What hummingbirds are common in Michigan?

Hummingbirds are a fascinating and beautiful group of birds found throughout North America. Their small size, glittering plumage, and incredible flying abilities make them a joy to observe. Of the over 300 species of hummingbirds in the world, around 17 regularly breed in the United States and Canada. Michigan’s location in the upper Midwest means that it primarily sees migrating ruby-throated hummingbirds, though a few rarer species can occasionally be found throughout the state as well.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

The ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is by far the most common and widely distributed hummingbird in Michigan. Ruby-throats breed throughout Eastern North America and migrate through the Midwest on their way to and from their wintering grounds in Central America. Here are some key facts about this familiar backyard hummingbird:

• Identification: Males have an iridescent ruby-red throat, black chin, gray-green head and back, and dark forked tail. Females and immature birds lack the red throat and are overall greener above.
• Size: 3.1-3.5 in long, 2.4-4.3 oz weight
• Habitat: Open areas with flowers, parks, backyards, gardens, meadows, woodland edges
• Nesting: Female builds a small cup nest of plant down and spider silk on outer branches of deciduous trees. Lays 2 tiny white eggs.
• Feeding: Nectar from flowers via licking with long extendable tongue; also eats insects for protein.
• Migration: Summers across Eastern North America. Winters in Central America. Spring migration through Michigan from April-May, southbound migration from August-October.
• Fun fact: Ruby-throated hummingbirds flap their wings up to 70 times per second, and can reach speeds over 30 mph in display dives!

During summer, ruby-throats are found statewide across Michigan in areas with sufficient flowers and nesting habitat. They readily visit backyard feeders. Be sure to keep feeders clean, use proper sugar ratios, and provide some native flowering plants to support their nutritional needs.

Identifying Ruby-throats

Telling a male ruby-throat apart from other hummingbirds is straightforward thanks to its distinctive red gorget (throat patch). However, differentiating females and juveniles can be tricky. In Michigan, the only species they could potentially be confused with are rufous and calliope hummingbirds on rare occasions. Focus on overall plumage color, bill length and shape, presence/absence of rufous coloration, and tail shape when identifying ambiguous birds.

Attracting Ruby-throats

Here are some tips for making your yard or garden inviting to ruby-throated hummingbirds:

• Set up nectar feeders with 1:4 ratio of white sugar to water in mid-spring before hummers arrive.
• Choose tubular red flowers like bee balm, cardinal flower, and trumpet vine.
• Include a water feature like a mister or small fountain for bathing.
• Avoid pesticides which reduce insect populations the birds rely on.
• Supplement with high protein foods like mealworms or dried flies.
• Keep feeders fresh, clean, and well-maintained to prevent disease spread.

Rufous Hummingbird

While not confirmed every year, rufous hummingbirds (Selasphorus rufus) are regular vagrant visitors to Michigan, especially in fall migration. This feisty western species shows up sporadically in the Eastern United States. Here are some standout facts about rufous hummingbirds:

• Identification: Distinctive bright cinnamon-rufous coloration on the back, tail, and flanks. Green shoulders. Dark face with bold white eyering.
• Size: 2.8-3.5 in long, 0.1-0.2 oz weight
• Habitat: Open forests, meadows, yards with feeders in migration/winter.
• Nesting: Breeds in northwest portion of North America. Females build sturdy pine needle nests.
• Feeding: Nectar, tree sap, insects and spiders.
• Migration: Summers along the Pacific coast. Winters in southwest U.S. and Mexico. Irruptive eastward migrant.
• Fun fact: Rufous hummers are feisty and aggressively defend nectar feeders from other birds and hummingbirds!

In Michigan, rufous hummingbirds are most frequently reported from late summer through fall, though rare spring sightings occur. Peak months are August-October. They are most likely found at feeders rather than natural food sources. Keep an eye out for these wanderers!

Identifying Rufous Hummingbirds

The bold rufous plumage sets adult male rufous hummers apart from ruby-throats. Females and juveniles can show varying amounts of rufous and may be harder to distinguish. Look for green shoulders, prominent white eyering, and rufous wash on the sides and base of the tail. Immatures have rufous fringes on their body feathers. Compare tail shape and feeding behavior to other hummingbird species.

Attracting Rufous Hummingbirds

Follow these tips if you want to host a wandering rufous hummingbird:

• Keep nectar feeders filled and clean through fall migration period.
• Use low 1:4 ratio sugar nectar to provide quick energy.
• Have a water source available for bathing and drinking.
• Don’t worry about specialized flowers, they adapted to feeders.
• Post reported sightings todatabases to help track migration.
• Be patient, rufous sightings are unpredictable and spotty.

Calliope Hummingbird

The smallest breeding hummingbird in the United States, calliope hummingbirds (Selasphorus calliope) are rare and irregular migrants through Michigan. They breed in the northwestern U.S. and western Canada before heading south. Here’s a quick look:

• Identification: Very small with a short needle-like bill. Green above, white below. Pinkish throat stripe and dark tail feathers with white tips.
• Size: 2.75-3.25 in long, 0.1-0.17 oz weight
• Habitat: Mountain meadows in summer. Migration stopovers in gardens and backyards.
• Nesting: Female builds tiny lichen-covered nest saddled on evergreen branch.
• Feeding: Flower nectar and tree sap. Feeds on small insects.
• Migration: Summers in northwest mountains. Winters in Mexico. Uncommon eastward migrant.
• Fun fact: Calliope refers to the musical muse Calliope, reflecting the complex song patterns of this migratory hummingbird.

In Michigan, calliope hummingbirds are most frequently reported during late summer through early fall, though sightings have occurred between May and early December. They turn up sporadically at feeders where ruby-throats are already present.

Identifying Calliope Hummingbirds

Tiny size, short bill, streaked throat, and dark tail with white tips help distinguish calliope hummers. Immature males lack throat streaking, making them harder to differentiate. Use measurements and photo documentation to confirm unusual sightings in Michigan.

Attracting Calliope Hummingbirds

Follow these tips to provide support if a visiting calliope graces your yard:

• Keep clean nectar feeders available through fall migrations.
• Use sugar ratios on lower end to provide quick energy.
• Offer insects like small mealworms or aphids when possible.
• Have a water source, birdbath, or mister for bathing.
• Don’t worry about specialized plants, they are feeder-adapted.
• Spread the word on social media or eBird to help track appearances.

Rare and Accidental Hummingbird Species

In rare instances, other western hummingbird species end up off course and appear briefly in Michigan. Documented rare visitors include Allen’s, black-chinned, broad-tailed, buff-bellied, and green-breasted mango. There are even a handful of reports of exotic vagrant species like Anna’s and magnificent hummingbirds. Sightings likely occur every year but go unreported. Keep an eye out during migration periods for unusual hummers at your feeders!

Identifying Rare Hummingbirds

Picking out a rare hummingbird takes some luck and experience. Look for any unusual features compared to ruby-throats: different gorget color, unusual tail shape, buffy rather than green underparts, larger size, or curved vs straight bill. Take lots of photos and measurements to properly identify and document rare sightings.

Attracting Rare Hummingbirds

Follow these guidelines to help support any rare hummingbird visitors:

• Keep fresh nectar feeders out from April through October.
• Have a water source available for bathing and drinking.
• Avoid pesticides so feeders don’t harm fragile migrants.
• Spread the word on social media and eBird to help track appearances.
• Be patient, some species wander on a once in a lifetime trip.

Ideal Hummingbird Habitat in Michigan

To attract the greatest variety of hummingbirds, focus on providing what they need most: food and shelter. Here are some tips:

• Plant a variety of tubular native flowers that bloom spring through fall.
• Provide clean nectar feeders with proper sugar concentrations.
• Include shrubs and trees that offer protection and nesting spots.
• Incorporate a water feature like a mister, fountain, or small pond.
• Let some areas grow wild to support insect populations.
• Avoid pesticides and herbicides when possible.
• Position feeders and plants so birds have clear approaches.

By landscaping with hummingbirds in mind and providing supplemental feeding, you can create an oasis for ruby-throats and rarer species passing through the Great Lakes region.

Interesting Hummingbird Behaviors to Watch For

Hummingbirds exhibit many fascinating behaviors as they feed, rest, migrate, court mates, and interact with each other. Here are some interesting hummingbird antics you may observe in Michigan:

• Feeding – Watch how hummingbirds lick nectar with their long forked tongues at an incredibly fast pace.
• Aerial Dogfights – Males perform dramatic aerial displays and fights to defend flowers and feeders.
• Mating Displays – Males fly in loops and dives or dance on branches to impress females.
• Nest Building – Females carefully select nest materials and use spider silk to stitch them together.
• Bathing – Hummingbirds splash in water features or fly through misters to bathe.
• Torpor – At night or when food is scarce, hummers enter a deep hibernation-like state.
• Migration – Their incredible migratory journeys covering thousands of miles.

Ruby-throats and rare visitors alike provide plenty of entertainment with their energetic personalities and aerial acrobatics. Get to know your backyard hummingbirds and their behaviors!

Key Threats Facing Michigan’s Hummingbirds

Though resilient, hummingbirds face a variety of threats during their breeding seasons and migratory journeys. Here are some of the main risks:

• Habitat loss – Reduction in natural food sources and nesting sites from development, farming, etc.
• Pesticides – Chemicals reduce insect prey populations that hummers depend on for protein.
• Window collisions – Hummingbirds are frequent victims of deadly window strikes, especially during migration.
• Climate change – Shifting bloom cycles may cause mismatches between migration timing and food availability.
• Outdoor cats – Predation by cats takes a heavy toll on migrating hummingbirds stopping over.
• Disease – Dirty feeders can spread fatal diseases. Be sure to clean regularly.

Supporting native plants, keeping cats indoors, installing collision deterrents on windows, and spreading awareness can all help minimize these threats to Michigan’s hummingbirds.

Citizen Science Opportunities for Hummingbird Enthusiasts

Here are some great citizen science projects hummingbird watchers can participate in:

• eBird – Submit checklists of species observed and when to track migrations.
• Hummingbird Banding – Volunteer to help licensed hummingbird banders capture and band birds.
• Nectar Trail Camera Surveys – Post cameras at feeders to identify nighttime hummer activity.
• Hosting Reporting Portals – Set up a website for regional sightings like HummingbirdsofMichigan.com.
• Journey North – Report first spring arrival dates to map migrations.
• FeederWatch – Contribute data on hummingbird feeder visits over winter.

From migration timing to species distributions, citizen scientists provide invaluable data to help researchers track hummingbird populations and better understand their complex lives.

Fun Facts About Michigan’s Hummingbirds

Here are some interesting tidbits about the hummingbirds found in the Great Lakes region:

• Ruby-throated hummingbirds beat their wings 12-80 times per second!
• The record lifespan for a banded ruby-throat is 9 years 2 months.
• Male ruby-throats perform aerial “J-dives” to impress females.
• Rufous hummingbirds migrate clockwise around North America each year.
• A rufous once visited Michigan from Alaska, a 4000 mile journey!
• Tiny calliope hummingbirds weigh less than a nickel.
• Hummingbirds can see ultraviolet light invisible to humans.
• They can fly forwards, backwards, upside down, and hover in place.
• Hummingbirds sip nectar from anywhere from 5-20 flowers per minute!
• Their feet are so weak they can barely walk, only perch.

For their diminutive size, hummingbirds lead fascinating and complex lives. Watching them offers a glimpse into the natural wonders Michigan’s landscapes have to support.

Conclusion

While the ruby-throated hummingbird rules the skies of Michigan all summer, keep an eye out for rare vagrant species passing through, especially in late summer and fall. Providing nectar feeders, native plants, nest sites, and water sources will help attract and support resident and migrating hummingbird populations. Through landscaping choices and citizen science contributions, everyday Michiganders can make a real difference for these captivating birds. The next rufous or calliope lost and wandering through Michigan may very well show up in your own backyard!