Hummingbirds Found in New Hampshire: (Pictures and Sounds)
This article identifies and describes New Hampshire hummingbirds, where in New Hampshire they are seen, and whether they are year-round, seasonal, or rare vagrant residents.
Which species of New Hampshire hummingbirds are found in the state?
Ruby-throated, Rufous, Calliope, and Anna’s hummingbirds are the 4 species documented as seen in New Hampshire listed in order of frequency seen.
Sighting Maps:
These 4 species of hummingbirds are documented as being seen in New Hampshire by sighting maps, listed in the order of frequently seen:
- Ruby-throated (Archilochus colubris)
- Rufous (Selasphorus rufus)
- Calliope (Selasphorus calliope)
- Anna’s (Calypte anna)
These 4 hummingbird species found in New Hampshire are further classified into three groups:
Year-round residents, Seasonal visitors, and Rare/Vagrant visitors.
| Hummingbird: | Year-Round, Seasonal, Rare/Vagrant |
| Ruby-throated | Seasonal |
| Rufous | Rare/Vagrant |
| Calliope | Rare/Vagrant |
| Anna’s | Rare/Vagrant |
For more information on New Hampshire hummingbirds:
Read my article:
Hummingbird Migration in New Hampshire
Read on to find out more about each of these hummingbird species as well as where and when they can be found in New Hampshire.
Year-Round New Hampshire Hummingbirds:
There are no hummingbirds classified as year-round residents in New Hampshire.
This hummingbird classification is defined as hummingbirds that are year-round residents residing in New Hampshire 365 days a year and do not migrate.
New Hampshire winters are cold and harsh for hummingbirds to survive year-round, therefore they migrate south for the winter.
However, some old or injured hummingbirds that cannot migrate choose to overwinter in New Hampshire even though it is rare.
Contrary to popular belief, hummingbirds can withstand far lower temperatures than most people would expect.
Some banded hummingbirds have been observed at temperatures as low as -9 degrees Fahrenheit with a wind chill of -36 degrees Fahrenheit, according to eBird.org.
See my article:
3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded
Seasonal New Hampshire Hummingbirds:
The Ruby-throated hummingbird is the only classified seasonal New Hampshire hummingbird.
Hummingbirds that fit within this category are those that temporality pass through New Hampshire as part of their migratory pattern during spring and fall migration.
Hummingbirds move south to spend the winter in Mexico and Central America in the fall, after migrating north in the spring to reproduce.
Some seasonal hummingbirds will remain in New Hampshire for the entire winter by choice, injury, or old age, although rare.
Read on to find out more about each of these hummingbird species as well as where and when they can be found in New Hampshire.
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD – (Archilochus colubris)
Conservation Status: Least concerned
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Archilochus
Species: A. colubris
Ruby-throated hummingbirds main residence is mostly in the Midwest and on the east coast of the United States, therefore they are the most commonly seen in New Hampshire.
The Ruby-throated hummingbird is the only species that breeds and nests in New Hampshire.
Sightings map documents the Ruby-throated hummingbird is seen in every area of New Hampshire.
For more pictures and information on Ruby-throated hummingbirds.
Photo by: Paula Leftwich
Rare/Vagrant Hummingbirds In New Hampshire:
Rufous, Calliope, and Anna’s hummingbirds are the 3 New Hampshire hummingbirds classified as rare or vagrant listed in order of frequency seen.
This hummingbird classification is defined as hummingbirds residing in a group outside of their normal geographic range.
Not only do these species of hummingbirds have a wide variety of specific geographic ranges, but they are also known to sometimes interbreed with each other creating hybrids.
Read on to find out more about each of these hummingbird species as well as where and when they can be found in New Hampshire.
RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD – (Selasphorus rufus)
Conservation Status: Near threatened
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Selasphorus
Species: S. rufous
Rufous hummingbirds are located in western North America and are a migrating species. They breed in the north from southern Alaska and most travel all the way south to winter in Mexico.
They are an extremely rare visitor to New Hampshire since they are seen mainly in the Western United States.
They are the second most commonly seen hummingbird in New Hampshire, behind the Ruby-throated hummingbird, even though there is a vast difference in sighting numbers between the two species.
Sightings map show the Rufous hummingbirds have documented sightings in the center and south east quarter of New Hampshire.
For more pictures and information on Rufous hummingbirds.
Photo by: Kevin Walsh
CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD – (Selasphorus calliope)
Conservation Status: Least concerned
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Selasphorus
Species: S. calliope
Calliope hummingbirds are located in western North America and are a migrating species.
They breed in the north from southern Alaska and most travel all the way south to winter in Mexico, therefore making them extremely rare visitors to New Hampshire.
Sightings map shows Calliope hummingbirds have rare documented New Hampshire sightings in Concord, Manchester, and Nashua.
For more pictures and information on Calliope hummingbirds.
Photo by: sony_alpha_male
ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD – (Calypte anna)
Conservation Status: Least concerned
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Calypte
Species: C. anna
The Anna’s hummingbirds are year-round residents to Washington, Oregon and California in the Western United States. They live along the western coastline of North America, starting from southern Canada all the way to northern Baja California.
They are an extremely rare accidental visitor to New Hampshire since they are seen mainly in the Western United States.
Sightings map show Anna’s hummingbirds have only one documented sighting in New London, New Hampshire.
For more pictures and information on Anna’s hummingbirds.
Photo by: Kevin Walsh
Keep your eyes peeled, observe and enjoy the multiple types of hummingbirds found in New Hampshire!
See my article:
Hummingbird Migration in New Hampshire
Happy Hummingbird Watching!
Check out my other posts on Hummingbird Questions
