Delaware’s location along the Atlantic Flyway makes it a fascinating stop for hummingbirds during their incredible migratory journeys. While you’ll primarily see one species as a regular summer resident, nine other hummingbird species have been documented in the First State, creating exciting opportunities for dedicated birders.
Whether you’re setting up your first feeder or you’ve been watching hummingbirds for years, understanding which species might visit your yard and when to expect them can transform your backyard birding experience.
The timing of hummingbird arrivals in Delaware follows predictable patterns, with Ruby-throated Hummingbirds returning in late April and departing by October.
Rare western species occasionally appear during fall migration, especially after storms push them off course. Knowing the key factors that attract hummingbirds helps you create an inviting habitat that might even draw these uncommon visitors to your property.
1. Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is Delaware’s only breeding hummingbird species and the one you’ll see most frequently from late April through October. These tiny dynamos measure just 3 to 3.75 inches long and weigh less than a nickel, yet they complete an extraordinary migration that includes a nonstop 500-mile flight across the Gulf of Mexico.
Males are unmistakable with their brilliant ruby-red throat patch, called a gorget, which appears black in poor lighting. Their backs shimmer with metallic green, and their forked tails help distinguish them from females.
Female Ruby-throats lack the red throat and instead display white underparts with a rounded tail featuring white tips on the outer feathers. Both sexes have the characteristic rapid wingbeats that create their humming sound, beating their wings approximately 53 times per second during normal flight.
Pro Tip: Ruby-throated males arrive in Delaware 7-10 days before females, typically in the last week of April. Set up your feeders by mid-April to welcome these early arrivals and establish your yard as a reliable food source.
These hummingbirds prefer woodland edges, gardens, and parks where they can find both nectar sources and small insects. They’re particularly attracted to tubular red flowers like bee balm, cardinal flower, and trumpet vine.
During breeding season, males perform dramatic courtship displays, flying in U-shaped patterns while producing distinctive wing sounds. Females build tiny cup-shaped nests about the size of a walnut shell, camouflaging them with lichen and binding them together with spider silk.
Migration timing is remarkably consistent in Delaware. Spring arrival peaks between April 25 and May 10, with breeding activity occurring from May through July. Fall migration begins in late August, with most birds departing by mid-October, though stragglers occasionally remain into November. According to Journey North tracking data, Delaware sightings align closely with migration patterns in neighboring states.
2. Rufous Hummingbird
The Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is Delaware’s most frequently recorded rare hummingbird species, typically appearing during fall migration between late October and December. These feisty western birds are roughly the same size as Ruby-throats but are known for their aggressive behavior and willingness to defend feeders against much larger birds.
Adult males are stunning with overall rufous (reddish-brown) plumage covering their backs, sides, and tails. They sport an iridescent orange-red gorget that can appear copper or gold depending on the light angle. Some males show varying amounts of green on their backs.
Females and immature birds present more identification challenges, displaying green backs with rufous sides and tails. The key field mark for female and immature Rufous Hummingbirds is extensive rufous coloring on the tail feathers and along the sides, more pronounced than similar species.
These hummingbirds breed in the Pacific Northwest and undertake one of the longest migratory journeys relative to body size of any bird, traveling up to 3,000 miles from Alaska to Mexico.
During fall migration, some individuals drift eastward, occasionally reaching the Atlantic Coast. Delaware’s documented Rufous Hummingbird sightings occur almost exclusively from late October through December, well after Ruby-throats have departed.
Important Note: If you spot a hummingbird at your feeder after mid-November in Delaware, it’s likely a Rufous or another rare western species, not a Ruby-throat. Keep your feeders up through December to support these late migrants, and consider reporting your sighting to eBird.
Rufous Hummingbirds are particularly attracted to feeders and will readily use them as their primary food source during migration. They prefer open areas and woodland edges similar to Ruby-throats.
Their aggressive temperament means a single Rufous can dominate multiple feeders, chasing away other birds despite being far from their normal range. If you’re hoping to spot one of these rare visitors, maintaining clean, fresh nectar in your feeders through late fall significantly increases your chances.
3. Black-chinned Hummingbird
The Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) is an extremely rare visitor to Delaware, with only a handful of documented records. This western species closely resembles the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, making identification challenging and requiring careful observation of specific field marks.
Male Black-chinned Hummingbirds have a black throat with a thin purple band along the bottom edge, visible only in good light. Unlike the Ruby-throat’s solid red gorget, this purple border is the key distinguishing feature.
Their bills appear slightly longer and more decurved than Ruby-throats. Females are nearly identical to female Ruby-throats, with green backs and grayish-white underparts, making field identification extremely difficult without excellent views or photographs.
The most reliable way to distinguish Black-chinned from Ruby-throated Hummingbirds is by listening to their wing sounds. Black-chinned males produce a distinctive low-pitched hum during their courtship displays, noticeably different from the Ruby-throat’s higher-pitched buzz. However, in Delaware, where Black-chinned Hummingbirds appear only as rare vagrants, you’re unlikely to observe courtship behavior.
These hummingbirds breed primarily in the southwestern United States and Mexico, favoring arid canyons, desert washes, and riparian woodlands. The few Delaware records typically occur during fall migration, from September through November, when birds occasionally wander eastward.
Given their rarity, any suspected Black-chinned Hummingbird sighting in Delaware should be carefully documented with photographs and reported to local birding organizations.
Black-chinned Hummingbirds are adaptable feeders, visiting both flowers and feeders readily. They show less aggression than Rufous Hummingbirds and often coexist peacefully with other hummingbird species.
In their normal range, they’re attracted to similar flowers as Ruby-throats, including penstemons, sages, and various tubular blooms. Understanding the diversity of hummingbird species helps you appreciate just how unusual a Black-chinned sighting would be in Delaware.
4. Calliope Hummingbird
The Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) holds the distinction of being North America’s smallest bird, measuring just 3 to 3.5 inches long and weighing only 2 to 3 grams. This tiny western species is exceptionally rare in Delaware, with very few confirmed records, making any sighting a significant event for local birders.
Male Calliope Hummingbirds are distinctive once you know what to look for. Instead of a solid-colored gorget, they display wine-red streaks radiating from the throat against a white background, creating a unique “whiskered” appearance.
Their backs are glossy green, and they have relatively short tails and bills compared to other hummingbirds. Females and immature birds are buff-washed below with peachy sides, and their tails show rufous at the base with dark tips.
Despite their diminutive size, Calliope Hummingbirds are hardy migrants, breeding in mountain meadows of the Pacific Northwest and traveling to southern Mexico for winter.
They undertake an impressive 5,000-mile round-trip migration annually. The species typically migrates through the Rocky Mountain corridor, making eastward vagrancy to Delaware extremely unusual. Any Delaware appearances would most likely occur during fall migration, between September and November.
Key Insight: The Calliope’s streaked gorget pattern is unique among hummingbirds and is the definitive field mark for males. If you see throat streaking rather than a solid patch of color, you’re looking at something special.
These hummingbirds prefer high-elevation habitats during breeding season, typically between 4,000 and 11,000 feet, where they feed on wildflowers in mountain meadows.
They’re particularly attracted to red columbine, Indian paintbrush, and various penstemons. During migration, they readily visit feeders and adapt to lower elevations. Their small size and relatively docile nature mean they often lose territorial disputes with larger hummingbird species.
Given the extreme rarity of Calliope Hummingbirds in Delaware, any potential sighting requires exceptional documentation. The bird’s tiny size, short bill, and distinctive gorget pattern (in males) are critical identification features. Photographs from multiple angles are essential for verification, and immediate reporting to local rare bird alerts would help other birders confirm this extraordinary vagrant.
5. Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna) is a West Coast specialty that has been expanding its range northward and occasionally appears as a vagrant in eastern states, including Delaware.
While still considered very rare in the First State, Anna’s Hummingbirds are more cold-hardy than other species and have been documented during winter months when most hummingbirds have long departed.
Male Anna’s Hummingbirds are among the most spectacular hummingbirds, with rose-pink iridescent feathers covering both the head and throat, extending up onto the forehead and crown. This extensive colorful plumage distinguishes them from Ruby-throats, which have color only on the throat.
The pink coloration can appear dark or even black in poor lighting but flashes brilliantly when the sun hits it at the right angle. Their backs are metallic green, and they’re slightly larger and stockier than Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.
Females lack the colorful head and throat but often show a small patch of red iridescent feathers on the throat center. They have grayish underparts with green backs and are generally more robust-looking than female Ruby-throats. Both sexes produce loud, scratchy vocalizations quite different from other hummingbird species, often described as a rapid series of buzzy notes.
Anna’s Hummingbirds are unique among North American hummingbirds as non-migratory residents throughout much of their range, primarily along the Pacific Coast from Baja California to British Columbia.
Their ability to survive cold temperatures has allowed them to expand their range significantly over the past few decades. According to expert observations on hummingbird patterns, Anna’s Hummingbirds have increasingly appeared in unexpected locations during winter months.
Delaware records of Anna’s Hummingbirds typically occur from late fall through winter, November through February, when they’re most easily distinguished from the departed Ruby-throats. These winter visitors often locate feeders and may remain for extended periods if food sources are maintained.
They show remarkable cold tolerance, entering torpor during freezing nights to conserve energy. If you maintain feeders through winter, you increase your chances of hosting one of these beautiful western vagrants. Similar winter hummingbird patterns have been observed in neighboring Connecticut, where rare species occasionally overwinter.
6. Allen’s Hummingbird
Allen’s Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin) is an exceptionally rare vagrant to Delaware, with very few confirmed records. This West Coast species is notoriously difficult to distinguish from the more common Rufous Hummingbird, requiring expert observation and often photographic documentation for positive identification.
Adult male Allen’s Hummingbirds closely resemble male Rufous Hummingbirds, with orange-red gorgets and extensive rufous coloring on the sides and tail.
The primary distinguishing feature is the back color: male Allen’s have solid green backs, while male Rufous typically show at least some rufous on the back, though this field mark isn’t always reliable since some Rufous males also have green backs. The most definitive identification feature is the tail shape and pattern, requiring in-hand examination or exceptional photographs.
Female and immature Allen’s Hummingbirds are virtually indistinguishable from female and immature Rufous Hummingbirds in the field. Both show green backs with rufous sides and tail feathers.
The outermost tail feathers are slightly narrower in Allen’s, but this subtle difference is impossible to assess reliably without capturing and measuring the bird. For practical purposes, any rufous-colored hummingbird in Delaware should be identified as “Rufous/Allen’s Hummingbird” unless definitive photographs or in-hand examination can confirm the species.
Common Mistake: Assuming any rufous-colored hummingbird with a green back is an Allen’s rather than a Rufous. Many male Rufous Hummingbirds show green backs, making visual separation nearly impossible without seeing specific tail feather patterns.
Allen’s Hummingbirds breed in a narrow coastal strip of California and southern Oregon, with some populations migrating to Mexico while others remain resident year-round.
Their limited breeding range and migratory patterns make eastward vagrancy even less likely than for Rufous Hummingbirds. Any Delaware appearances would most likely occur during fall migration, from October through December, coinciding with the timing of Rufous Hummingbird vagrants.
These hummingbirds share similar habitat preferences with Rufous Hummingbirds, favoring coastal scrub, gardens, and woodland edges. They’re equally aggressive and readily defend feeding territories.
Given the identification challenges, birders should document any suspected Allen’s Hummingbird with detailed notes on back color, tail pattern, and behavior, along with photographs from multiple angles. Consultation with experienced hummingbird banders or regional experts is essential for confirmation of this extremely rare vagrant.
7. Broad-tailed Hummingbird
The Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) is a Rocky Mountain species that very rarely wanders to the East Coast, with only a handful of documented Delaware records. These medium-sized hummingbirds are named for their distinctively broad tail feathers, though this feature is difficult to assess in the field without direct comparison to other species.
Male Broad-tailed Hummingbirds display rose-magenta gorgets that can appear similar to Ruby-throated Hummingbirds at first glance, but the color is more purple-pink than ruby-red.
Their most distinctive feature is an audible high-pitched, metallic trill produced by their wing feathers during flight, often described as sounding like a cricket or an insect. This wing trill is unique among eastern vagrant hummingbirds and serves as an excellent identification clue. Their backs are metallic green, and they’re slightly larger than Ruby-throats with a more robust build.
Females and immature Broad-tailed Hummingbirds present significant identification challenges. They show green backs with buff-washed sides and white underparts, similar to female Ruby-throats.
The tail pattern provides the best field mark: Broad-tailed females have rufous at the base of the outer tail feathers with black subterminal bands and white tips. However, this pattern requires excellent views and is easily confused with other species. The broad, rounded tail shape is distinctive but subtle.
These hummingbirds breed in mountain meadows and open woodlands throughout the Rocky Mountain region, typically at elevations between 7,000 and 10,000 feet. They’re adapted to cool mountain climates and can tolerate cold temperatures better than many hummingbird species.
Their migration route follows the Rocky Mountain corridor, making eastward vagrancy to Delaware extremely unusual. Any Delaware appearances would most likely occur during fall migration, from September through November.
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds feed on a variety of mountain wildflowers, including scarlet gilia, Indian paintbrush, and various penstemons. They readily visit feeders during migration and are moderately territorial, though less aggressive than Rufous Hummingbirds.
Their distinctive wing trill makes males relatively easy to identify if you hear them, but silent females and immatures require careful attention to tail pattern and overall structure. The species has been documented occasionally in Pennsylvania, suggesting that vagrant individuals do occasionally reach the Mid-Atlantic region.
8. Buff-bellied Hummingbird
The Buff-bellied Hummingbird (Amazilia yucatanensis) is a subtropical species that occasionally wanders north from its core range along the Gulf Coast of Texas and Mexico. Delaware records are extremely rare, making any sighting a significant ornithological event. This species is larger and more robust than the familiar Ruby-throated Hummingbird, with distinctive plumage that makes identification relatively straightforward.
Both male and female Buff-bellied Hummingbirds share similar plumage, showing metallic green on the head, back, and breast, with a distinctive buffy or tawny belly that gives the species its name.
Their most striking feature is the bright red bill with a black tip, quite different from the all-black bills of most eastern hummingbirds. The tail is rufous-chestnut with bronze-green central feathers, and the throat shows green iridescence rather than the red or purple gorgets of many other species.
These hummingbirds are noticeably larger than Ruby-throats, measuring 4 to 4.5 inches long with a stockier build. Their flight pattern appears more direct and less erratic than smaller hummingbird species. The combination of buff belly, red bill, and rufous tail makes them relatively easy to identify if you get a good look, though their rarity in Delaware means most birders won’t encounter them.
Pro Tip: The Buff-bellied’s red bill is visible even at a distance and is the quickest way to separate this species from any other hummingbird you might see in Delaware. If you spot a hummingbird with a noticeably red bill, grab your camera immediately.
Buff-bellied Hummingbirds are non-migratory or short-distance migrants, with most individuals remaining along the Gulf Coast year-round. Some birds wander northward along the coast during late summer and fall, occasionally reaching as far as the Atlantic Coast. According to regional hummingbird documentation, any Delaware appearances would most likely occur from October through January, during the species’ post-breeding dispersal period.
These hummingbirds prefer subtropical woodlands, gardens, and citrus groves in their normal range. They feed on a variety of flowering plants and readily visit feeders. They’re moderately territorial but less aggressive than Rufous Hummingbirds.
Their vocalizations include chattering calls and squeaky notes. Given their extreme rarity in Delaware, any suspected Buff-bellied Hummingbird should be thoroughly documented with photographs and immediately reported to local birding organizations for verification.
9. Broad-billed Hummingbird
The Broad-billed Hummingbird (Cynanthus latirostris) is a Mexican species that occasionally wanders into the southwestern United States, with extremely rare vagrant records reaching the East Coast. Delaware has very few, if any, confirmed records of this species, making it one of the least likely hummingbirds you might encounter in the state.
Male Broad-billed Hummingbirds are stunning birds with dark blue-green plumage covering the body and throat, appearing almost entirely dark in poor light but showing brilliant metallic colors in good lighting.
The most distinctive feature is the bright red bill with a black tip, similar to the Buff-bellied Hummingbird. The tail is dark blue-black with a slight fork. Under optimal lighting conditions, the throat and breast show intense blue iridescence that distinguishes them from other dark-colored hummingbirds.
Female Broad-billed Hummingbirds are more subdued, with metallic green backs and grayish underparts. They retain the distinctive red-based bill, which is the key field mark for identifying females.
They show a white stripe behind the eye and grayish cheeks, giving them a masked appearance. The tail is square-tipped with white corners on the outer feathers. Females can be confused with female White-eared Hummingbirds, another Mexican species, but the bill color and facial pattern provide reliable distinctions.
These hummingbirds inhabit desert canyons, riparian woodlands, and mountain foothills in Mexico and the southwestern United States. They prefer areas with agaves, ocotillos, and desert wildflowers.
Their range rarely extends beyond southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico, making any appearance in Delaware truly exceptional. Most vagrant records in unexpected locations occur during late summer and fall, from August through November.
Broad-billed Hummingbirds are relatively docile compared to Rufous or Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, often allowing close approach. They produce distinctive vocalizations, including a chattering “jit-jit-jit” call. Their flight is direct and swift, with rapid wingbeats.
Given the extreme rarity of this species in Delaware, any potential sighting requires exceptional documentation, including photographs clearly showing the red bill and plumage details. Immediate consultation with regional hummingbird experts would be essential for verification.
10. Mexican (Green) Violetear
The Mexican Violetear (Colibri thalassinus), also known as the Green Violetear, is a Central American and Mexican hummingbird that has established a pattern of rare but regular vagrancy to the United States and Canada during summer months. While Delaware records are extremely rare, this species has been documented in several eastern states, making it a potential vagrant to watch for during the summer season.
Mexican Violetears are medium to large hummingbirds, measuring 4.3 to 4.7 inches long, noticeably larger than Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. Both sexes appear similar, showing overall metallic green plumage with distinctive violet-blue patches on the ear coverts (the “violetear” feature) and across the chest. The tail is broad and squared, showing a dark blue band near the tip. The bill is slightly decurved and entirely dark. In good light, the entire bird appears to shimmer with green and blue iridescence.
The violet ear patches are the most distinctive field mark and are visible even at moderate distances. These patches can appear dark or black in poor lighting but flash brilliant purple-blue when the light angle is favorable. The chest band is less obvious than the ear patches but provides additional confirmation. The overall large size and stocky build help distinguish Mexican Violetears from Ruby-throated Hummingbirds even when color details are difficult to see.
Key Insight: Unlike most vagrant hummingbirds that appear during fall migration, Mexican Violetears typically show up during summer months, from June through August. This unusual timing pattern makes them easier to identify since Ruby-throats are the only other hummingbirds expected during this period.
These hummingbirds inhabit mountain forests and edges in their normal range, typically at elevations between 6,000 and 11,000 feet. They’re highly vocal, producing loud, repetitive song sequences that sound like “tsew-tsew-tsew-tsew,” quite different from the vocalizations of other hummingbirds.
This distinctive vocalization can help alert observers to their presence. According to comprehensive hummingbird records, vagrant Mexican Violetears often remain at single locations for extended periods, sometimes weeks, providing opportunities for multiple observers to confirm the sighting.
Mexican Violetears readily visit feeders and are moderately aggressive, often dominating feeding territories. They show a preference for red and orange flowers but will feed from various nectar sources. Their vagrant pattern to the United States is not fully understood, but most records occur from late May through August, well within the Ruby-throated Hummingbird breeding season.
Any Delaware sighting during this period would be exceptional and should be immediately documented and reported. The pattern of summer vagrancy is similar to observations in North Carolina and other mid-Atlantic states, where Mexican Violetears have been documented multiple times.
If you’re fortunate enough to spot a hummingbird in Delaware that appears larger than a Ruby-throat with obvious violet patches on the sides of the head, you may have found one of these remarkable vagrants.
Photographs from multiple angles, recordings of any vocalizations, and detailed field notes on size, plumage, and behavior are essential for documenting such a significant sighting. Maintaining your feeders throughout the summer and regularly checking for unusual visitors increases your chances of detecting rare species like the Mexican Violetear.
