Hobbies And Interests
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)
The most common hummingbird species found in the northeastern U.S. is the ruby-throated hummingbird. Deeply inquisitive, bird feeders easily capture the attention of ruby-throats. Males display belligerent territoriality toward other birds, including hummingbirds. The ruby-throats are easily accustomed to people. The adult male has an emerald green back, iridescent ruby red throat and a forked tail with no white. The adult female has an emerald green back, white breast and throat and a rounded tail with white tips. The female is larger than the male and has a longer bill. The ruby-throat is found in all northeastern states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus)
Often said to be feisty, the rufous out flies all other species and gets to the feeder faster than others who do not maneuver as well. The rufous female is larger, averaging about 3.14 g, while the male weighs in at about 3.22 g. The male has reddish-brown crown, tail and sides with back colors of reddish-brown, green or a combination of the two colors, orange-red throat and white breast. The female has green back and crown, white breast, streaked throat, reddish-brown sides and white tips on the outer tail feathers. The rufous inhabits Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Calliope Hummingbird (Stelulla calliope)
The calliope prefers to nest near creeks, streams and lakes in the high mountains. It will fix an old nest or create a new nest on top of the old one. Both male and female have green backs and crowns, but the male has a throat streaked with red and white. The female's throat is a dull white color, with white or pale cinnamon-brown chest and belly and white tipped tail feathers. The calliope has been observed in Connecticut and New York.
Allen's Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin)
The Allen's hummingbird resembles the more populous rufous hummingbird. The male's throat is an iridescent coppery-scarlet with long feathers that project to the sides. The male's head and back are dull metallic bronze with green and cinnamon color sides of face and chest. The tail feathers are pointed, and orange with darker color tips. Females have a reddish-brown back and sides, white breast and throat with some red spots and a rounded tail with white tips. The Allen's hummingbird has been observed in Massachusetts.