Rare Hummingbird in Wisconsin

The Green-breasted Mango hummingbird's natural range includes Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. In 2007, one wandered and appeared in Wisconsin.

A few species of hummingbird migrate north into North America to breed during the summer. Typically, they go east or west and then stay on that side of the continent. In fact the only species that usually spends its summers in eastern North America is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, a familiar sight at hummingbird feeders all the way up to southern Quebec. By October, most of them have headed south to spend the winter in warmer climates.

Sometimes, however, a hummingbird gets lost and goes the wrong way, which explains why a Green-breasted Mango hummingbird is still visiting feeders in Wisconsin in October. This species rarely migrates north of Mexico and has only been recorded previously in North Carolina and Texas. This bird should be far to the south: it is definitely lost.

The colorful Green-breasted Mango hummingbird is a delight to see, especially for those who are used to seeing only Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. The Green-breasted Mango is, as the name suggests, green, with a reddish purple tail. Females have a white breast with a dark central stripe. The bill is long and curves downward at the tip.

What will the lost hummingbird’s fate be? If it migrates south as the weather gets colder, it will probably be okay, but if its sense of place is so off that it doesn’t instinctively do that, it will surely perish. Wisconsin is no place for a hummingbird to spend the winter.

More about hummingbirds:

Hummingbirds are Migrating

Facts About Hummingbirds

New Hummingbird Species Discovered

Watch a video of a Black-chinned Hummingbird on Bird Cinema

Have you ever seen a rae species of hummingbird at your feeder? Start a discussion and tell us about it.