Hummingbirds in Delaware (Pictures and Facts)

In the United States, birdwatching is so popular it could almost be considered a national hobby. With 1,107 bird species to be found around America, the hobby of finding and identifying birds isn’t one that will ever get boring. 

In the state of Delaware alone, there are an amazing 427 bird species, and that’s just one state! It makes sense that Delaware has so many different birds since there are varying ecosystems throughout the state, but have you ever wondered if Delaware is also a state that attracts the tiny forces of nature, better known as a hummingbird? Can you spot hummingbirds in Delaware?

Yes, Delaware is home to four different types of hummingbirds. Hummingbirds in Delaware include the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, the Rufous Hummingbird, the Calliope Hummingbird, and Allen’s Hummingbird. 

Of these four hummingbirds, only two are native to Delaware, while the other two are rare visitors that are even more exciting to see than the others. Let’s dive into beautiful Delaware and its four types of hummingbirds. 

Hummingbirds in Delaware 

Since there are only four types of hummingbirds that can be seen in Delaware, it’s helpful to learn about each of them before you try your hand at identifying these minuscule flyers. 

Below, we’ll share the size, diet, and where to spot each unique hummingbird. We’ll also review additional facts and tips about the birds so you know exactly what to look for next time you have a visitor at your hummingbird feeder. 

Native Hummingbirds In Delaware

Ruby-throated Hummingbird 

Once April rolls around in Delaware, it’s time to keep an eye out for the adorable, adaptable Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Since the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most common type of hummingbird in the Eastern United States, it’s one of the easiest to spot in Delaware and will happily come to feed on hanging hummingbird feeders.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds of both genders are a sparkling green in color, with the females of the species having a white belly and throat and the males sporting the remarkable ruby-red throat that gives this bird its name.

Even though the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is one of two native hummingbirds in Delaware, it’s probably going to be the one you see the most often. But that doesn’t mean you should take this gorgeous bird for granted! They stay in the United States from April until September when they fly back to Mexico to avoid the cold winter months. 

Amazingly, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird can make the entire flight back to Mexico in one single trip, which is pretty impressive for such a small bird!

Rufous Hummingbird

Sometimes, big things can come in small packages, and the temper of the Rufous Hummingbird is undoubtedly one of those things. For a bird that can be around three inches in length, the Rufous Hummingbird is ridiculously fearless and is happy to run off other hummingbirds in the blink of an eye. 

The Rufous Hummingbird, which is the second hummingbird native to Delaware, is burnt orange in color (males) or a paler gray or greenish-brown color (females). The males of the species have a scarlet throat. 

As fun as these small birds are to observe, it’s getting harder and harder every year to see them. The Rufous Hummingbird is now considered a Nearly Threatened species, and in recent years its population has been dropping steadily. 

Non-native Hummingbirds in Delaware 

Calliope Hummingbird

Did you know that North America’s smallest bird, the Calliope Hummingbird, is one that can be seen in Delaware on rare occasions? (It weighs about 1/10 of an ounce, as much as a ping pong ball!) The Calliope Hummingbird might be tiny in size, but the length of their migration leaves no questions about how capable they really are. 

Calliope Hummingbirds make quite the trek to enter the United States. They spend the cold winters in Central America, but during the spring and summer, they make the journey north to the Western United States in North America, and sometimes even Canada!

The female Calliope Hummingbird is green and gray in color, while the male is a brighter, more metallic green with a pale stomach and unique magenta stripes, or “rays” of feathers on the throat. 

They have only been spotted in Delaware a handful of times, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be next! The Calliope Hummingbird loves large, colorful blooms, unlike other species that prefer smaller, more fluted flowers, so if you’re craving a sighting of this hard-to-find hummingbird, consider planting some colorful flowers to attract them. 

Allen’s Hummingbird

If you want excessively rare hummingbirds in Delaware, then Allen’s Hummingbird is the bird you’re looking for. Unlike other rare species that have been seen a handful of times in this small eastern state, Allen’s Hummingbird has been seen only once!

It’s easy to see why Allen’s Hummingbird is often confused for the Rufous Hummingbird since both are rusty in color. Allen’s Hummingbird males have an orange neck and a metallic emerald back. Females of the species are duller, having a pale, spotted throat, rust-colored sides, and a dull green back.

As we said, in Delaware, Allen’s Hummingbird is the rarest of the rare. As of the publication date of this post, it has been spotted only a single time in the state.

Since Delaware is one of the eastern-most states, this isn’t surprising, and while it’s still rare in other eastern areas, it’s definitely seen more often than just a single time. There have been multiple sightings of them in Philadelphia and New Jersey, so seeing one in Delaware isn’t entirely impossible.

Final Thoughts: Hummingbirds in Delaware

While it’s not the most likely place to see a wide variety of hummingbird species, Delaware, on the east coast of the United States, does have a few species that have been spotted on occasion.

If you’re a birdwatcher or just enjoy seeing these tiny creatures up close, keep your eyes peeled and your bright flowers blooming. You can also attract hummingbirds to your backyard by hanging a hummingbird feeder filled with sugar water. You’ll be doing your part in helping these tiny birds thrive in Delaware!