Hummingbirds are abundant in North Carolina, arriving as seasonal visitors. These tiny, high-energy birds make a migratory journey each year to spend the warmer months. The vast majority are a single, familiar species, but the state also sees a variety of less common guests.
The Primary North Carolina Species and Seasonal Timing
The most common hummingbird observed across North Carolina is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris), which is the only species that regularly breeds in the eastern United States. These birds begin arriving in the state in the spring, with the earliest sightings often recorded by late March. Their numbers become prevalent by mid-April, signaling the start of the breeding season.
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird utilizes a variety of habitats for breeding, including deciduous and mixed forests, woodland edges, and suburban areas. They are commonly found at lower and middle elevations, generally below 4,500 feet. Males typically initiate their southward migration first, beginning in late August, with females and juveniles following about one to two weeks later. Most of the population has moved through North Carolina by early to mid-October as they head toward their wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America.
Rare and Accidental Hummingbird Visitors
While the Ruby-throated Hummingbird dominates summer sightings, North Carolina hosts a variety of other species, particularly during the cooler months. These are known as “vagrant” hummingbirds, often western species that have flown off their expected migratory course. They are most frequently observed between October and March, often overwintering by taking advantage of human-provided food sources.
The Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus), native to the western United States, is the most frequently encountered of these rare visitors. Other species occasionally documented include the Black-chinned Hummingbird, the Calliope Hummingbird, and the Allen’s Hummingbird. These sightings are significant enough that the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences runs a project to track and band these vagrants.
Methods for Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Property
Attracting these winged visitors requires providing two main resources: a clean, consistent food source and appropriate nectar-producing plants. Hummingbird feeders should be filled with a simple sugar-water mixture composed of four parts water to one part pure white cane sugar. It is important to avoid adding red dye to the solution, as this is unnecessary and potentially harmful to the birds.
Feeder cleanliness is paramount, as fermented nectar or mold can sicken the birds. The sugar solution should be changed and the feeder thoroughly cleaned every two to three days during hot summer weather, or at least once a week when temperatures are cooler. Cleaning involves disassembling the feeder and scrubbing all parts with hot water, avoiding soap or detergent. A vinegar-water solution can be used to break down residue.
Planting native, nectar-rich flowers is a highly effective strategy to draw in hummingbirds. They are especially attracted to long, tubular flowers, which are perfectly shaped for their specialized beaks. Excellent native choices for North Carolina include Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), which blooms early, and Bee Balm (Monarda), which provides late-season nectar. Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans) is a favorite, producing orange-red flowers from June through October.