New Jersey
Hummingbirds are on their way! Check number of sightings in NJ on this interactive map
Dance of the Sandy Neck hummingbird
Eavesdropping on a ruby throat-ed hummingbird getting a morning fill up at a feeder on Sandy Neck in Barnstable
Steve Heaslip, Cape Cod Times
Hummingbird migration is in full swing! Coming in at only a few inches long with their tiny fluttering wings and long narrow beak, the hummingbirds are swiftly making their way north from Central America and Mexico where they spend their winters.
Although they are tiny, some species of hummingbirds can travel up to 5,000 miles in a year and they visit hundreds of flowers each day, according to the American Bird Conservancy. New Jersey’s most commonly spotted hummingbird, the ruby-throated hummingbird, makes the 500-mile journey across the Gulf of Mexico in less than a day.
According to the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, hummingbirds leave their wintering grounds in early spring and are expected to arrive around mid-April to find new territories for the breeding season.
As these tiny birds embark on their great journey north and shortly begin to arrive in New Jersey you can keep track of their migration pattern using an interactive map from USA TODAY. This map compiles bird sighting data from Project FeederWatch to outline hummingbird migration patterns.
According to the map, during April New Jersey has had 146 sightings of the ruby-throated hummingbird, most of which were in central and South Jersey. In North Jersey there have been nine sightings in Morris County and one sighting each in Bergen County, Passaic County, and Warren County so far this month.
Other species of hummingbird that can be spotted in New Jersey include:
- Rufous hummingbird
- Black-chinned hummingbird
- Calliope hummingbird
- Allen’s hummingbird
- Broat-tailed hummingbird
- Mexican violetear
According to the map, these species have not yet been spotted in New Jersey during April.
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Ruby-throated hummingbird
The ruby-throated hummingbird is the hummingbird species that you are most likely to spot in New Jersey. According to New Jersey Fish and Wildlife, the ruby-throated hummingbird is the most commonly seen hummingbird in North America seen east of the Mississippi River.
The ruby-throated hummingbird is between 3 and 3.5 inches long. The are the smallest migrating birds. Their wings can beat more than 50 times in a second, so fast that it creates a humming sound.
If you are trying to spot one, look for a metallic green color on top with whitish-gray underparts and wings that are almost black. They have long narrow beaks that they use to sip nectar from flowers.
Males have a ruby red patch on their throat with a black upper rim. Their tail is forked and black with a slight violet sheen.
Females have notched tails with green, black, and white edges. A female ruby-throated hummingbird will have a white throat, not a red one, with potential streaks of gray.
Their nests are tiny and can be found on downward sloping branches. They typically build nests between 10 and 40 feet above the ground, according to the Rutgers NJ Agricultural Experiment Station.
Males perform a courtship display which includes diving down from 50 feet above the female in a U-shaped flight pattern with short horizontal flights directly in front of the female. If she accepts, they will perform flights together before mating. A female will typically lay two or three eggs.
Between late July and early September, they will leave the breeding grounds to migrate south again, starting the whole process over.
Feeding hummingbirds
If you are interested in helping hummingbirds as they finish their journey and settle down in our state for mating season you can put out feeders and plant flowers.
“While native flowering plants are the best source of nectar for hummingbirds, supplementing with a well-tended sugar-water feeder can provide additional sustenance during nesting season and migration,” says the National Audobon Society.
Here are some tips for feeding hummingbirds from the Audobon’s hummingbird feeding FAQs.
- The best solution for your feeder is a 1:4 solution of refined white sugar to tap water. This equals 1/4 cup of sugar to one cup of water. Bring the solution to a boil, let it cool, then fill the feeder.
- The feeder should be emptied and cleaned often. Twice per week in hot weather and once per week in cooler weather. Clean with hot tap water or a weak vinegar solution. Avoid using dish soap.
- While hummingbirds are attracted to red-colored things, do not put red coloring into the nectar solution. The reddening chemicals could be harmful to the birds.
- The best time to put out your feeder is about a week before hummingbirds usually arrive in your yard. They can be left out for as long as you have hummingbirds around. Just make sure to consistently follow the guidelines for keeping the feeders clean.
- Planting red or orange tubular flowers can attract hummingbirds and help them discover your feeder.
Due to the presence of sugar water in hummingbird feeders it is crucial to keep them clean. Spoiled sugar water can lead to mold, fermentation, and bacteria growth which will not only deter birds from coming back but could also cause digestive and other health problems for the birds. It can also attract unwanted critters such as insects.
Is there anything better than going out for breakfast? I mean, sure, you can make bacon, eggs, and toast at home, but there’s just something relaxing about going out to a Jersey Diner and getting your coffee in a plain white mug, looking over a massive menu, and feeling the back of your legs stick to the pleather booth.
Jersey loves a good breakfast spot.
A New Breakfast Chain Is Coming To NJ, With 2 Locations Planned
And there’s a new breakfast chain getting ready to open two locations in New Jersey that promise an elevated breakfast experience, which could be perfect for your next brunch.
And this new elevated breakfast concept is being run by a mother-son duo, who don’t love seeing that?
The Maple House Is Coming Soon To New Jersey
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According to NJ.com, Monmouth County natives Anthony DeGrande and his mother, Lisa Dalton, are the brains behind Monmouth County’s newest breakfast place, The Maple House.
The Maple House will specialize in an elevated breakfast experience, whipping up menu items such as cookie butter pancakes, a braised short rib melt, and addictive salads. The Maple House will be a great new addition to the New Jersey breakfast scene.
The Maple House Is Planning 2 NJ Locations
The Maple House already has big expansion plans, too. The first location is getting ready to open sometime in May off Oceanport Avenue in Fort Monmouth, but there are already plans in place for a second location.
The Maple House also plans on debuting in Neptune, off of South Main Street, in the near future as well.
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PATERSON, New Jersey (WABC) — One person was killed and three others were injured in a shooting in Paterson.
The violence erupted around 6:30 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of East 29th Street and 10th Avenue.
Children nearby gasped in horror at the sound of rapid gunfire. They were just about to sing Happy Birthday to their 13-year-old friend at her backyard party, but instead of blowing out the candles, they ducked for cover when they heard gunshots in the distance.
“Just hearing it – it was scary to witness, to hear. Especially on my birthday. Like a time I’m trying to play with my friends, get together,” said the 13-year-old.
She also says she had a friend who was there who saw what happened.
“He was going to the bodega – he went running back, but he had saw two people come out of a car and then shoot, but it was like an automatic gun,” she added.
Bystanders watched in shock and panic as first responders treated the victims. One of them was lying in the street next to a car and another was on the ground next to a bicycle.
Local councilman Luis Velez says the City of Paterson has taken measures to reduce crime in this part of town – what he calls a ‘hotspot’ — in part by installing security cameras. He is encouraging the community to cooperate.
“Paterson Police is doing their job as I know, they’re doing a great job to reduce crime, but one again we, the police, nobody, not even the news media has a crystal ball to say this is going to happen now,” Velez said, “Some people see corners getting built up, they see activities and they’re afraid to come out and say something, but our police department is trained to keep it confidential and approach to bring the quality of life in this area.”
The 13-year-old hopes her next birthday party is not ruined by the sound of gunshots.
“First we thought it was fireworks, but then we heard sirens and everyone started going home because they were scared,” she added.
Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Let’s be honest, we didn’t need a national list to tell us this. New Jersey has the best restaurants, the best food, and some of the most talented chefs anywhere in America.
It’s something locals have been saying forever, and now the rest of the country is catching up. Still, it’s always nice to see that recognition on a big stage.
We Already Knew New Jersey Was the Best
USA TODAY’s 2026 Restaurants of the Year list highlights standout dining destinations across the country.
From humble roadside gems to chef-driven hotspots earning major buzz, the list celebrates places that truly stand out, and New Jersey showed up in a big way.
Three New Jersey Spots Earn National Recognition
This year, three Garden State restaurants made the prestigious list:
- The Pasta Shop – Denville
- Ram & Rooster – Metuchen
- Anjelica’s – Sea Bright
And yes, that includes a Jersey Shore favorite, because of course it does.
These restaurants represent everything people love about dining in New Jersey, quality, creativity, and flavors that keep you coming back.
A Jersey Shore Standout Shines
There’s something special about seeing a Jersey Shore restaurant included among the best in America. It’s not just about great food, it’s about the full experience, the atmosphere, and that unmistakable local charm.
Anjelica’s in Sea Bright earning a spot only reinforces what shore locals already know: some of the best meals you’ll ever have are right here, close to home.
No Surprise, Just Well-Deserved
At the end of the day, this recognition feels less like a surprise and more like confirmation. New Jersey’s food scene has always been top-tier, and lists like this just make it official.
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So whether you’re heading to Denville, Metuchen, or down the shore, you already know, you’re in for something special.
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From Babybels to Toblerone chocolate, take a nostalgic bite out of these ‘fancy’ childhood foods that made us feel way more elegant than we really were.
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