Yes, there are several species of hummingbirds that can be found in the Upper Peninsula (U.P.) of Michigan during the spring, summer, and fall months. The most common hummingbird species spotted in the U.P. include the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, the Rufous Hummingbird, and the Calliope Hummingbird.
Hummingbirds are small, fast-moving birds that have the unique ability to hover in midair and fly backwards. They get their name from the audible hum created by their rapidly beating wings. Hummingbirds have specially adapted wings that allow them to flap their wings up to 70 times per second! This enables them to hover in place while feeding on the nectar from flowers.
What time of year can you see hummingbirds in the Upper Peninsula?
In the U.P., hummingbirds typically start arriving in May and stay through early fall before migrating south for the winter. Here is an overview of when the different hummingbird species can be spotted in the Upper Peninsula:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird – Begin arriving as early as late April and stay through October
- Rufous Hummingbird – Pass through during migrations in May and August-September
- Calliope Hummingbird – Migrate through in late summer between July and September
So the prime hummingbird viewing months in the U.P. are May through September. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only species that commonly breeds and nests in the Upper Peninsula. The Rufous and Calliope hummingbirds are just passing through on their migrations between their wintering and summer nesting grounds.
Where can you find hummingbirds in the U.P?
Here are some of the best places to spot hummingbirds in the Upper Peninsula:
- Backyard gardens – Hummingbirds are attracted to tubular flowers like bee balm, columbine, petunias, and trumpet vines.
- State and National Parks – Places like Tahquamenon Falls State Park and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
- Farm fields – The edges of fields with wildflowers often draw in hummingbirds.
- Meadows and woodland clearings – Open areas with wildflowers provide prime feeding habitat.
- Hummingbird feeders – Having nectar feeders in your yard or garden helps attract hummingbirds.
In particular, providing hummingbird feeders and planting flowers that hummingbirds are drawn to will help attract them to your backyard in the U.P. Make sure to have your feeders up by early May before the hummingbirds return.
What plants and flowers attract hummingbirds in the Upper Peninsula?
Here are some of the top flowers, plants, and trees that attract hummingbirds to gardens and landscapes in the Upper Peninsula:
| Flowers | Plants | Trees |
|---|---|---|
| Bee balm | Coral bells | Red buckeye |
| Columbine | Trumpet vine | Mimosa tree |
| Petunias | Salvia | Tulip tree |
| Gladiolus | Fuschia | Rhododendron |
As you can see, the most attractive flowers for hummingbirds tend to be tubular in shape and red, orange, pink, or purple in color. When planting a hummingbird garden, concentrate on having continuous blooms from May through September to provide a consistent nectar source.
Other plants that attract hummingbirds in the U.P.:
- Lupine
- Butterfly bush
- Canna lily
- Cardinal flower
- Impatiens
- Hosta
What is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird?
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most common and widely distributed hummingbird found east of the Great Plains in North America. Some key facts about this species:
- Males have an iridescent ruby red throat, giving the bird its name.
- They are the smallest breeding bird in North America, measuring just 3-4 inches long and weighing 2-6 grams.
- Ruby-throats beat their wings 12-80 times per second!
- They have the highest metabolism of any warm-blooded animal.
- Primarily eat nectar, but also eat insects for protein.
- Females build a small cup-shaped nest out of plant down and spider silk.
- Ruby-throats are solitary and territorial. Males will aggressively defend nectar sources and nest sites.
- They migrate 500-600 miles between their breeding range and winter grounds in Mexico and Central America.
In the Upper Peninsula, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds can be spotted in a diversity of habitats from May-October, though they are most numerous in July-August. Listen and watch for their distinct buzzing wing beats!
How many species of hummingbirds live in or migrate through the Upper Peninsula?
There are three species of hummingbirds that have been documented in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Rufous Hummingbird
- Calliope Hummingbird
Of these species, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are the only abundant summer breeding resident in the U.P. Rufous Hummingbirds and Calliope Hummingbirds pass through the Upper Peninsula in small numbers during their fall or spring migrations.
There is also one additional rare vagrant hummingbird species that has been spotted a couple times in the U.P. – the Anna’s Hummingbird. But reports of Anna’s Hummingbirds are very uncommon that far north and east of their normal range.
Abundance of hummingbird species in the Upper Peninsula:
| Species | Abundance |
|---|---|
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Common summer resident |
| Rufous Hummingbird | Uncommon spring and fall migrant |
| Calliope Hummingbird | Rare late summer migrant |
| Anna’s Hummingbird | Extremely rare vagrant |
So in summary, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the species you are most likely to see on a regular basis in the Upper Peninsula. But keep an eye out in spring and fall for those other rare hummingbird visitors passing through!
What do hummingbirds eat in the Upper Peninsula?
Hummingbirds get most of their nutrition and energy from drinking nectar. Their diet in the U.P. consists of:
- Nectar – Hummingbirds drink the nectar from tubular flowers using their specialized long, straw-like tongues.
- Sugar water – They feed on artificial nectar from backyard hummingbird feeders.
- Small insects and spiders – To obtain protein, hummingbirds eat small bugs including mosquitoes, fruit flies, aphids, and spiders.
- Tree sap – Hummingbirds will occasionally drink tree sap for an energy boost.
- Pollen – They ingest some pollen as they move from flower to flower feeding on nectar.
In cold climates like the Upper Peninsula, hummingbirds need a high-energy diet. If you want to attract hummingbirds to your yard, putting out nectar feeders and planting tubular flowers will provide them with their main food sources.
Some of the native plants hummingbirds get nectar from in the U.P.:
- Wild columbine
- Jewelweed
- Trumpet honeysuckle
- Bee balm
- Fireweed
- Cardinal flower
Are hummingbirds endangered in Michigan or the Upper Peninsula?
No currently hummingbird species are endangered in Michigan or the Upper Peninsula region. Here is the conservation status of the hummingbird species found in the U.P.:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird – Species of Least Concern on IUCN Red List
- Rufous Hummingbird – Species of Least Concern on IUCN Red List
- Calliope Hummingbird – Species of Least Concern on IUCN Red List
- Anna’s Hummingbird – Species of Least Concern on IUCN Red List
The abundant Ruby-throated Hummingbird has actually expanded its breeding range northward into Michigan and the Upper Peninsula over the last few decades as flowering plants have become more available through gardens and landscaping.
However, some conservationists are concerned about potential long-term threats to hummingbird populations including:
- Pesticide use reducing insect food sources
- Climate change disrupting flowering schedules
- Habitat loss of meadows and woodland edges
- Free-roaming cats preying on birds
But currently, hummingbird numbers are stable across Michigan and the Upper Peninsula region. Providing them with nectar sources through feeders and flower gardens can help maintain abundant hummingbird populations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, several species of hummingbirds can be found migrating through or breeding in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The most common is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird which nests across the U.P. during the summer months. Rufous and Calliope Hummingbirds pass through in small numbers during spring and fall migrations.
The best places to spot hummingbirds are in backyard gardens, meadows, parks, woodland clearings, and anywhere there are tubular flowers or nectar feeders available from May through September. Providing food sources for hummingbirds through landscaping and feeders can help attract these energetic, hovering birds to your yard in the U.P.
