Hummingbirds in Michigan - Ask Extension
Hello,
How, when, and what type of hummers can I attract in SE Michigan? - Thank you
Knowledgebase
Hummingbirds in Michigan #820761
Asked February 20, 2023, 3:45 PM EST
Hello,
How, when, and what type of hummers can I attract in SE Michigan? - Thank you
Wayne County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello!
This ones not too difficult to answer, as we only have one regularly occuring species of hummingbird in Michigan. That species is the Ruby Throated Humingbird. You can learn more about the species here:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ruby-throated_Hummingbird/overview
They typically arrive in Southern Michigan around Mid May and depart around Mid September (they are migratory and not here year round).
You can attract them with a well cared for hummingbird feeder filled with a simple sugar/water solution. A few key points;
1) Only use table sugar boiled in water at a ratio of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water (example: 1 cup of sugar, mixed into 4 cups of boiling water, or 1/4 cup sugar ixed into 1 cup of boiling water). Only use white table sugar. DO NOT use raw sugars, honey, or other sweeteners as these will harm the birds. Red dyes are also not needed and may harm the birds as well
2) Chang out your nectar regularly. DO not leave it in the feeder for more then a few days to a week (depending on temperature). It can get moldy and kill the birds.
3) You can also plant native flowers to attract hummingbirds. These are even better then feeders although they may not bloom during the full season.
You can learn more about setting up and feeding hummers here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/feeding-hummingbirds/?pid=1181#
This ones not too difficult to answer, as we only have one regularly occuring species of hummingbird in Michigan. That species is the Ruby Throated Humingbird. You can learn more about the species here:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ruby-throated_Hummingbird/overview
They typically arrive in Southern Michigan around Mid May and depart around Mid September (they are migratory and not here year round).
You can attract them with a well cared for hummingbird feeder filled with a simple sugar/water solution. A few key points;
1) Only use table sugar boiled in water at a ratio of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water (example: 1 cup of sugar, mixed into 4 cups of boiling water, or 1/4 cup sugar ixed into 1 cup of boiling water). Only use white table sugar. DO NOT use raw sugars, honey, or other sweeteners as these will harm the birds. Red dyes are also not needed and may harm the birds as well
2) Chang out your nectar regularly. DO not leave it in the feeder for more then a few days to a week (depending on temperature). It can get moldy and kill the birds.
3) You can also plant native flowers to attract hummingbirds. These are even better then feeders although they may not bloom during the full season.
You can learn more about setting up and feeding hummers here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/feeding-hummingbirds/?pid=1181#
