North Carolina is home to a variety of hummingbird species that either migrate through the state or stay to breed during the summer months. The main hummingbird species found in North Carolina include the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Allen’s Hummingbird, Calliope Hummingbird, and occasional rare vagrants.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is the most common and widespread hummingbird species seen in North Carolina. It is the only breeding hummingbird in eastern North Carolina and along the coastal plain. Here are some key facts about Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in North Carolina:
- Breeding Range: Found statewide, but most abundant in the central and eastern parts of North Carolina
- Migration: Most abundant from April-October, though some may overwinter in coastal areas
- Nesting: Females build tiny cup nests out of plant down, spider webs, and lichens in trees and shrubs
- Plants Attracted To: Nectar from tubular flowers including bee balm, trumpet creeper, cardinal flower, and nectar feeders
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird gets its name from the vivid ruby-red throat patch on the males. Females lack this patch and are dull green on the back and white underneath. Ruby-throats make one of the longest migration routes of any North American bird, traveling between Central America and as far north as Canada each year.
Rufous Hummingbird
The Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is a common migrant and winter visitor to western North Carolina. Some key facts include:
- Migration: Pass through western NC during spring and fall migrations between Mexico and Pacific Northwest breeding grounds
- Peak Sightings: April-May and August-September
- Preferred Habitat: Meadows, forests, backyards
- Plants Attracted To: Flower nectar and feeders
The Rufous Hummingbird is known for its bright orange-rufous colored feathers on the back and sides. Adult males may show some iridescent orange-red throat feathers. Females are greenish on the back with a bold spot of iridescent orange on the throat.
Allen’s Hummingbird
Allen’s Hummingbirds (Selasphorus sasin) are rare winter visitors and vagrants in the coastal areas of North Carolina, particularly around Cape Hatteras. They breed in California and migrate south to Mexico and southern Arizona and New Mexico for the winter. Key identification points include:
- Size: One of the smallest hummingbirds at 3.5 inches long
- Iridescent orange-red throat and green-backed males
- Females and juveniles are gray-green on the back
- Very short, straight bill
- Prefer nectar and insects from feeders and flowers
Allen’s Hummingbirds passing through North Carolina are typically seen between October and March on their way to and from their wintering grounds. They are attracted to yards and gardens with plenty of bright, tubular flowers and hummingbird feeders.
Calliope Hummingbird
The Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) is the smallest breeding bird in North America and an extremely rare vagrant in western North Carolina. A few key facts:
- Length: 2.75-3.5 inches long
- Males have iridescent magenta throat feathers
- Females lack iridescent throat and are green on the back
- Breed in western mountains and winter in Mexico
- Prefer nectar from tiny flowers and feeders
There are only a handful of records of Calliope Hummingbirds in North Carolina, mostly around the Highlands and Cashiers area in late fall and winter. They can be identified by their very small size and short bill. Males have a unique magenta iridescent throat.
Rare and Vagrant Hummingbird Species
In addition to the expected species above, several other hummingbird species have been spotted rarely as vagrants in North Carolina. These include:
- Anna’s Hummingbird
- Broad-billed Hummingbird
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird
- Costa’s Hummingbird
- Black-chinned Hummingbird
These western and southwestern species likely get blown off course during migration and wander east. They may briefly stop by feeders or gardens before continuing their migration. Some notable hummingbirds that have turned up in NC include Calliope, Costa’s, Broad-tailed, and Rufous.
When and Where to See Hummingbirds in North Carolina
The best places and times to spot hummingbirds in North Carolina are:
- Western mountains – Rufous and Calliope Hummingbirds pass through during spring and fall migration. Good sites include Highlands, Cashiers, and Roan Mountain.
- Coastal areas – Wintering Allen’s and Rufous Hummingbirds frequent the Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout areas from October to March.
- Central Piedmont – Breeding Ruby-throats are found across central NC from April-September.
- Eastern Coastal Plain – Highest diversity and concentrations of breeding Ruby-throated Hummingbirds from April-October.
- Backyards statewide – Nectar feeders attract migrants and breeders to yards and gardens statewide.
The peak viewing periods are April-May during spring migration and August-October during fall migration. However, hummingbirds can be seen in North Carolina year round, especially along the coast and in areas with feeders.
Best Flowers for Attracting Hummingbirds
Here are some of the best flower varieties and plants for attracting hummingbirds to your North Carolina garden or yard:
| Flowers | Colors |
|---|---|
| Bee balm | Red |
| Butterfly bush | Purple |
| Cardinal flower | Red |
| Trumpet creeper | Orange, red |
| Petunia | Variety |
| Salvia | Red, blue, purple |
| Nasturtium | Yellow, orange, red |
| Gladiolus | Variety |
| Fuchsia | Pink, purple |
| Agastache | Orange, yellow |
| Lantana | Yellow, orange, red |
| Verbena | Red, purple, pink |
| Weigela | Pink, red |
| Zinnia | Variety |
Choosing tubular flowers in colors like red, orange, pink, and purple will help attract the most hummingbird activity to your garden. Place flowers in clusters rather than singly.
Top Hummingbird Feeders and Nectar for North Carolina
Here are some of the top-rated hummingbird feeders and nectar types preferred by North Carolina’s hummingbirds:
| Feeder Style | Nectar Tips |
|---|---|
| Saucer or bowl feeders | 25% white table sugar solution |
| Tube/bottle feeders | Avoid red dye |
| Glass tube feeders | Change nectar every 2-3 days |
| Multiple feeding port feeders | Store unused nectar in fridge |
| Feeders with perches | Use boiled/cooled water |
| Feeders with ant guards | No honey or artificial sweetener |
Choose feeders that are easy to clean and fill. Pump style bottled feeders allow nectar to be stored longer. Use a 1 part sugar 4 parts water ratio for nectar. Avoid food coloring, but red feeding ports may help attract the birds. Place feeders in shady spots to prevent nectar from spoiling in the heat.
Shelter and Landscaping to Attract Hummingbirds
Here are some key tips for providing shelter and designing your yard to create a hummingbird-friendly habitat:
- Plant native trees, shrubs, and flowers that hummingbirds are adapted to
- Leave dead trees and branches for perching and nesting sites
- Avoid pesticides that may impact food sources
- Include a water feature like a mister, sprinkler, or bird bath
- Select a mixture of flowering plants that bloom spring through fall
- Include tubular and red flowers that provide ample nectar
- Plant in clusters to attract hummingbirds to garden beds
- Include fruiting trees and shrubs that provide insects for food
- Select sites protected from wind to make feeding and nesting easier
By planting a variety of native flowers, trees, and shrubs, you can create an inviting habitat that provides food, shelter, and nesting sites to attract hummingbirds to your yard. Providing both flowers and feeders will help sustain migrating and breeding hummingbirds throughout the seasons.
Interesting Hummingbird Behaviors and Adaptations
Here are some fascinating facts about hummingbird behaviors and physical adaptations:
- Hummingbirds can hover in mid-air by rapidly flapping wings up to 70 times per second
- They have excellent memory and regularly return to favorite feeders and flowers
- Their long, specialized tongues allow them to reach nectar at the base of long, tubular flowers
- To conserve energy overnight, they go into a hibernation-like state called torpor
- They are very territorial creatures and will chase intruders away from food sources
- Males perform elaborate aerial courtship displays to impress females
- Their wings allow them to fly forward, backward, upside down, and sideways
- Hummingbirds migrate huge distances, with some species traveling over 2,000 miles
- They have amazing hearing and can adjust each ear independently to pinpoint sounds
- Due to fast metabolism, they must eat the equivalent of their body weight daily
Hummingbirds are remarkable, highly specialized birds with numerous adaptations allowing them to hover and obtain nectar. Their incredible flying capabilities, sharp memories, and territorial behaviors make them fascinating to observe in North Carolina gardens and backyards.
Threats and Conservation
Some key threats facing hummingbirds in North Carolina include:
- Habitat loss from development, logging, and agriculture
- Climate change impacting flowering schedules and migration patterns
- Pesticides reducing insect food supplies
- Outdoor cats preying on nestlings and adult hummingbirds
- Collision hazards like buildings and cell towers during migration
Ways to help protect hummingbirds include:
- Planting native flowers and providing nectar sources in yards
- Avoiding pesticide use which reduces insect populations
- Installing screens on chimneys and keeping cats indoors
- Participating in citizen science surveys such as the Hummingbird Migration Study
- Supporting habitat conservation and acquisition efforts
Feeders, drinking stations, and native plantings can help supplement wild food supplies. Reducing threats to birds when they are nesting and migrating is key. Tracking and reporting hummingbird sightings also assists scientists in monitoring populations.
Conclusion
North Carolina’s gardens, parks, and woodlands provide essential habitat for breeding, migrating, and wintering hummingbirds. Attracting these energetic, shimmering birds is possible by landscaping with their preferred native plants and providing clean feeders with fresh nectar. With appropriate food, water, nesting sites, and shelter, we can support North Carolina’s diverse hummingbirds and observe their fascinating behaviors and adaptations.
