Hummingbirds are migratory birds, and therefore during their migration season, various species of hummingbirds can be seen in different places. So in this article, let us have a look at the Hummingbird species that are found in Michigan, when can we put our feeders up for them and how you can attract them to your backyard or balcony.
Which species of Hummingbirds are found in Michigan?
Ruby-throated hummingbirds being the native birds, are the most common species seen in Michigan throughout the year. They can be seen there in the summer season, and then in winter, they migrate to other warm places. Some other hummingbird species found here during the migration season are the Rufous Hummingbird, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Violet-ear Hummingbird and White-ear Hummingbird. Some of these hummingbird species fly to warmer places in Central America like Mexico, but some would like to spend their winter along the Gulf coast in Florida, Texas and Louisiana.
When to put out hummingbird feeders in Michigan?
Hummingbirds might arrive in Michigan at the start of May. Therefore you can hang your feeder in the balcony or yard from the mid of April to welcome the early migrating hummingbirds. In fact, hummingbirds remember the places or yards where they get good nectar. Therefore putting the feeder early can make the hummingbird come to your place again on their next visit.
Let us look at which Hummingbirds species are found in Michigan.
1. Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds
Some of the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird species are native birds of Michigan, but the migrating birds of this species arrive in the first week of May. You may notice that the male hummingbirds arrive first, and then after a few days, you can observe the female and the young hummingbirds. The males usually arrive first to establish their feeding territory. These Hummingbirds are seen leaving the place by the end of September.
2. Rufous Hummingbirds
These species are casual visitors to Michigan. Similar to the Ruby-throated hummingbirds, these Rufous Hummingbirds also arrive in early May to search for the feeding territories. The male Rufous Hummingbirds are seen leaving this place by the end of September, and then later, the female hummingbirds and their young ones leave.
3. Anna’s Hummingbirds
These species of Hummingbirds are even more rare to see than the Rufous Hummingbirds in Michigan. But they are observed travelling this place very few times throughout the year as they are the natives of the Pacific Coast and therefore are found there throughout the year.
4. Broad-billed Hummingbirds
These hummingbird species are seen very rarely in Michigan. They mostly arrive here between July and December. As they are not the migratory birds of this region, you can surprisingly see them once in a blue moon in your yard or balcony.
Tip:
You can make a sweet nectar drink for them so that they can enjoy it after a long migration journey. Mix the granulated sugar in water and stir it till it is completely dissolved. Make sure that you take the ratio of 1:4 for the mixture and fill only 1/3 of the feeder as per its capacity. Also, don’t forget to maintain the cleanliness around the feeder.
By when do the Hummingbirds leave Michigan?
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, who are the natives here, leave Michigan by the end of August or early September. It is the time when the hummers are most actively feeding on the nectar to get energy for the long migration. They migrate to warmer Mexican and Central American places during the cold season. Some migrating hummingbirds are also observed stopping at the Gulf Coast of US, Florida, Texas and Louisiana. Males usually leave the place earlier, and then the female and juvenile hummingbirds leave after a few days.
How long does it take for a Michigan Hummingbird to migrate to other warm places?
It takes around 65 hours for the Michigan Hummingbirds to migrate from Michigan to the Mexican border, which is around 2000 miles far. The average speed of these tiny birds while travelling such a large distance is 30 mph. Sometimes these birds fly fewer distances like they may travel only 1 hr in a day. While sometimes, they travel only 500 miles in 20 hours when migrating across the Gulf of Mexico.
When to take down the hummingbird feeders?
Most of the hummingbirds leave Michigan in September month. But there might be some hummingbirds who leave the place bit late. Therefore you can keep the feeders until the first week of October to feed such late migrating birds. The feeder will help them fill the energy required to migrate to different places. But then its up to you if you want to keep it hanged after the season or not.
Where do the Michigan Hummingbirds go in the winter season?
During the winter season, Michigan Hummingbirds travel in the South towards Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama, and Nicaragua.
Hummingbirds have a very sharp memory, and therefore they can remember each flower or feeder from which they have consumed the nectar. During the migration journey, there are chances that they might visit these sites year after year in search of nectar. Therefore if you want to attract hummingbirds to your balcony or yard, then don’t forget to hang the feeders few days before the winter season starts.
How do you attract Hummingbirds in Michigan?
Michigan Hummingbirds are attracted more to the flowers and hummingbirds usually like red. You can keep red flowers and red feeders as much as possible. You can plant their favorite plants like Petunias, Fuchsias, Impatiens, Begonias, Honeysuckle, Geraniums, and Butterfly bushes. Therefore you can grow these plants in your backyard to attract these migrating Hummingbirds. These tiny birds are attracted more to the blooming flowers spread everywhere in the yard.
Conclusion
Michigan is a place where only a few species of Hummingbirds can be seen migrating here during the season. But, if you are a bird lover and would like to attract the Hummingbirds to your balcony, then I hope this article might be interesting for you.
If you know any other ways of attracting the Hummingbirds in Michigan, then let the other readers know in the comment section below.
