Connecticut’s skies come alive each spring with the return of these remarkable tiny birds.
While the most common species are Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, the state actually hosts six different hummingbird species throughout the year, each with unique characteristics and fascinating behaviors.
Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just starting to notice these jewel-toned visitors in your backyard, this comprehensive guide will help you identify every hummingbird species that graces Connecticut’s landscape.
From the reliable Ruby-throated to the extraordinarily rare visitors, you’ll discover when to spot them, what makes each species special, and how to create the perfect environment to attract them to your yard.
When Hummingbirds Arrive in Connecticut
The best time to put out hummingbird feeders in Connecticut is early to mid-April, ahead of the hummingbirds’ expected arrival. The ruby-throated hummingbird, which is the only hummingbird that breeds and nests in the state, usually appears in late April or early May, with males typically arriving first to establish territories. According to the Connecticut Audubon Society’s tracking data, first arrivals can vary by location throughout the state.
Most hummingbirds leave Connecticut by the end of August or early September. By mid-September, almost all birds are gone, and they won’t return again until spring. However, you may still see hummingbirds in Connecticut in winter, making it worthwhile to keep feeders up through early November.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)
Status: Common year-round resident and breeder
Best viewing time: Late April through September
Identification: Males display an iridescent ruby-red throat patch that can appear black in certain lighting. Females lack the red throat, showing white underparts with a slightly rounded tail tipped in white.
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is Connecticut’s star performer and the only species that regularly breeds in the state. According to Menunkatuck Audubon Society, of the over 300 species of hummingbirds in the world, only one breeds east of the Mississippi River: the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird spends the winter in Central America and Southern Mexico, with migration research showing that most spend their winters between southern Mexico and northern Panama.
These remarkable birds weigh less than a penny but can fly at speeds up to 30 mph. Ruby-throated hummingbirds generally eat twice their body weight in the nectar each day, making them frequent visitors to well-maintained feeders.
Where to spot them: Gardens with native flowering plants, especially red tubular flowers like bee balm and cardinal flower. They’re also common at sugar water feeders placed near flower gardens.
Nesting habits: Females build walnut-sized nests on thin branches, often 10-20 feet above ground. The nest is constructed with plant down and spider silk, making it extremely elastic to accommodate growing chicks.
Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus)
Status: Extremely rare vagrant
Best viewing time: Late summer through early fall (if present)
Identification: Males are unmistakable with their bright orange-red (rufous) backs, crowns, and sides. Females show green backs with rufous sides and distinctive rufous patches at the base of their outer tail feathers.
The Rufous Hummingbirds is a rare visitor to Connecticut. These hardy birds undertake one of the longest migrations of any hummingbird species, traveling up to 3,900 miles from their breeding grounds in Alaska and western Canada to wintering areas in Mexico.
When a Rufous Hummingbird does appear in Connecticut, it’s typically during fall migration when birds occasionally get blown off course by weather systems. Their aggressive nature makes them dominant at feeders, often chasing away other hummingbirds despite being in unfamiliar territory. Migration research from the US Forest Service shows that Rufous Hummingbirds undertake massive southbound fall migrations, which can occasionally bring them far from their normal western routes.
Where to spot them: Most likely at hummingbird feeders in late summer or fall, particularly during severe weather events that can push them eastward from their normal migration routes.
Behavior notes: Extremely territorial and aggressive, often claimed to be the most aggressive hummingbird species in North America. They’ll defend feeders vigorously against much larger birds.
Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope)
Status: Accidental vagrant – only one confirmed record
Best viewing time: Extremely rare – if present, most likely during migration periods
Identification: North America’s smallest breeding bird. Males feature distinctive magenta streaks (not a solid throat patch) against white underparts. Females are very difficult to distinguish from other Selasphorus species.
Only one Calliope Hummingbird has ever been found in Connecticut, in 2006. This makes any Calliope sighting in the state extraordinarily significant and worthy of immediate documentation.
Despite their tiny size (even smaller than Ruby-throated Hummingbirds), Calliope Hummingbirds are remarkably hardy. They breed at higher elevations than any other North American hummingbird and can survive temperatures that would challenge much larger birds.
Where to spot them: Any sighting would be at feeders or flower gardens, likely during migration periods in late summer or fall.
Key identification tips: Look for the unique streaked (not solid) throat pattern on males and the extremely small size. If you suspect a Calliope, document with photos immediately and report to local birding organizations.
Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri)
Status: Accidental vagrant
Best viewing time: Extremely rare – if present, most likely during migration
Identification: Males have black throats with a thin purple band at the bottom edge, visible only in good lighting. Females are nearly identical to female Ruby-throated Hummingbirds but slightly larger.
If you ever observe a Black-chinned Hummingbird in Connecticut, that bird is REALLY lost and probably got blown off course during migration. There are only a few records of this hummingbird being seen in Connecticut.
These western hummingbirds typically breed from British Columbia to Mexico, staying west of the Rocky Mountains. Any appearance in Connecticut represents a significant navigation error or weather-related displacement.
Where to spot them: Would most likely appear at feeders or flowering plants during migration periods, particularly in fall when weather systems can push birds far from their normal routes.
Identification challenges: Female Black-chinned Hummingbirds are virtually impossible to distinguish from female Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in the field. Males are distinctive when the purple throat band is visible.
Broad-billed Hummingbird (Cynanthus latirostris)
Status: Accidental vagrant
Best viewing time: Extremely rare – no predictable timing
Identification: Males show brilliant blue-green bodies with bright red bills tipped in black. Females are more subdued with grayish underparts and the same distinctive red-based bill.
The female Broad-billed Hummingbirds are less colorful than the male. Her throat, chest, and belly are light to medium grey. Both sexes share the characteristic broad, red bill that gives the species its name.
Broad-billed Hummingbirds are primarily residents of Mexico and the southwestern United States, making any Connecticut appearance exceptional. Their preference for desert and mountain environments makes them unlikely Connecticut visitors.
Where to spot them: Any sighting would be remarkable and likely at feeders or flowering plants during unusual weather events or migration anomalies.
Distinctive features: The broad, red bill is the most reliable field mark for both sexes. Males also show distinctive blue-green coloration unlike any other hummingbird likely to appear in Connecticut.
Mexican Violetear (Colibri thalassinus)
Status: Accidental vagrant
Best viewing time: Extremely rare – no predictable timing
Identification: Larger than Ruby-throated Hummingbirds with distinctive violet ear patches and violet chest band. Both sexes show green backs and violet markings, though males are more vibrant.
The Mexican Violetear is a highland species typically found in mountainous regions from Mexico to Nicaragua. Any Connecticut appearance would represent an extraordinary vagrancy event, likely involving severe weather displacement or navigation errors.
These hummingbirds are notably larger and more robust than Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, with different flight patterns and behaviors that can help with identification even at a distance.
Where to spot them: Would most likely appear at feeders or large flowering plants during exceptional circumstances.
Key identification points: Larger size, distinctive violet ear patches, and violet chest band make identification relatively straightforward compared to other vagrant hummingbird species.
Creating the Perfect Connecticut Hummingbird Habitat
Feeder placement and timing: If you have hummingbird-friendly flowers in your yard, place the feeder near the plants. Set up feeders in early to mid-April before the first arrivals, and leave a hummingbird feeder in place for at least a couple of weeks after your last hummingbird sighting.
Native plants for hummingbirds: Focus on red, tubular flowers that bloom throughout the growing season. Excellent choices include bee balm, cardinal flower, trumpet vine, and native honeysuckle. These plants provide natural nectar sources while attracting the small insects that hummingbirds need for protein.
Feeder maintenance: Change sugar water every 3-5 days in warm weather, more frequently during hot spells. Clean feeders thoroughly with hot water and a bottle brush, avoiding soap which can leave harmful residues.
Multiple feeder strategy: Place several feeders around your property to accommodate the territorial nature of hummingbirds, especially during peak migration periods when multiple species might be present.
Migration Patterns and Timing
Understanding Connecticut’s hummingbird migration patterns can significantly improve your chances of spotting different species:
Spring arrival: According to Hummingbird Central’s 2025 migration tracking, first arrivals in the spring, usually males, are back in Texas and Louisiana in late February to mid-March. In more northern states and Canadian provinces, first arrivals are not until April or May. Research indicates that hummingbirds can travel as much as 23 miles in one day, though during migration they may cover up to 500 miles at a time.
Peak activity: May through July offers the best opportunities for seeing Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, with peak numbers typically occurring in late May and early June.
Fall migration: August through September brings the possibility of vagrant species, as weather systems can push off-course birds into Connecticut’s airspace.
Winter possibilities: While rare, some hummingbirds do overwinter in Connecticut, particularly during mild winters or when reliable food sources are maintained.
Reporting Rare Sightings
If you spot what you believe to be a vagrant hummingbird species in Connecticut, proper documentation is crucial:
Photography: Take multiple photos from different angles, focusing on key field marks like throat coloration, bill shape, and size relative to known species.
Detailed notes: Record date, time, location, weather conditions, and behavior observations. Note any distinguishing features and what the bird was doing when observed.
Expert consultation: Contact local Audubon chapters or experienced birders for identification confirmation before reporting to rare bird databases.
Citizen science: Your observations contribute to our understanding of changing migration patterns and climate-related range shifts.
Conclusion
Connecticut’s hummingbird diversity tells a fascinating story of regular residents, rare wanderers, and the increasing unpredictability of bird migration patterns. While the Ruby-throated Hummingbird remains the state’s reliable summer resident, the possibility of spotting one of the five vagrant species adds excitement to every hummingbird encounter.
By maintaining proper feeders, planting native flowers, and staying alert to the subtle differences between species, you’ll be prepared to appreciate and document Connecticut’s complete hummingbird community. Whether you’re watching a familiar Ruby-throated Hummingbird or discovering a once-in-a-lifetime vagrant, each sighting contributes to our understanding of these remarkable birds and their changing world.
Remember that patience and persistence are key to hummingbird watching. Set up your feeders early, maintain them consistently, and keep your eyes open for the unexpected. In the world of hummingbirds, the next visitor to your yard might just be the rarest bird you’ll ever see.
