Invasion of western hummingbirds

CHAPLIN, Conn. (WTNH) -- There is an invasion underway from the west as there have been been several reports of vagrant western hummingbird species in the Northeast this fall.

The sightings include two Rufous Hummingbirds in Connecticut (Chaplin and Ellington) as well as reports from several eastern states including Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, and even an Allen’s Hummingbird in Kentucky.

Until quite recently, it was thought that the only species of hummingbird that could be seen in the Northeast was the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, but in the last decade or so there have been more and more reports of Rufous, Allen’s and Calliope Hummingbirds in the East.

Any hummingbird seen after October 15th should be carefully examined, as it is more likely to be a rare western species than our familiar Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

There have been four species of hummingbirds documented in Connecticut, including Broad-billed, Ruby-throated, Calliope and Rufous Hummingbirds.

For more information, read the full article at WXedge.com