We've got some good news! When springtime rolls around here in New Jersey, that means many things, one of which is the arrival of migrating hummingbirds. That's right, it's time to break out your best hummingbird feeders and get ready. One way to have fun at home is by backyard birdwatching - and these birds will repay you with their pollinating skills, too! Spring in the Garden State brings woodpeckers, warblers, orioles, doves, cuckoos, swifts, plovers, flycatchers, shrikes, jays, and dozens of other birds. Perhaps no birds are more fun to watch, though, than the beautiful and delicate hummingbirds. So, when is the expected arrival time for hummingbirds in New Jersey? Let's discuss:

Early spring is all about hummingbirds!

By the time you're done reading, you'll be an (unofficial) New Jersey hummingbird expert. So the next time someone asks questions such as, "Are there hummingbirds in New Jersey?" you'll have all the answers!

There are more than 300 hummingbird species in the world, and they range from elusive and rare to common and easy to spot.

The different species have a wide variety of color patterns and plumages. It's a veritable rainbow of color when you look at all the different kinds of hummingbirds together.

The only species that breed in New Jersey is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

Their scientific name is "Archilochus Colubris" and males are easily recognizable by the ruby red feathers on their throats. These little guys are among the most common hummingbirds, and they're pretty easy to recognize. You'll spot other hummingbirds in New Jersey, but the red-throated variety is the only one that breeds here. The rest just stop by on their way to other destinations.

Females have a green back and a mix of black and white tail feathers. Both sexes are around 3-3.5 inches long when fully grown.

Hummingbirds are in fact one of the tiniest kinds of birds in the world. Between their small size and their quick movement, they're often hard to spot altogether. You'll have to plan carefully to make sure you get a peak this season.

Before the migration, hummingbirds will gain 25% to 40% of their body weight to provide energy for the journey. During the migration, a hummingbird's heart beats up to 1,260 times a minute and its wings flap 15 to 80 times a second.

It's a serious workout. The long journey from South America to North America doesn't seem so bad when you notice how fast these birds whip around.

Around mid-April, thousands of hummingbirds flock to the Garden State. They stay until September or early October, so you've got plenty of time to set up a feeder and draw them to your yard.

Increasingly, the migratory patterns of hummingbirds are changing. Because of the overall warmer weather, they're coming to North America much earlier than is typical. Some are even spending the winter here rather than migrating south.

The males tend to be the first to arrive, and they're also the first to leave.

Fine, guys, leave it to the ladies, then. Rude.

Hummingbirds like to eat bugs, honey, and nectar. Their favorite flowers and plants include columbines, lupines, and petunias!

Now that we've answered the question, "When will hummingbirds arrive in New Jersey," it's time to prepare! You can plant a pollinator-friendly garden with native plants to help draw them in or put up a feeder to encourage these guests.

If you'd like to attract hummingbirds to your home, you can make them special nectar to fill your feeders. Since there is a specific mix of sugar and water needed to keep them healthy, you'll want to follow the instructions provided by the National Audobon Society. For more information about these amazing birds at this time of year, check out Hummingbird Central.

Have you noticed all the hummingbirds in New Jersey during previous spring seasons? Will you put out a hummingbird feeder? In the comments, let us know about the hummingbirds that flit around your yard every year! Need a place to stay while you're witnessing the migration? Check out the possibilities from our friends at Hilton Hotels.

For more springtime fun in the Garden State, read about the best places to visit in New Jersey this spring.