east along the southern tier of states, mainly wintering in south Texas and south Florida. Rare but increasing in winter along the Gulf Coast.
– Calliope & Allen’s – Breed in the northwestern U.S. and southwestern Canada in summer. Migrate south along the Pacific Coast. Some stray east during winter along the Gulf Coast. Rare in the east.
– Range expanding – Ranges are expanding east for a few species, likely due to feeding opportunities provided by backyard feeders and winter warming trends. This provides birding opportunities for species once rare in the east.
Conclusion
While only the Ruby-throated Hummingbird regularly breeds in the eastern United States, several western species make their way east along the Gulf Coast during winter months. This provides birders with a chance to see up to five hummingbird species, with the Rufous Hummingbird being most common. Providing the right mix of flowers, feeders, water sources and perches can help attract these tiny migrants to your yard. Careful observation along with an eye for subtle plumage differences and behaviors will help distinguish between these superficially similar birds. Once hooked on hummingbirds, many find the challenge of identification as addicting as watching their magical hovering flight.
