What kind of hummingbirds come to Pennsylvania?

Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating birds found in nature. Their small size, bright plumage, and remarkable flying abilities make them a joy to observe. Pennsylvania is home to several species of hummingbirds that either live in or migrate through the state each year. In this article, we’ll explore the different types of hummingbirds found in Pennsylvania and learn more about their behaviors, feeding habits, migration patterns, and ideal habitats.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

The ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is the most common and widely distributed hummingbird species found in Pennsylvania. They are bright green on their backs and white underneath, with the adult males having a distinctive ruby-red throat patch. Ruby-throats are small, only measuring 2.8-3.5 inches long with a wingspan of 3.1-4.3 inches and weighing 2-6 grams. This tiny bird has a very fast heartbeat of over 500 beats per minute while at rest!

Ruby-throats are migratory, spending winters in southern Mexico and Central America before making an impressive nonstop 500 mile journey across the Gulf of Mexico to return to their breeding grounds in eastern North America. In Pennsylvania, they arrive sometime in early May and remain until September/October when they migrate south again for the winter. During summer, they are found statewide.

Male ruby-throats are extremely territorial and will aggressively defend feeding areas from intruders, even attacking much larger birds. Their diet consists of nectar from tubular flowers and small insects like gnats, fruit flies, and spiders. To feed, they use their long, specially adapted tongues to lap up nectar at a rate of 10-15 times per second!

Ruby-throated hummingbirds prefer open woods, meadows, and gardens where they can easily flit through vegetation to feed on flowers. They are also attracted to artificial feeders, particularly red colored ones, containing sugar water (1 part sugar to 4 parts water). Female ruby-throats build tiny cup-shaped nests out of plant down, spider silk, and lichens glued together with saliva. They lay 2 pea-sized white eggs and may raise 2-3 broods per summer.

Rufous Hummingbird

The rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is a rare vagrant species in Pennsylvania. They breed in the Pacific Northwest and western Canada during summer before migrating southeast to winter along the Gulf Coast. In recent years, more rufous hummingbirds have been observed migrating east and showing up in eastern states. They are identified by their distinctive rusty colored plumage on their backs, sides, and flanks.

In Pennsylvania, rufous hummingbirds are most frequently reported in late fall and winter when lost individuals may stray into the state during migration. The few that show up are often drawn to backyard feeders. Their presence is brief as they attempt to return west in spring. Documented sightings have occurred sporadically across the state.

Calliope Hummingbird

Like the rufous, the calliope hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) is a rare winter vagrant in Pennsylvania, barely entering the eastern limits of its migratory range. Calliopes are the smallest breeding bird in North America at just 3-3.5 inches long. Males have colorful plumage with bright magenta throats and crowns. Females and juveniles are more difficult to distinguish with their primarily gray-green coloration.

In the wild, calliopes breed in the mountains of western North America. They winter in Mexico and have been expanding their range eastward in recent decades. In Pennsylvania, fewer than 10 records of calliope hummingbirds have been confirmed, mostly between October and December in western parts of the state. Due to their small size, calliopes are best identified if photographed extensively.

When and Where to See Hummingbirds in Pennsylvania

The best chances to observe hummingbirds in Pennsylvania are during spring and summer as they return to breed across the state. Here is an overview of the seasonal occurrence of hummingbird species documented in Pennsylvania:

• Ruby-throated hummingbirds – these are found statewide from early May to September/October.
• Rufous hummingbirds – rare migrants, primarily reported November to January with a few records in August/September.
• Calliope hummingbirds – rare winter vagrant from October to December.

In western Pennsylvania, rufous and calliope hummingbirds are more likely to appear in winter due to their proximity to documented eastward migration routes. But they can turn up anywhere in the state.

Ruby-throats occur statewide in a diversity of habitats where suitable flowers are found. They are most often observed in gardens, meadows, woodland clearings, parks, and backyards where feeders are present. Rufous and calliope hummingbirds also are drawn to artificial feeders during their irregular winter appearances.

Flowers and Feeding

An abundance of flowering plants providing nectar is key to attracting hummingbirds over the summer. Here are some top flower species in Pennsylvania that hummingbirds rely on for food:

Planting a mix of these hummingbird-friendly flowers will provide an ongoing food source as different species come into bloom over the growing season. Other popular garden flowers visited by Pennsylvania’s hummingbirds include petunias, morning glories, honeysuckles, and coral bells.

Supplementing the natural nectar supply with artificial feeders helps attract and sustain hummingbird populations, especially ruby-throats who have come to rely on these backyard food sources along their migration routes. Fill feeders with the simple 1:4 ratio of sugar to water. Avoid adding red food coloring, as this provides no benefit and may be unhealthy for the birds when consumed over long periods.

Hummingbirds also consume small soft-bodied insects for essential amino acids and nutrients not found in nectar. They may be seen hawking tiny insects around flowers and feeders throughout the day.

Other Feeding Behaviors

Hummingbirds have some interesting feeding adaptations and behaviors to efficiently fuel their high metabolisms:

• They extend their slender tongues fully to sip nectar.
• Their tongues have forked tips to lap nectar faster.
• They prefer flowers with a tubular shape to access the nectar.
• They lick nectar up to 13 times per second while feeding!
• They trap insects on their tongue by changing its shape.
• They can remember rewarding flower locations from year to year.

Understanding these unique adaptations helps birders provide the best flowers, feeders, and habitats for attracting hummingbirds.

Migration

The migratory habits of hummingbirds found in Pennsylvania are nothing short of incredible. Here are some fascinating facts about their epic seasonal journeys:

• Ruby-throats make a 500 mile nonstop Gulf crossing each way every year.
• They can fly 25-30 miles per hour during migration.
• Many rufous hummingbirds migrate over 4000 miles to Alaska and back.
• Their rapid wing-beats carry them up to 50 wing-beats per second.
• They migrate alone, not in flocks like other birds.
• They gain 25-40% in body mass before migration to burn as fuel.
• They migrate on instinct, not learned behavior like some birds.

Banding programs have provided much data on hummingbird migration. Experts estimate ruby-throats make the entire round trip migration from Panama up to Pennsylvania and back 4-5 times over their lifespan! Their ability to navigate and survive these marathon seasonal journeys is nothing short of amazing.

Navagation

So how exactly do these tiny birds find their way on migrations spanning thousands of miles? Researchers believe hummingbirds navigate using several strategies:

• They orient themselves using the earth’s magnetic fields.
• They use the position of the sun in daytime.
• They use landmarks for mental mapping.
• They may have an internal circadian clock and compass.

There is still much to learn, but hummingbirds have incredible navigation abilities engrained in their genetics and behaviors. Providing artificial feeders along their migration pathways helps provide fuel for these epic seasonal journeys.

Ideal Habitat

Hummingbirds thrive in habitats that meet three key criteria:

1. Abundant tubular flowers that provide nectar.
2. Presence of small soft-bodied insects.
3. Open vegetation for foraging.

With these needs in mind, some ideal types of hummingbird habitat in Pennsylvania include:

• Forest edges – Openings with flowering trees/shrubs and insect availability.
• Riparian zones – Rivers and streamsides with wildflowers and bugs.
• Meadows/fields – Milkweed, clover, cardinal flower provide food.
• Gardens – Floral variety, feeders, and insects draw hummingbirds in.
• Parklands – Landscaping and trees suited to hummingbird needs.

While hummingbirds are found across much of Pennsylvania, focusing habitat improvement efforts in these types of areas will maximize their populations. Expansive forests with dense canopies lack the flowers, food, and structural diversity hummingbirds rely on.

Backyard Tips

Backyards offer excellent opportunities to create ideal micro-habitat for hummingbirds. Here are some tips:

• Plant a mix of tubular flowers for constant blooms.
• Include shrubs like butterfly bush and azaleas.
• Add feeders in visible areas, change nectar weekly.
• Include small trees like dogwoods that attract insects.
• Avoid pesticides that reduce insect numbers.
• Set up a mister for drinking and bathing.
• Limit use of large fans that could blow small hummingbirds off course.

With a diversity of flowers, feeders, water sources, and bugs, backyards can provide oases for hummingbirds travelling through or nesting in the area.

Threats and Conservation

Major threats facing hummingbird populations include:

• Habitat loss – Agriculture, development destroys wildflower meadows and forests.
• Climate change – Altering of seasonal flowering cycles and migration timing upon which hummingbirds rely.
• Pesticides – Reduces insect food supplies critical for reproduction and migration.
• Outdoor cats – Kill billions of birds in U.S. each year, including hummingbirds.

While Pennsylvania’s hummingbirds remain relatively abundant, threats on their wintering grounds and migration routes may impact populations long-term. Providing suitable habitats free of pesticides, limiting climate change, and reducing free-roaming cats will help conserve hummingbird populations.

Experts recommend these actions people can take to support hummingbirds:

• Plant native wildflowers and flowering shrubs to provide food.
• Avoid use of pesticides whenever possible.
• Install feeders and provide clean nectar, especially during migration.
• Report band recoveries and participate in research.
• Educate others to create hummingbird-friendly habitats.

With a little effort, we can offset habitat pressures and support healthy hummingbird numbers in Pennsylvania and beyond.

Conclusion

Hummingbirds are a joy to behold and Pennsylvania offers opportunities to observe these remarkable birds across the state in summer. The ruby-throated hummingbird graces our gardens and wild areas in the breeding season. And rufous and calliope hummingbirds occasionally delight people with rare winter appearances as they wander far off course during migration.

By landscaping yards and public areas with beautiful flowers these pollinators favor, adding feeders, and improving habitat, we can support hummingbird populations in Pennsylvania. The migration feats and specialized adaptations of hummingbirds continually impress naturalists. With some understanding of their biology and regional movements, anyone can attract these flying jewels and support their conservation.