Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in New Jersey
When ruby-throated hummingbirds are present in New Jersey, when they nest, which native New Jersey plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 6a–7b yard.
- Status in New Jersey
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- May–August
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 6a–7b
When to expect ruby-throated hummingbirds in New Jersey
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are summer residents in New Jersey, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on nectar from tubular red and orange flowers; gnats, mosquitoes and small spiders.
Humid continental to subtropical, from the Highlands in the north to the Pine Barrens and Cape May.
Nesting in New Jersey
Across New Jersey, ruby-throated hummingbirds typically nest from May–August. Nest site: walnut-sized cup of plant down bound with spider silk, saddled on a downward-sloping branch. Females lay 1–3 eggs (usually 2), incubate for 12–14 days, and young leave the nest after 18–22 days.
Hot, humid summers; Cape May is a world-class migration funnel.
- Ruby-throated Hummingbirds don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as trumpet honeysuckle, trumpet creeper for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after August.
Native New Jersey plants that attract ruby-throated hummingbirds
Of the regional native plants we track for New Jersey, these 5 provide food or cover ruby-throated hummingbirds use:
Native red tubular flowers timed to hummingbird arrival.
Large orange trumpets through midsummer.
Scarlet late-summer spikes; a hummingbird magnet in moist soil.
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower.
Feeding ruby-throated hummingbirds through the New Jersey year
Change nectar every 2 days in hot weather (under 80°F, every 4–5 days) and clean the feeder each refill. Males defend feeders aggressively; several feeders out of sight of each other help.
- Best foods: Sugar water: 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water, no dye.
- Avoid: Honey, brown sugar, artificial sweeteners and red dye.
- In New Jersey's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Full diet breakdown for ruby-throated hummingbirds · Best feeder for ruby-throated hummingbirds
Frequently asked
Are ruby-throated hummingbirds in New Jersey year-round?
No. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are summer breeders in New Jersey and leave for the winter.
When do ruby-throated hummingbirds nest in New Jersey?
Nesting in New Jersey typically runs May–August, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 1–3 eggs (usually 2), incubated for 12–14 days.
What native plants attract ruby-throated hummingbirds in New Jersey?
Trumpet honeysuckle, Trumpet creeper, Cardinal flower, Wild bergamot, Fireweed are native plants in New Jersey that provide food or cover for ruby-throated hummingbirds.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in other regions
Other backyard birds in New Jersey
Sources
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — New Jersey
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.