Kansas sees a variety of hummingbird species migrating through the state each year. The most common hummingbirds spotted in Kansas during migration are the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Calliope Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, and Allen’s Hummingbird.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most widespread and commonly seen hummingbird in Kansas. This species breeds in the eastern United States and Canada during the summer, and migrates through the Great Plains in the spring and fall to reach its wintering grounds in Florida, Mexico, and Central America. In Kansas, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are typically seen from April to October as they pass through the state. They are small, measuring only 3-4 inches long, with bright emerald green plumage on the back and crown, and white underparts. Adult males have a stunning metallic ruby-red throat.
Migration Details
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds depart their winter grounds and begin moving north as early as February. The first Ruby-throats usually arrive in Kansas in early April. Numbers peak in May and June as males precede females on migration and more birds move through the state. By late September most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have left Kansas and are well on their way to their wintering grounds in the tropics. Some stragglers may linger into October.
Best Places to Spot Them
Ruby-throats can be found across the state of Kansas during migration, especially in areas with flower gardens, feeders, and wooded areas. Some top spots for sighting them include:
- Botanica Gardens in Wichita
- Sedgwick County Park
- Cherry Creek Reservoir near Russell
- Kansas Arboretum in Topeka
- Cherry Creek State Park
What They Eat
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds sip nectar from a variety of brightly colored tubular flowers including bee balm, trumpet vine, cardinal flower, salvia, and columbine. They also drink sugar water from feeders. To get protein, they eat small insects and spiders.
Rufous Hummingbird
The Rufous Hummingbird is a common spring and fall migrant through Kansas as it travels between its breeding grounds along the Pacific Coast and its winter range in Mexico. They are one of the earliest hummingbird species to arrive in Kansas each spring, sometimes as early as late February. Peak migration is March through May, and then again August-September as they return south. Rufous Hummingbirds are feisty and very territorial despite their tiny size. The males have beautiful rusty colored plumage on their backs and flanks.
Migration Details
Rufous Hummingbirds begin leaving their wintering grounds in Mexico as early as January and start showing up along the Gulf Coast by February. By March, they are rapidly moving inland through states like Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Most Rufous Hummingbirds pass through Kansas from late February through May. The southbound migration occurs between July and September. Despite being a common migrant, Rufous Hummingbirds rarely linger long in Kansas and are typically just passing through on their way to farther destinations.
Best Places to Spot Them
Rufous Hummingbirds can be seen throughout Kansas during migration months. Good locations to spot them include:
- Cherry Creek Lake near Russell
- Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area
- Scott Lake State Park
- Elkhart Cemetery
- Quivira National Wildlife Refuge
What They Eat
Like other hummingbirds, Rufous Hummingbirds drink nectar from colorful tubular flowers and feeders. They prefer flowers like Indian paintbrush, lilies, and columbine. They also eat small insects.
Calliope Hummingbird
The smallest breeding hummingbird in North America, the Calliope Hummingbird is an uncommon visitor to Kansas mostly during spring migration. Most records are from the western half of the state. They breed primarily in the northwestern United States and western Canada before heading south to winter in Mexico.
Migration Details
Calliope Hummingbirds leave the winter grounds by late February and start heading north. In Kansas, they are most likely to be seen in April and May as they pass through on their way to more northern breeding locales. Fall migration south takes place in late summer and early fall, with August-September being the best months to spot one in Kansas.
Best Places to Spot Them
Some locations Calliope Hummingbirds have been spotted in Kansas include:
- Cheyenne Bottoms
- Scott State Park
- Quivira National Wildlife Refuge
- Elkhart Cemetery
- Point of Rocks Ranch near Cimarron
What They Eat
Calliope Hummingbirds feed on nectar from trumpet vine, Indian paintbrush, and other small tubular flowers. They supplement their diet with tree sap and small insects.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
A hummingbird of the mountain West, the Broad-tailed Hummingbird is an uncommon migrant and summer visitor in western parts of Kansas. They breed farther west and pass through Kansas on their way to and from wintering grounds in Mexico.
Migration Details
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds begin leaving their winter range by late February and start arriving in Kansas in April and May. Some may linger into the summer to breed. Their southbound migration brings them back through Kansas in late summer between July and September.
Best Places to Spot Them
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds are most likely to be seen in western Kansas including:
- Cimarron National Grassland
- Meade County
- Point of Rocks Ranch near Cimarron
What They Eat
These hummingbirds get nectar from tubular red flowers like Indian paintbrush as well as penstemon and larkspur. They also eat insects.
Allen’s Hummingbird
Allen’s Hummingbirds breed along the Pacific Coast and normally winter in Mexico. They are rare spring and fall migrants in Kansas, mostly sighted in the western part of the state.
Migration Details
The spring migration brings a few Allen’s Hummingbirds through Kansas in April and May as they head north. Some southbound birds pass back through in fall between August and October.
Best Places to Spot Them
Some of the limited sightings of this species in Kansas include:
- Meade County
- Cimarron National Grassland
- Liberal area
What They Eat
Allen’s Hummingbirds feed on nectar from flowering plants including currants, lilies, paintbrush, and penstemon. They also eat spiders and insects.
Attracting Migrating Hummingbirds
Here are some tips to attract migrating hummingbirds to your yard as they pass through Kansas:
- Put up feeders – Fill them with a 4:1 ratio of water to white sugar. No need to add red food coloring.
- Plant native flowers and shrubs that hummingbirds love like trumpet vine, bee balm, and cardinal flower.
- Avoid pesticides so insects are available as a protein source.
- Provide small perches for hummingbirds to rest.
- Consider special feeders that catch drips to reduce bee visitors.
- Provide water sources like misters, fountains, or bird baths.
- Avoid trimming flowers and shrubs during peak migration months.
Conclusion
Although Kansas only hosts breeding hummingbirds like the Ruby-throated in the eastern part of the state, a variety of species pass through on migration including Rufous, Calliope, Broad-tailed, and Allen’s. By providing nectar feeders, flower gardens, and habitat, you stand a great chance of spotting some of these tiny, glittering migrants as they travel to and from their breeding and wintering grounds.
