New York State is home to several species of hummingbirds. Hummingbirds are small, fast-flying birds that have the ability to hover in mid-air by rapidly flapping their wings 12-80 times per second. Their name comes from the humming sound created by their beating wings. Hummingbirds are known for their vibrant plumage and long slender bills that are perfect for reaching nectar inside flowers.
Common Hummingbird Species in New York
There are four main species of hummingbirds that breed in New York State:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Rufous Hummingbird
- Calliope Hummingbird
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird
In addition, several other species may be spotted as rare vagrants, especially during migration periods:
- Anna’s Hummingbird
- Allen’s Hummingbird
- Costa’s Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is the most common and widely distributed hummingbird species found in New York. It is the only breeding hummingbird in eastern North America. The ruby-throat gets its name from the vivid metallic ruby-red throat patch on the males. The females lack this patch and are pale brownish-green on the upperparts and white underneath.
Ruby-throats arrive in New York in early May to breed. They prefer open areas near gardens, meadows, and forest edges where flower nectar is plentiful. Males perform elaborate courtship displays to attract females. Nests are tiny cups of plant down and spider webs built on thin branches around deciduous and mixed woodlands. The female lays 2-3 pea-sized white eggs and incubates them for 9-14 days. The chicks fledge in 18-22 days.
Ruby-throats migrate south in late summer and early fall to wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America. Some westward migrating birds may stopover in New York in late August and September.
Rufous Hummingbird
The rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is a small hummingbird with rusty reddish-brown plumage on the back and sides, and an iridescent coppery-red throat in the males. The females have greenish upperparts and white underparts with rust colored flanks. Their tails are reddish-brown with black tips.
Rufous hummingbirds breed farther north than any other species, from Alaska and Canada south to the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountains. They are rare spring and fall migrants in New York, most likely to be seen in May and August-September. Rufous hummingbirds do not breed in New York but there have been a small number of summer sightings of wandering individuals.
Calliope Hummingbird
The Calliope hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) is the smallest breeding bird found only in western North America. They have bright iridescent throats – the males are magenta and the females are speckled – with streaks along the side in both sexes. Their backs are green and their bellies white. Their tails are short and slightly forked.
Like the rufous, the Calliope is a vagrant in New York. They are unlikely but regular spring migrants in tiny numbers, usually in May. There are fewer than 10 records for this species each year in New York.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
The broad-tailed hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) is aptly named for its wide, rounded tail. The male has a bright pink throat, a black chin, green sides, and a white breast. Females are less colorful with a pale throat and white spots on the sides. Their backs are bronze-green.
This hummingbird’s core breeding range is in the mountains of the western US. In New York, broad-tailed hummingbirds are rare migrants similar in timing and frequency to the rufous and Calliope. There are roughly 10-20 sightings of this species per year, usually between May-June and August-September during migration.
Rare and Vagrant Hummingbird Species
In addition to the main species that pass through or wander to New York annually, several other western hummingbird species have been spotted rarely over the years:
Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s hummingbird (Calypte anna) has a dark rose-pink throat and crown, with emerald green back and flanks. The underside is grayish with a rose colored spotting. The male has an iridescent crimson forehead patch and gorget feathers. This large hummingbird species is a year-round resident along the Pacific coast. They are occasional winter vagrants in New York, typically showing up between October and April.
Allen’s Hummingbird
Allen’s hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin) is very similar in appearance to the rufous hummingbird. The male’s throat is iridescent orange-red, the back is bright green, and the rump and tail feathers are rufous. Females are greener overall with rusty rufous edges on the tail feathers. Like other western Selasphorus hummingbirds, Allen’s is a rare vagrant in New York, primarily in spring and fall migration periods.
Costa’s Hummingbird
Costa’s hummingbird (Calypte costae) is a desert species found in the southwestern US and Mexico. The male has a violet crown and throat with a dark purple forehead. Females have lighter violet markings on a pale gray body. Costa’s hummingbird is a casual visitor from the west that has turned up in New York on a few very rare occasions.
Best Places to See Hummingbirds in New York
Here are some top sites in New York State to spot migrating and breeding hummingbirds:
- Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in the Finger Lakes region – Ruby-throated and rufous hummingbirds stopover here during migration. Extensive wildflower meadows provide nectar.
- Rockefeller State Park Preserve near New York City – Carefully tended flower gardens attract breeding ruby-throats and migrating rufous, broad-tailed, and Calliope hummingbirds.
- Jones Beach State Park on Long Island – Coastal gardens and wildflowers attract migrating and summering ruby-throated hummingbirds.
- Central Park in New York City – Wooded areas and flowering gardens host breeding ruby-throats. Rare western vagrants are sometimes spotted in migration.
- Buffalo Botanical Gardens – A hotspot for observing breeding ruby-throats among extensive flower plantings. Rufous and Calliope hummingbirds have also been reported here.
- Letchworth State Park – Along the Genesee River gorge, ruby-throated hummingbirds nest in the mature forests and migrate through the open meadows.
- Allegany State Park – In western New York, ruby-throats and vagrants may be seen in the mixed forests and at backyard feeders near the park.
Best Times to See Hummingbirds in New York
Hummingbird activity and abundance changes throughout the seasons in New York:
- Mid-late April – Earliest ruby-throats and rare western vagrants may start to arrive and pass through on migration
- May – Peak spring migration period. All New York hummingbird species move through the state.
- May to July – Ruby-throats are breeding and establishing nesting territories.
- July to August – Young ruby-throats are fledging and preparing to migrate.
- Late August to September – Fall migration peaks. Western species are most likely to appear.
- Mid-October – Last ruby-throats and vagrants pass through on their way south.
To see the most diversity of species, May and late August through September are the best target months. Ruby-throated hummingbirds will be present throughout the summer breeding season.
Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Yard
Here are some tips to make your yard or garden attractive for migrating and breeding hummingbirds in New York:
- Plant native nectar-producing flowers like bee balm, trumpet vine, columbine, impatiens, and cardinal flower.
- Leave brush areas wild with native plants and flowers that hummingbirds favor.
- Add nectar feeders with a diluted sugar-water solution (1 part sugar to 4 parts water). Change nectar weekly.
- Have a water feature like a mister, fountain, or bird bath for drinking and bathing.
- Avoid pesticides, herbicides, and poisons that can kill hummingbirds’s food sources.
- Set up a viewing area with seating where you can quietly watch the feeders and flowers.
- Add plants with small tubular red flowers that attract the most hummingbird attention.
With a welcoming habitat filled with flowers and feeders, you stand a great chance of seeing hummingbirds visit your property during the seasons they are in New York.
Threats and Conservation
Hummingbirds face a range of threats, both in their breeding grounds in North America and their wintering range in Mexico, Central and South America. Here are some of the main conservation issues:
- Habitat loss and degradation – logging, development, and agriculture reduce flowering plants and nesting sites
- Pesticides – chemicals and poisons accumulate in the birds and their food sources
- Climate change – drought, severe weather, and shifting seasons disrupt migration and breeding
- Predators – outdoor cats, snakes, and hawks kill adult hummingbirds and chicks
- Collisions – hummingbirds can collide with buildings, towers, vehicles, and windows
There are several ways we can help protect hummingbird populations:
- Support preservation of wildflower meadows, forests, and riparian habitats
- Plant native species and limit pesticide use in gardens and yards
- Install collison deterrent devices on windows
- Keep cats indoors
- Provide clean nectar sources in feeders
- Participate in citizen science monitoring programs
The major breeding species such as ruby-throated hummingbirds are currently stable and common across their range. Several of the western species have declined in recent decades, likely due to habitat loss. Careful monitoring, research, and conservation action are needed to ensure hummingbirds continue thriving as an essential pollinator and beautiful component of the natural ecosystems they inhabit.
Conclusion
New York State provides important habitat for breeding ruby-throated hummingbirds as well as migration stopover sites for rarer western species. Late spring and fall are the best times to observe the diversity of hummingbirds as they move through the state. Preserving wildflower meadows and gardens with native plants will support healthy hummingbird populations into the future. With some understanding of their biology and behavior, anyone in New York can attract these tiny energetic birds to their yards and enjoy their beauty and fascinating natural history.
