Hummingbirds are a beloved sight in Michigan, darting from flower to flower with their fast wing beats and long slender bills. These tiny birds breed in Michigan during the summer months, but when do they arrive and depart for their winter grounds? Here is a look at the seasons for hummingbirds in Michigan.
When Do Hummingbirds Arrive in Michigan?
Most hummingbirds arrive in Michigan in early May. The timing coincides with spring flowering, ensuring nectar availability for the migrants. Here are the spring arrival dates for common Michigan hummingbirds:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird: between April 25 and May 15
- Rufous Hummingbird: between May 5 and May 20
- Calliope Hummingbird: between May 10 and May 25
Arrival dates can vary slightly from year to year depending on weather conditions and food availability along migration routes. Males tend to arrive first to scout out territories before the females arrive a week or two later.
When Does Hummingbird Nesting Season Begin?
Hummingbirds build small, compact nests in which they lay their tiny eggs. In Michigan, hummingbirds begin nesting activities in mid to late May. Females construct the nests out of plant down, spider webs, and lichens on top of a small tree branch.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds are the main breeding hummingbird in Michigan. They lay two pea-sized white eggs in each nest, with eggs hatching after a 12-14 day incubation period. Rufous and calliope hummingbirds may also nest in very small numbers in the Upper Peninsula.
When Is the Hummingbird Nesting Season?
The active hummingbird nesting season lasts from May through July in Michigan. Here is the typical nesting timeline:
- Nest building: Mid May to early June
- Egg laying: Late May to mid June
- Incubation: 12-14 days after egg laying
- Fledging: 18-28 days after hatching
Ruby-throated hummingbirds produce 1-2 broods during the breeding season in Michigan. The nesting season ends in July as flowers begin to fade and food availability decreases.
What Do Hummingbirds Eat in Michigan?
Hummingbirds get most of their nutrition from nectar and small insects and spiders. Here are some of the natural food sources for hummingbirds in Michigan:
- Nectar from flowers like columbine, trumpet vine, bee balm, and cardinal flower
- Small insects like gnats, aphids, fruit flies
- Spider webs for the protein from spiders
- Tree sap from wells excavated by sapsuckers
- Sugar water from feeders
Having a diversity of flowering plants that bloom from spring through fall will provide essential food for hummingbirds throughout the seasons.
Best Flowers for Hummingbirds in Michigan
Here are some of the top flower varieties and plants to attract hummingbirds to your yard in Michigan:
| Flowers | Bloom Time |
|---|---|
| Columbine | April to June |
| Trumpet Vine | June to September |
| Bee Balm | June to August |
| Cardinal Flower | July to September |
| Petunia | May to September |
| Fuchsia | June to September |
| Zinnia | June to October |
Best Trees and Shrubs for Hummingbirds
Here are some top trees and shrubs to attract hummingbirds to nest and feed:
- Butterfly bush – summer flowering shrub
- Lilac – spring flowering shrub
- Weigela – spring flowering shrub
- Willow trees – spring flowering tree
- Hawthorn trees – spring flowering tree
- Maple trees – spring flowering tree
- Magnolia tree – spring flowering tree
When Does Hummingbird Migration Begin?
Hummingbirds begin leaving Michigan in late August or early September to start their fall migration south to their wintering grounds. Here are the typical fall migration departure ranges:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird: between August 25 and September 10
- Rufous Hummingbird: between September 1 and September 15
- Calliope Hummingbird: between September 5 and September 20
As flowers fade and temperatures drop, hummingbirds know it is time to migrate. Males tend to leave first, followed by females and juveniles.
When Do Hummingbirds Depart Michigan?
Most hummingbirds are gone from Michigan by early to mid-October. Stragglers may remain into late October if food resources allow. Here are the typical ranges for final fall departures:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird: between October 1 and October 15
- Rufous Hummingbird: between October 5 and October 20
- Calliope Hummingbird: between October 10 and October 25
By providing nectar feeders, you can help late-migrating hummingbirds get the fuel they need to finish their long migration to Central America or Mexico.
Where Do Michigan Hummingbirds Go in Winter?
Ruby-throated hummingbirds primarily winter along the Gulf Coast of the southern United States into Mexico. Some key wintering sites include:
- Southern Texas
- Mexico
- Costa Rica
- Panama
Rufous hummingbirds mainly winter in Mexico and along the Pacific Coast. Prime winter locations are:
- Southern California
- Mexico
Calliope hummingbirds migrate all the way to western Mexico and southern Arizona and California for the winter months.
Do Any Hummingbirds Stay in Michigan in Winter?
Michigan winters are too harsh for hummingbirds to survive. Very rarely, a lost individual may linger into December or January in a protected microclimate with abundant feeders, but this is highly unusual.
By late October, homeowners should remove their feeders or bring them inside to discourage hummingbirds from attempting to overwinter. Focus late season feeders on helping migrating birds build fat reserves to travel south.
How Should I Prepare My Yard for Hummingbirds?
Here are some tips to create an attractive habitat for hummingbirds in Michigan:
- Plant a variety of flowering plants that bloom from April through September.
- Include flowering trees and shrubs for nesting habitat.
- Provide nectar feeders with a 4:1 sugar water ratio.
- Position feeders in visible locations with perches.
- Put up feeders by early May before hummers arrive.
- Clean feeders every few days to prevent mold.
- Provide insect feeders to attract bugs.
- Include a fountain or mister for birds to bathe and drink.
- Eliminate pesticide use which reduces insect populations.
By providing a diverse, pesticide-free landscape with flowers, feeders, water sources, and nesting sites, you can create a haven for hummingbirds!
Conclusion
In summary, hummingbirds arrive in Michigan in early May, breed during the summer months, and depart by late September or October for their southern wintering grounds. The key seasons for hummingbirds in Michigan are:
- Spring Migration: Early to mid May
- Nesting Season: Mid May through July
- Fall Migration: Late August through mid October
By planting a variety of nectar flowers and flowering trees and shrubs that bloom spring through fall, you can provide food for hummingbirds from the moment they arrive in spring to the day they depart in the fall. Supplement flowers with nectar feeders and water sources to create a complete habitat. With proper encouragement, these tiny aerialists will bring beauty and wonder to your yard for months at a time.
