Yes, there are hummingbirds found in southern Delaware. The most common hummingbird species seen in the state is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are found across Eastern North America and migrate through Delaware each spring and fall as they travel between their wintering grounds in Central America and their breeding grounds farther north.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is the most widespread and commonly observed hummingbird in Delaware. They are bright green on the back and white underneath, with the adult males having a distinctive ruby red throat. Ruby-throats arrive in Delaware in early April as they migrate north to their breeding grounds. They can be found visiting backyard feeders, flower gardens, and wooded areas throughout the state during spring and summer. Most Ruby-throats leave Delaware by early October to migrate south again for the winter.
Hummingbird Habitat in Southern Delaware
Southern Delaware provides excellent habitat for Ruby-throated Hummingbirds due to its diversity of flowering plants and availability of food sources. Hummingbirds rely on nectar as their main food source and are drawn to tubular flowers, including:
- Native wildflowers like bee balm, trumpet vine, and columbine
- Ornamental garden flowers like petunias, zinnias, and nasturtiums
- Flowering trees and shrubs like mimosa, crape myrtle, and butterfly bush
- Backyard hummingbird feeders stocked with homemade nectar mix
In addition to flowers, Ruby-throats will visit sap wells drilled by Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers and hawk for small insects to obtain proteins. They prefer open areas like meadows, parks, and backyards that provide food sources and trees in which to nest and perch.
Key Areas to See Hummingbirds in Southern Delaware
Some top spots in southern Delaware to observe hummingbirds include:
- Cape Henlopen State Park – This park at the tip of the Delaware coastline provides coastal thickets, pine woods, and flowering gardens frequented by hummingbirds.
- Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge – Freshwater wetlands here harbor flowering plants that attract hummingbirds.
- Delaware Seashore State Park – Dunes, maritime forest, and backdune ponds in this state park host hummingbird-friendly vegetation.
- Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge – Varied habitats from open fields to wetlands offer plentiful nectar sources for hummingbirds.
- Lewes Presbyterian Church Habitat Garden – This certified wildlife habitat garden provides nectar-rich flowers specially planted for hummingbirds.
Residential gardens, parks, and other greenspaces in southern Delaware towns and communities also provide habitat for hummingbirds, especially if they contain native plants and hummingbird feeders.
Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Yard
You can make your yard more attractive to hummingbirds in southern Delaware by providing their preferred habitat features and food sources:
- Plant a variety of tubular flowers in red, orange, pink, or purple hues which attract hummingbirds.
- Select both native and ornamental flowers that bloom through spring, summer, and fall to provide nectar continuously.
- Add a hummingbird feeder or two filled with a 4:1 ratio of water to white refined sugar solution.
- Situate feeders and flowering plants in open areas visible from windows or paths.
- Provide trees and shrubs for perching, shelter, and nest sites.
- Avoid using pesticides which can eliminate insect food sources.
- Consider installing a mister or dripline to provide drinking and bathing water.
- Be sure to change nectar every 2-3 days to keep it fresh.
Hummingbird Migration Through Delaware
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds pass through the entire state of Delaware as they migrate, though fewer travel along the immediate Atlantic coast. Key facts about their migration include:
- Spring migration occurs from mid-April to early June, peaking in mid-May.
- Fall migration happens between late July and early October, peaking in mid-August.
- Males precede females in spring and juveniles in fall.
- Hummingbirds stop to rest and refuel in Delaware for 1-2 weeks during migration.
- Preferred stopover habitats provide food and protection from predators.
- Weather fronts and wind patterns influence the timing and routes of migration.
Putting out feeders and planting flowers that bloom early spring through fall will support migrating hummingbirds as they pass through southern Delaware.
Threats and Conservation
Major threats to Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in Delaware include:
- Habitat loss from development or agriculture reducing food availability
- Climate change disrupting flowering cycles and migration timing
- Pesticides eliminating insect populations
- Outdoor cats preying on hummingbirds
- Collisions with buildings, towers, and vehicles
Conservation measures that help hummingbirds in Delaware include:
- Planting native flowers and maintaining natural areas
- Avoiding pesticide overuse in yards and parks
- Keeping cats indoors
- Reducing collisions by placing decals on windows
- Being involved in citizen science by reporting hummingbird sightings
Simple actions by homeowners like providing nectar feeders and pollinator-friendly plantings can support hummingbirds and other migratory birds that pass through southern Delaware each year.
Conclusion
Southern Delaware provides critical migratory habitat for Ruby-throated Hummingbirds each spring and fall. Suitable flowers, food sources, and stopover sites draw hummingbirds during migration, while backyard habitats help them refuel. Though they are small, hummingbirds play an important ecological role as pollinators. By understanding their habitat needs and implementing conservation practices, residents of southern Delaware can support hummingbird populations.