Hummingbirds In North Carolina: 4 Types and the Plants to Attract Them

These mesmerizing birds are famous for their quick movements, tiny size, and bright colors. Because of their long bills and grooved tongues, hummingbirds are regular visitors to flower-filled gardens, where they drink sweet nectar. And who doesn’t love a beautiful space where hummingbirds, butterflies, and other nectar-drinking creatures can visit? Discover the four types of hummingbirds in North Carolina and learn about their locations, active months, and favorite plants. Let’s dive in!

What Months Are Hummingbirds Most Active in North Carolina?

Hummingbirds are long-distance migratory birds that can travel thousands of miles in one season, reaching the East Coast in spring and leaving in the fall. Spring is one of the best times to see hummingbirds in North Carolina as they make their way north for the breeding season. From mid-March to mid-April, you may notice these vibrant, hovering birds gracing your backyard and bird feeders as they rest and fuel up for the long journey. And some might even stay in the state to breed, allowing you a front-row seat to baby hummingbirds! 

If you want to keep these lovely birds on your property, provide sugar water in a hummingbird feeder or plant brightly colored tubular flowers, which are sure to gain their attention.

Plants in North Carolina That Attract Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are relatively easy to attract, but they do have a few requirements. They like sunny areas and bright colors. But these birds are especially attracted to the color red, which signals a high-octane fuel source they need for their extremely active lives. And finally, they prefer tubular-shaped flowers, as they tend to produce more nectar. 

In North Carolina, you should aim for planting as many native plants as you can because it helps sustain populations of local wildlife.

Here are some excellent options for North Carolina plants that attract hummingbirds.

• Beebalm
• Trumpet vine
• Columbine
• Jewelweed
• Wild bergamot
• Crested iris
• Blue lobelia
• Coral honeysuckle
• Rhododendron
• Wild azalea
• Mountain laurel
• Hawthorn
• Yellow buckeye
• Yellow poplar

Types of Hummingbirds in North Carolina

1. Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

The ruby-throated hummingbird is a common species in the eastern half of the United States. It is the hummingbird you are most likely to come across in North Carolina during spring and summer when it migrates for the breeding season. While some will continue their journey further north, others will stick around until early fall before heading back to Central America. 

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are vibrant green with ruby red throats, sending flashes of brilliant glitter from flower to flower. This species is common at nectar feeders and flower gardens, giving you an excellent reason to plant colorful tubular flowers.

2. Rufous Hummingbird

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are the only common species in the state. But occasionally, a few species, like the rufous hummingbird, find their way to North Carolina. Rufous hummingbirds are transient and fall and winter visitors. You are more likely to see them in the mountains during fall and in the Piedmont region during winter, and likely only at bird feeders. This species is very rare along the coastal plain.

While rufous hummingbirds breed in the Northwest, they have a migration route that occasionally takes some individuals to the Atlantic Coast. If you see a hummingbird in the mountains and Piedmont during the winter, it is most likely a rufous. Males are bright orange with red throats, while females are green with rufous-colored patches.

3. Black-Chinned Hummingbird

Like rufous hummingbirds, black-chinned hummingbirds are rare in North Carolina. This species spends springs and summers in the western half of the United States and winters in Mexico. But sometimes, they find their way to East Coast during the fall and winter, where they get by on still-hanging bird feeders. 

You can sometimes spot them in the northern half of the coastal plain, further inland. And you are more likely to find them in towns near nectar feeders. They are very rare in the Piedmont and almost nonexistent in the mountains. These birds are brown and green-backed with a small sliver of iridescent purple on their throats. 

4. Calliope Hummingbird

While the Calliope hummingbird breeds in the Northwest and winters in Mexico, they very rarely find their way to the Atlantic Coast. These tiny birds (the smallest in the United States) are known for their iridescent magenta rays on their throats.

Most sightings of the Calliope in North Carolina have been in the Piedmont region during winter, and essentially all at feeders in populated areas. You will most likely not find this species in the mountains or near the coast.