Connecticut may not be the first place you think of when Hummingbirds come to mind, but these little bundles of avian awesomeness do make appearances here, and they’re worth the watch!
These dazzling jewels of the bird world with their shiny feathers, incredible flight skills, and migratory tales will leave you in awe.
Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just beginning to discover the world of Hummingbirds, Connecticut has its own unique Hummingbird story to tell.
In this exploration of Hummingbirds in Connecticut, we will embark on a journey to understand the beauty, behavior, and unique adaptations of these feathered jewels. We’ll talk about when they arrive, where they hang out, and how they pull off epic migrations.
So, let’s take a closer look at these pint-sized wonders!
Contents
Everything About Spotting 7 Types Of Hummingbirds In CT
While Connecticut may not boast the year-round Hummingbird presence found in more Southerly climes, these tiny marvels make their grand entrance during the warmer months, gracing gardens, woodlands, and urban backyards alike. Let’s take a deep dive into understanding their presence in the state!
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
Source: @willdoe55
- Scientific Name: Archilochus colubris
- Size: 7.5 to 10 cm (3 to 4 inches)
- Locality: North America
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: March to July
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have an incredible metabolism, which allows them to consume about half their body weight in food each day. They are solitary when it comes to breeding and possess territorial behavior.
Recognition
Male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds flaunt a striking iridescent green plumage on their upperparts and a bright, iridescent ruby-red throat patch. The rest of their underparts are white.
Females lack the brilliant ruby throat of the males and have green upperparts and white underparts. They are slightly larger and plainer in appearance than males. Young birds resemble adult females, with green plumage and no ruby throat.
Habitat
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are the only species of Hummingbird found regularly in Eastern North America. Their range extends from eastern Canada down to the Gulf of Mexico and across parts of Central America. They prefer woodlands, meadows, gardens, and suburban areas.
Arrival
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are a common sight throughout the summer months in Connecticut. Many residents set up Hummingbird feeders to attract these birds to their gardens. They are attracted to nectar-rich flowers. That is why well-tended gardens and Hummingbird feeders are popular places to observe them.
Rufous Hummingbird
Source: @wildlifecitizen
- Scientific Name: Selasphorus rufus
- Size: 7.5 to 9.5 centimeters (3 to 3.75 inches)
- Locality: Western North America
- Status: Near Threatened
- Breeding Season: April to July
Rufous Hummingbirds are able to perform rapid wing beats, which can reach up to 60 to 80 beats per second. They have a pugnacious nature and are often seen aggressively defending their feeding territories against other Hummingbirds and even larger birds.
Recognition
Male Rufous Hummingbirds are easily recognizable by their vibrant reddish-orange plumage on their throat, head, and sides. Their upperparts are greenish-brown, and their tail feathers are reddish-orange with a bronze-green central stripe.
Females have greenish-brown upperparts and a whitish throat and breast with some streaking. Their sides and flanks have rufous or coppery coloring.
Habitat
Rufous Hummingbirds have one of the most extensive breeding ranges of any North American Hummingbird species. They inhabit mountain meadows, coniferous and deciduous forests, and even suburban gardens. They are highly adaptable and can thrive in diverse environments, as long as there are suitable nectar sources and nesting locations available.
Arrival
Rufous Hummingbirds are not native to Connecticut, and sightings of these Hummingbirds in the state are considered rare and unusual. However, there were multiple reports of these birds in Connecticut in the fall of 2018. They were observed in various locations, including Fairfield, Old Lyme, and Old Saybrook.
Calliope Hummingbird
Source: @preierson
- Scientific Name: Selasphorus calliope
- Size: 7.5 to 8.5 cm (3 to 3.4 inches)
- Locality: Western North America
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: April to June
Calliope Hummingbirds are named after the Greek muse Calliope due to the eloquent humming sound they produce during their flight similar to the muse’s poetry. They are the smallest long-distance avian migrants in the world, with some individuals traveling thousands of miles during their migrations.
Recognition
Male Calliope Hummingbirds are characterized by their vibrant iridescent green upper parts and white underparts. Their most distinctive feature is their iridescent gorget, which is a patch of throat feathers that exhibits brilliant, metallic colors. The gorget typically appears magenta or purplish-pink with some streaks of iridescent green.
Females have green upperparts and white underparts, similar to the males. However, they lack the iridescent gorget found in males.
Habitat
Their range extends from southern Alaska and western Canada down to the Western United States, particularly in mountainous and forested regions. They love to stay in coniferous and mixed forests, meadows, and open woodland areas. They also visit gardens and feed on nectar-rich flowers.
Arrival
Sightings of Calliope Hummingbirds in Connecticut are extremely rare. However, there were cases of spotting in Fairfield in the year 2020. You may get lucky with their sighting in spring.
Black-Chinned Hummingbird
Source: @robinmettler3
- Scientific Name: Archilochus alexandri
- Size: 9 to 10.5 cm (3.5 to 4.1 inches)
- Locality: Western North America
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: May to July
Unlike many birds that build their nests in trees or shrubs, Black-chinned Hummingbirds frequently select horizontal branches as nesting sites. They may even choose to nest on clotheslines, wire fences, or other horizontal structures.
Recognition
Male Black-chinned Hummingbirds have iridescent green upperparts, a black chin and throat, and a metallic purple band across the throat. The rest of their underparts are grayish-white.
Females have green upperparts and a white throat. They lack the glossy throat patch seen in males. Their underparts are grayish-white, and they may have some greenish markings.
Habitat
Black-chinned Hummingbirds occupy a range of habitats, but they are often associated with arid or semi-arid regions. You can find them in desert areas, chaparral, mountainous terrain, and even urban and suburban environments.
Arrival
Black-chinned Hummingbirds in Connecticut are exceedingly rare and considered unusual. However, during the winter months, it embarks on an incredible journey to Central America. They were reported to have been spotted in Fairfield in 2013.
Broad-Billed Hummingbird
Source: @vgl1987
- Scientific Name: Cynanthus latirostris
- Size: 9 to 10 cm (3.5 to 4 inches)
- Locality: Southern United States
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: April to August
Broad-billed Hummingbirds, like many Hummingbird species, produce a distinctive sound with their wings during flight. However, what sets them apart is the particularly loud and distinctive humming or whirring sound their wings make. This sound is more pronounced than that of many other Hummingbird species.
Recognition
Male Broad-billed Hummingbirds display a striking iridescent green plumage on their upperparts and a vibrant, iridescent blue throat (gorget). They have a broad, iridescent blue band across their chest, which is one of their distinctive features. The rest of their underparts are gray.
Females have green upperparts and a white throat. They lack the iridescent throat and chest seen in males. Their underparts are grayish-white.
Habitat
Their range extends from parts of the Southwestern United States, including Arizona and New Mexico, down to Mexico. They have a preference for arid and semi-arid environments. Riparian areas, canyons, and gardens with nectar-rich flowers are also suitable habitats for them.
Arrival
A Broad-billed Hummingbird was spotted in Montville in the year 2008. This sighting was significant because the Broad-billed Hummingbird is not a common visitor to the Northeastern United States. During the spring, they migrate North from Central America, and you may spot them at that time.
Mexican Violet Ear
Source: @leopoldo_ramos92
- Scientific Name: Colibri thalassinus
- Size: 11 to 12.5 cm (4.3 to 4.9 inches)
- Locality: Central America
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: July to November
Mexican Violet Ears have an increased breathing rate, which helps them extract enough oxygen from the thin mountain air. Additionally, they have larger hearts and more efficient oxygen-carrying hemoglobin.
Recognition
Male Mexican Violet Ears are covered with green plumage on their upperparts. They have a distinctive violet or blue-violet patch on the sides of their head. Their throat can also appear violet, and they may have a white stripe running down the center of their belly.
Females are generally less colorful than males. They have green upperparts and a whitish throat. While they may have a faint violet or bluish tint on the sides of their head, it is not as pronounced as in males.
Habitat
Mexican Violet Ears are found in a variety of habitats, including montane forests, cloud forests, and humid evergreen forests. They are often associated with higher elevations, typically ranging from 1,000 to 2,500 m (3,280 to 8,200 ft) above sea level.
Arrival
Mexican Violetear is an extremely rare Hummingbird species to be spotted in Connecticut. In Spring 2017, there was a reported sighting of a Mexican Violetear in Winchester.
Allen’s Hummingbird
Source: @juliejmorley
- Scientific Name: Selasphorus sasin
- Size: 8.9 to 10.2 cm (3.5 to 4 inches)
- Locality: Western North America
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: December
Allen’s Hummingbirds have an intricate behavior where they climb to considerable heights and then perform a dramatic, U-shaped dive, reaching speeds of up to 60 miles per hour (97 km per hour). They create a loud, distinctive sound by producing a chirping noise with their tail feathers during the dive.
Recognition
Male Allen’s Hummingbirds can be easily recognized through their iridescent green plumage on their backs and heads. They have a bright red throat patch, or gorget, which can be an important field mark for identification.
Females have greenish-gray plumage and lack a vibrant throat patch. Their plumage is often mottled with specks.
Habitat
Allen’s Hummingbirds are commonly found in a variety of habitats along the Western coast of North America. These habitats include coastal areas, chaparral, gardens, and forested regions. They are often associated with flowering plants and can be seen visiting gardens and feeders for nectar.
Arrival
Allen’s Hummingbirds are not native to or commonly found in Connecticut. However, there have been cases of accidental occurrence. So, keep a watch for them during spring, and you might get extremely lucky.
FAQ
Now that you know how Hummingbirds are humming throughout the state of Connecticut, it’s possible to have further questions about them. So, let’s take a quick look at these answers!
Q: When is the best time to spot Hummingbirds in Connecticut?
Ans: The best time to see Hummingbirds in Connecticut is during the warmer months, typically from mid-April to early October. This coincides with their breeding season in the state. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are the most common during this time.
Q: Are there any Hummingbird-friendly plants that I can grow in my Connecticut garden?
Ans: Yes, there are several Hummingbird-friendly plants that you can grow in your garden, such as salvias, fuschias, trumpet creeper, lupin, columbine, bee balms, and foxgloves. These plants provide nectar and attract Hummingbirds.
Q: How can I attract Hummingbirds to my backyard in Connecticut?
Ans: To attract Hummingbirds to your backyard, consider setting up Hummingbird feeders filled with a sugar-water solution. Planting nectar-rich flowers and providing a water feature, such as a birdbath, can also make your yard more appealing to these birds.
Thoughts
While Connecticut’s Hummingbird story is relatively short-lived compared to more tropical regions, it’s a story worth telling and experiencing.
Their ability to defy gravity, undertake epic journeys, and brighten our landscapes with their presence is a testament to the marvels of the natural world.
The state’s Hummingbird enthusiasts, ever dedicated to these feathered friends, create welcoming habitats by planting nectar-rich flowers and setting up feeders. They understand that providing sustenance during the breeding season and fuel for long migrations is crucial to the survival of these remarkable birds.
So, as we conclude our exploration of Hummingbirds in Connecticut, I hope the discussion will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the intricate lives of these tiny avian wonders and let their charm remind you of the beauty and diversity that surrounds us in the world of birds.
