Hummingbirds are a beloved sign of spring and summer across Kentucky. These tiny, vibrantly colored birds darting about flowerbeds and feeders are a delight to observe. Kentucky’s hummingbird season sees several species passing through or breeding in the state.
When does hummingbird season start in Kentucky?
Hummingbird season in Kentucky typically runs from early April through late September or early October. The first spring hummingbirds start arriving in early April. Numbers increase through April and May as more birds migrate through Kentucky from their wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America.
By late May, most hummingbird species that breed in Kentucky have arrived and established breeding territories. Nesting season runs from May through July. The initial southbound migration starts by late July and August. Most hummingbirds depart Kentucky by late September or early October.
What are the most common hummingbird species seen in Kentucky?
Four species of hummingbirds are regularly encountered in Kentucky:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Rufous Hummingbird
- Black-chinned Hummingbird
- Calliope Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is by far the most widespread and commonly observed hummingbird in the state. However, Rufous Hummingbirds are increasingly reported, particularly along migration routes in spring and fall. Black-chinned and Calliope Hummingbirds are rare but regular visitors, mainly in western Kentucky.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only breeding hummingbird species found east of the Great Plains. These hummingbirds monopolize feeders across Kentucky from April through September. The adult male has an iridescent red throat. Females and immature males have white throats.
Rufous Hummingbird
The Rufous Hummingbird is a common migrant and winter visitor in the southeastern United States. These boldly colored hummingbirds are increasingly reported in Kentucky, especially during spring and fall migration. Adult males are unmistakable with reddish-orange plumage on the back and belly.
Black-chinned Hummingbird
The Black-chinned Hummingbird breeds primarily in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Increasingly, vagrants are found in the eastern United States. Kentucky sees a small number of Black-chinned Hummingbirds each year, primarily in western areas of the state.
Calliope Hummingbird
The Calliope Hummingbird is North America’s smallest breeding bird and the smallest long-distance avian migrant. These tiny hummingbirds occasionally stray to Kentucky during migration or winter. They are most likely to be encountered in western Kentucky.
Where are the best places to see hummingbirds in Kentucky?
Hummingbirds can be found throughout Kentucky, but some areas see higher reports of rare species. Some top sites include:
- Southwest Kentucky near the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, where Rufous and other western species are occasionally spotted.
- The Ohio River valley, especially along the border of Kentucky and Indiana, is a hummingbird migration corridor.
- Eastern Kentucky locations such as Pine Mountain and Cumberland Falls State Resort Park host breeding Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.
- Central Kentucky parks and gardens in Lexington and Louisville attract nesting Ruby-throats and migrant hummingbirds.
How to attract hummingbirds to your Kentucky yard
To bring hummingbirds up close, consider these tips for your yard:
Provide food
Fill your yard with nectar-producing flowers and set up feeders with homemade nectar. Hummingbird favorites include:
- Tube-shaped red flowers like cardinal flower, trumpet vine, and bee balm
- Nectar-rich blooms like weigela, butterfly bush, petunias, and lantana
- Sugar-water feeders, ideally with red parts as hummingbirds are attracted to red
Give them water
Hummingbirds bathe and collect water. Consider adding drippers, misters, or a small water feature.
Provide shelter
Trees, shrubs, and vines give hummingbirds places to perch and nest. Oak, maple, pine and fruit trees are good choices.
Avoid pesticides
Skip the pesticides so hummingbirds can collect small insects. Let a few areas grow wild to attract insect prey.
Consider specialty feeders
Try a flying insect feeder or bee feeder stocked with sugar water to provide food variety.
When to put up and take down hummingbird feeders in Kentucky
Follow this timeline for your hummingbird feeders:
- Mid-March: Begin cleaning and preparing feeders for the season. Purchase fresh nectar.
- Early April: Start feeding early arrivals. Look for returning Ruby-throats in eastern Kentucky.
- September: Maintain clean feeders until most hummingbirds depart by late September/early October.
- Mid-October: Take down feeders to avoid attracting other wildlife in winter.
Consider leaving feeders up later into fall migration if hummingbirds continue to visit. Migrants may linger if they find a food source.
Do hummingbirds migrate through or winter in Kentucky?
Most hummingbirds do not overwinter in Kentucky due to a lack of food. However, some are attempting to winter farther north each year. Providing winter nectar sources may convince some hummers to stay. Rufous Hummingbirds are increasingly found wintering in southeastern states.
Kentucky is situated along the major spring and fall migration routes for hummingbirds traveling between their breeding grounds and winter homes. Peak migration occurs in April/May and August/September when feeding swarms of hummingbirds pass through. Exceptional numbers can be seen along the Ohio River valley during migration.
Interesting hummingbird facts
Hummingbirds captivate people with their beauty, speed, and aerial abilities. Here are some fascinating facts about these ultra-light fliers:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbirds weigh only 3-4 grams but have a fast heart rate up to 1,260 beats per minute.
- Their wings beat around 53 times per second, allowing speeds over 30 mph.
- They have the ability to fly forward, backward, upside down, and hover in midair.
- Their bill is perfectly adapted for extracting nectar from flowers.
- Hummingbirds eat up to half their weight in nectar daily and also capture insects and spiders for protein.
- They build tiny cup-shaped nests out of plant down, spider silk, and lichens.
Conclusion
The arrival of hummingbirds signals the start of spring across Kentucky. These energetic birds bring color and activity to backyards and gardens from April through September. Attracting hummingbirds is simple with the right flowers, feeders, and habitat. Their speedy antics and glittering colors make observing them a delight.
