New Jersey hosts a small but intriguing group of hummingbirds. One species, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, breeds regularly across the state each summer, while several western hummingbirds appear as rare visitors later in the year. Most of these unexpected guests arrive during late fall and early winter, often visiting backyard feeders once the local breeders have migrated south. This guide highlights the identification, seasonal occurrence, and distinguishing features of hummingbirds recorded in New Jersey.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
- Identification: Small hummingbird with metallic green upperparts, pale underparts, a slender slightly downcurved bill, and in adult males a brilliant iridescent red throat.
- Where found: Summer breeder and migrant across New Jersey, using woodlands, forest edges, gardens, parks, and suburban landscapes.
- How to spot: Watch for fast, direct flight with frequent hovering at flowers or feeders, aggressive chases, and rapid squeaky or chipping calls near feeding sites.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); common in New Jersey during the breeding season and migration, with no major documented threats in the state.
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only hummingbird that breeds regularly in New Jersey and the species most residents encounter each spring and summer. It measures 7 to 9 centimeters (2.8 to 3.5 inches) in length and has a compact body, short tail, and narrow wings adapted for precise hovering flight. Upperparts are metallic green and contrast with pale underparts. Adult males show a vivid iridescent red throat that may appear dark when not reflecting light, while females lack the red gorget and show a plain pale throat.
In the field, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are often detected by their flight behavior and activity at feeding sites. Individuals fly straight and fast between flowers or feeders, stop abruptly to hover, and shift position with fine control. They frequently defend nectar sources, chasing intruders with rapid wingbeats and sharp squeaky or chipping calls. The wings produce a steady humming sound in flight. Their diet consists primarily of floral nectar, supplemented by small insects and spiders captured in midair or taken from foliage.
In New Jersey, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird arrives in mid-April, with peak migration occurring in late April and early May. The state serves both as a breeding area and as an important stopover for birds moving farther north. Breeding birds use open woodlands, forest edges, riparian corridors, gardens, parks, and suburban neighborhoods throughout the Coastal Plain, Piedmont, and Highlands where flowering plants or feeders are available. By late July through August, southbound migration begins, and most individuals depart by early September. The species does not winter in New Jersey under normal conditions; hummingbirds observed in winter are typically vagrant western species.
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is considered common across New Jersey during the breeding season and migration, though numbers fluctuate seasonally as birds move through the state. It benefits from the widespread availability of flowering ornamental plants and backyard feeders in suburban and residential landscapes. Avoidance of pesticides and maintenance of clean nectar feeders during migration periods are recommended practices to support individuals passing through the state.
Rufous Hummingbird
Selasphorus rufus
- Identification: Small hummingbird with a slender bill and short wings; adult males are strongly rufous with an orange-red iridescent throat; females are greener with rufous in the tail and flanks.
- Where found: Rare but increasingly regular fall and winter visitor to New Jersey, most often at backyard feeders in suburban and coastal communities.
- How to spot: Watch for an extremely territorial hummingbird aggressively defending feeders, listen for sharp chip notes during chases, and note warm rufous tones in plumage.
- Conservation status: Near Threatened (IUCN); declining across North America, but recorded annually in New Jersey in recent years.
The Rufous Hummingbird is the most frequently documented western hummingbird in New Jersey and the species most likely to appear after Ruby-throated Hummingbirds depart in late summer. It measures 7 to 9 centimeters (2.8 to 3.5 inches) in length and has a compact body, short wings, and a narrow bill that give it a fast, energetic appearance. Adult males are largely rufous with a glittering orange-red throat, though some green may be present on the back. Females appear greener overall and show whitish underparts with rufous in the flanks and outer tail feathers.
Field identification often begins with behavior. Rufous Hummingbirds are intensely territorial and frequently defend backyard feeders, chasing other hummingbirds and even larger birds with rapid, forceful flights. They give sharp chip notes during disputes and may remain at a single feeder for days or weeks. Feeding centers on nectar provided by flowers or feeders, supplemented by small insects. Because similar western species can occur in New Jersey, positive identification often requires close study or banding, particularly for female or immature birds.
In New Jersey, the Rufous Hummingbird occurs as a rare but increasingly regular visitor from late autumn through winter. Most records fall between October and March, after Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have migrated south. Observations and banding records are concentrated in suburban neighborhoods and coastal communities, particularly along the Jersey Shore and in central and southern counties. Recent photo documentation shows repeated fall and winter occurrences in counties such as Somerset, Gloucester, Atlantic, Burlington, Hunterdon, Mercer, and Bergen. Individuals are typically associated with backyard feeders, and some remain for extended periods before moving on.
Although the Rufous Hummingbird breeds primarily in northwestern North America and winters mainly in Mexico, verified winter records in the eastern United States have increased in recent decades. In New Jersey, the species remains rare but appears annually, with documentation suggesting that occurrences have become more regular and predictable than in past decades. Long-term monitoring across North America indicates significant population declines, and the species is now considered a conservation concern continentally. Continued documentation and banding efforts in New Jersey contribute to understanding migration pathways and winter ecology for this western visitor.
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Archilochus alexandri
- Identification: Small, slender hummingbird with dull bronze-green upperparts, pale underparts, a straight to slightly decurved black bill, and in adult males a velvety black throat bordered below by a narrow band of iridescent violet.
- Where found: Rare and irregular fall and early winter visitor to New Jersey, most often recorded in coastal and southern counties at backyard feeders.
- How to spot: Look for a small hummingbird hovering steadily at feeders, perching between feeding bouts, and showing longer wings that reach the tail tip when perched.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); stable overall in western North America, with irregular but repeated records in New Jersey.
The Black-chinned Hummingbird is a rare western visitor to New Jersey and one of the more consistently documented non-native hummingbirds in the state. It measures 8 to 9 centimeters (3.1 to 3.5 inches) in length and has a slim build with a straight to slightly downcurved black bill. Upperparts are dull bronze-green and underparts pale grayish-white. Adult males show a velvety black throat with a narrow band of iridescent violet that is often visible only in favorable light. Most individuals recorded in New Jersey are females or immatures, which lack the bold male throat pattern and can appear similar to Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.
Field identification in New Jersey often requires close attention to structure and subtle plumage traits. Birds hover steadily at feeders and perch between feeding bouts, behavior typical of many hummingbirds. When perched, Black-chinned Hummingbirds show proportionally longer wings that reach the tip of the tail or extend slightly beyond it, whereas Ruby-throated Hummingbirds show a longer tail that projects clearly past the wingtips. Females and immatures may show faint dusky or bluish-black spotting on the throat, but these features can be subtle. Because separation from similar species can be challenging, some records are confirmed through careful documentation or banding.
In New Jersey, the Black-chinned Hummingbird occurs as a rare and irregular visitor, primarily in late autumn and early winter. Most documented records fall between October and December, after Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have departed. Observations are concentrated in coastal and southern counties, especially Cape May, with additional records from Atlantic and Ocean Counties. Individuals are typically associated with backyard feeders, and some remain locally for extended periods during mild early winter conditions.
Across its core western range, the Black-chinned Hummingbird remains common and secure. In New Jersey, it is rare but recorded repeatedly in some years, while other years produce few or no confirmed reports. Its appearance in the state reflects broader patterns of post-breeding dispersal and winter wandering by western hummingbirds. Continued careful documentation, including photographic evidence and occasional banding, has improved understanding of its status as a recurring but irregular visitor to New Jersey.
Allen’s Hummingbird
Selasphorus sasin
- Identification: Small, compact hummingbird with bronze-green upperparts, rufous on the flanks and tail, and in adult males a brilliant coppery-red throat.
- Where found: Rare fall and early winter visitor to coastal New Jersey, most often recorded at backyard feeders in Cape May and Ocean counties.
- How to spot: Look for a stocky hummingbird at feeders and study the spread tail for narrow outer tail feathers, a key feature separating it from Rufous Hummingbird.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); declining within its limited western breeding range, with rare but repeated records in New Jersey.
The Allen’s Hummingbird occurs irregularly in New Jersey and is closely associated with Rufous Hummingbird among late-season Selasphorus records. It measures 8 to 9 centimeters (3.1 to 3.5 inches) in length and has a short, stocky build with relatively short wings and a straight bill. Upperparts are bronze-green, and rufous is present on the flanks and tail. Adult males show a vivid coppery-red throat, but most individuals documented in New Jersey are immature males or females, which lack a fully developed gorget and appear much duller overall.
Identification is challenging because Allen’s and Rufous Hummingbirds are often inseparable in the field. Most female and immature-type birds cannot be identified safely without detailed views. The most reliable distinction is the shape of the outer tail feathers: Allen’s shows narrow outer tail feathers, whereas Rufous shows broader outer feathers. Structural differences in wing and tail length also exist but overlap and are subtle. As a result, many Selasphorus hummingbirds in the state require careful photographic documentation or banding for confirmation.
In New Jersey, Allen’s Hummingbird occurs as a rare but recurring visitor primarily from late August or September through December. Most documented records are concentrated in coastal counties, especially Cape May and Ocean, and birds are typically associated with backyard feeders in suburban settings. Occurrences are irregular from year to year, with some seasons producing multiple records and others few or none. Individuals may remain at a single feeder for days or weeks before moving on.
Although the species breeds mainly along the Pacific Coast of California and southwestern Oregon, small numbers appear irregularly in the eastern United States during migration and winter. In New Jersey, Allen’s Hummingbird remains rare and difficult to confirm, with most records involving immature males or females that require close study. Continued documentation, including careful photography and occasional banding, has improved understanding of its status as an infrequent but repeat western visitor to the state.
Calliope Hummingbird
Selasphorus calliope
- Identification: Tiny hummingbird with green upperparts and a short straight bill; adult males show a distinctive throat of separate magenta-red rays forming a starburst pattern.
- Where found: Rare and irregular fall and early winter visitor to New Jersey, most often recorded at backyard feeders along the coast.
- How to spot: Look for a very small hummingbird at feeders and note its short tail and compact structure compared with other Selasphorus hummingbirds.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations are generally stable in North America, with only occasional records in New Jersey.
The Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest bird in North America and a rare but recurring visitor to New Jersey. It measures 7 to 8 centimeters (2.8 to 3.1 inches) in length and has a compact, short-tailed appearance with a fine, relatively short bill. Upperparts are green and underparts pale. Adult males show a distinctive gorget composed of narrow magenta-red rays radiating outward from the throat, forming a starburst pattern when illuminated. Most individuals recorded in New Jersey, however, are females or immature birds that lack the male’s distinctive throat and appear much plainer.
In the field, Calliope Hummingbirds are often recognized by their small size and compact structure. At feeders they hover and feed in a manner similar to other hummingbirds, but careful observation can reveal useful structural differences. When perched, the wings and tail are approximately the same length, whereas in Rufous and Allen’s hummingbirds the tail usually extends beyond the folded wings. Females and immatures also show less rufous in the tail and flanks than those Selasphorus species and often display a pale buff wash across the breast.
In New Jersey, the Calliope Hummingbird occurs as a rare and irregular visitor, typically appearing from October through December after Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have departed. Most records involve birds visiting backyard feeders, with repeated observations from coastal counties such as Cape May and Ocean. Additional inland records have occurred in counties including Middlesex, Hunterdon, Hudson, and Morris. Occurrences vary from year to year, and individuals may remain at a feeder for several days before continuing their movements.
Across its core range in western North America, the Calliope Hummingbird breeds mainly in mountainous regions and migrates to wintering areas in Mexico. In New Jersey it remains a rare visitor recorded only occasionally, usually during fall movements of western hummingbirds into the eastern United States. Continued documentation by observers and careful identification of Selasphorus-type hummingbirds help clarify the frequency of this species in the state.
Where and When to See Hummingbirds in New Jersey
New Jersey’s hummingbird community is small but surprisingly dynamic. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the state’s only regular breeding species and can be found across gardens, parks, woodland edges, and suburban neighborhoods from mid-April through summer. After these birds depart in late summer and early fall, a handful of western hummingbirds occasionally appear, most often visiting backyard feeders during late autumn and early winter. Careful observation of structure, plumage, and behavior is often necessary to identify these rare visitors, particularly among the similar-looking Selasphorus hummingbirds. Maintaining clean feeders and documenting unusual hummingbirds with photographs can help observers contribute valuable records that improve understanding of these remarkable migrants in the state.
For a broader perspective, see our guide to the types of hummingbirds in North America, and explore the Birds of New Jersey and Birds of the United States pages for additional regional and national bird guides.
How to Attract Hummingbirds in New Jersey
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds can be attracted to gardens by planting nectar-rich native flowers that bloom from late spring through early fall. Bright red or orange tubular flowers such as cardinal flower and other hummingbird-adapted plants provide important natural food sources during the breeding season. Backyard feeders filled with simple sugar water can supplement these resources, especially during spring arrival and late summer migration, but they require regular cleaning every few days in warm weather to prevent fermentation. Combining native flowering plants with well-maintained feeders provides the most reliable way to attract and support hummingbirds in New Jersey.
