Minnesota is home to several species of hummingbirds that either breed in the state or pass through during migration. The most commonly seen hummingbirds in Minnesota include the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Calliope Hummingbird, and Broad-tailed Hummingbird.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only hummingbird species that breeds regularly in Minnesota. These hummingbirds arrive in Minnesota in early May to breed and nest. They are found statewide during summer.
Male Ruby-throats have a brilliant red throat, black chin, and forked tail. Females lack the red throat and are duller in color. Adults are 3-4 inches long and have a wingspan of 3-4 inches. They feed on flower nectar and small insects.
Ruby-throats build small cup nests out of plant fibers like spider silk on the branches of deciduous and coniferous trees. They lay 2 pea-sized white eggs and raise 1-2 broods per summer. Ruby-throats migrate south to Central America for the winter.
Rufous Hummingbird
The Rufous Hummingbird is a common spring and fall migrant in Minnesota. These hummingbirds breed farther north and west of Minnesota. During migration, they stop to rest and refuel on nectar and insects in the state.
The male Rufous Hummingbird has a bright orange throat and belly. Females are green on top with a white underside and rust colored spots on the throat. Rufous Hummingbirds are 3-3.5 inches long with a wingspan of 4 inches.
Rufous Hummingbirds are feisty and chase other hummingbirds away from nectar sources. They migrate north along the Pacific Coast in spring and return through the central part of North America in late summer and fall. Peak sightings occur in May and August in Minnesota.
Calliope Hummingbird
The tiny Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest bird species found in Minnesota. It is an uncommon spring and fall migrant in the state. Calliopes breed in the northwestern United States and western Canada.
Adult male Calliopes have bright magenta throats and crowns. Females and young birds are green on top with white undersides marked with dusky streaks. Calliopes measure just 2.75-3.5 inches long with a 3.5 inch wingspan.
These tiny birds have the highest wingbeat frequency of all North American hummingbirds. Their wings can beat up to 80 times per second! Calliopes feed on nectar and small insects. They migrate through Minnesota in May on their way north and again in late summer as they return south.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
The Broad-tailed Hummingbird is an occasional vagrant in Minnesota, primarily in the fall migration. It breeds in the western United States and normally migrates along the Rocky Mountains rather than through the Midwest.
Adult male Broad-tails are iridescent green on the back and head with a bright pink throat, belly, and tail edges. Females are duller with a pale belly. Broad-tails are fairly large, measuring 3.5-4 inches long with a wingspan of 4 inches.
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds feed on flower nectar as well as small insects like gnats, aphids, and spiders. They build cup nests in trees using plant fibers and spider silk. Sightings in Minnesota likely involve young birds dispersing farther across the country during migration.
Other Rare Hummingbird Visitors
In rare cases, other western hummingbird species show up in Minnesota as vagrant birds. These accidental visitors include the Anna’s Hummingbird, Allen’s Hummingbird, Costa’s Hummingbird, and Black-chinned Hummingbird. However, sightings are very uncommon and sporadic for these species in the state.
Best Places to See Hummingbirds in Minnesota
Some of the top places to spot hummingbirds in Minnesota include:
- Private Residences – Hummingbird feeders and flower gardens attract these small birds throughout the state.
- State Parks – Parks like Itasca, Lake Bronson, and Interstate offer flowers and wooded habitat.
- Nature Centers – The Audubon Center and Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory host hummingbirds.
- Public Gardens – The Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Minnesota Landscape Arboretum draw in hummingbirds.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds can be found statewide in summer. Migrating birds like Rufous Hummingbirds are often seen along Minnesota’s north shore and other locations in May and August. Keep an eye on nectar flowers and feeders to spot them!
When to See Hummingbirds in Minnesota
Here is a timeline showing when different hummingbird species can be seen in Minnesota:
Species | Spring Migration | Breeding Season | Fall Migration |
---|---|---|---|
Ruby-throated Hummingbird | May | June – August | August – September |
Rufous Hummingbird | Mid May | – | Mid August |
Calliope Hummingbird | Late May | – | Mid August – September |
As this table shows, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds spend the breeding season in Minnesota raising young, while other species just pass through on migration. Mid May and August are the peak times to see migrant hummingbird species. But Ruby-throats can be spotted all summer long in Minnesota.
Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Yard
Here are some tips to attract hummingbirds to your yard in Minnesota:
- Get a hummingbird feeder – Fill it with a 1:4 ratio of white sugar to water. Refill it often and clean it weekly.
- Plant native nectar flowers – Red bee balm, trumpet honeysuckle, and cardinal flowers attract hummingbirds.
- Provide small perches – Hummingbirds often perch briefly between laps at feeders.
- Have multiple feeders – Spread feeders around your yard to minimize aggression and allow more birds to feed.
- Use red feeders – Red dye is not necessary but red feeders tend to attract more hummingbird activity.
- Avoid pesticides – Provide a chemical free environment for these small birds.
Threats and Conservation
The major threats facing hummingbirds in Minnesota include:
- Habitat loss – Development, logging, and agriculture reduce natural landscapes that hummingbirds rely on during migration and breeding.
- Climate change – Shifting precipitation patterns and higher temperatures may affect hummingbird range and migration timing in the future.
- Pesticides – Chemical use can contaminate nectar sources and insects that hummingbirds eat.
- Window collisions – Hummingbirds can fatally collide with glass while chasing reflections or when windows obstruct their flight path.
Some ways to help hummingbird conservation include:
- Planting native flowers and gardens free of pesticides.
- Participating in citizen science surveys like the Hummingbird at Home project.
- Making windows bird safe using deterrents like tape, screens, and decals.
- Educating others about these unique birds and how to help protect them.
Key Facts About Minnesota’s Hummingbirds
- The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only regular breeding hummingbird species.
- Rufous Hummingbirds are common migrants especially along the north shore.
- Tiny Calliope Hummingbirds pass through during spring and fall migrations.
- Broad-tailed Hummingbirds are rare vagrants mostly seen in fall.
- Mid May and August are the peak times to see migrant hummingbird species.
- Red tubular flowers like bee balm attract hummingbirds to gardens.
Conclusion
Minnesota provides important habitat for breeding Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and migrating species like Rufous and Calliope Hummingbirds. The best chances to spot them are during spring and fall migration, but Ruby-throated Hummingbirds can be found all summer long across the state. Attracting these tiny birds to backyards with feeders and flowers provides an up-close look at their unique behaviors and diving flight. Protecting habitat from development and reducing threats like building collisions and pesticides are important ways to ensure Minnesota continues supporting hummingbirds into the future.