Ruby-Throated Hummingbird: Tiny But Mighty

Jada Thur

Jada Thur is a communications specialist in the DNR’s Office of Communications.

Wisconsin is home to many bird species, but one of the most dazzling is the hummingbird. These tiny, colorful birds are a joy to watch statewide from spring through fall.

So, what makes these winged wonders so fascinating, and how can we enjoy them responsibly?

Life Of A Hummingbird

The most common and only regularly breeding hummingbird in Wisconsin is the ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris). These little birds weigh about the same as a penny. On average, you’d need a hundred of them to make a pound!

Despite their size, they are strong fliers. They can beat their wings up to 50 times per second and hover in place, allowing them to sip nectar from flowers while staying perfectly still in the air.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds migrate every year, flying thousands of miles between Wisconsin and Central America. They arrive at southern Wisconsin in early May and farther north by mid-month.

Males return south in August, while females and young-of-the-year linger into September or even early October. Numbers are highest in late summer as fledged young abound at feeders, gardens and patches of wildflowers.

Fun Facts

❶ Wings that never stop: With wings that move in a figure-eight pattern, ruby-throated hummingbirds fly at astonishing speeds but can stop instantly, hover and adjust their position up, down and even backward. This rapid wing movement creates a humming sound, hence the name.

❷ Tuned in: Hummingbirds, important pollinators, can remember where flowers are, which ones they’ve already visited and how long it takes for those flowers to refill with nectar. This response helps them find the best places to feed.

❸ Fast metabolism: Their hearts can beat up to 1,200 times per minute, or 10 times the rate of humans! To keep up their energy, they feed continuously from sunrise to sunset. A ruby-throated hummingbird visits over 1,000 flowers in a day, consuming half its weight in nectar.

❹ Bright colors: Hummingbirds are able to identify vibrant hues of red, orange and pink.

Responsible Birding

If you want to attract hummingbirds to your yard, it’s important to do so responsibly. Here are a few tips:

❶ Plant native flowers: One of the best ways to attract hummingbirds is planting nectar-rich, tubular flowers native to Wisconsin, like bee balm, columbine, red honeysuckle, spotted jewelweed and cardinal flower. Native wildflowers typically offer significantly more nectar than cultivated flowers. These native plants naturally provide food for the birds and attract a variety of insects that supply the birds with protein, plus their vibrant blooms add beauty and biodiversity to your landscape.

❷ Homemade nectar: Make your own nectar by mixing four parts water with one part white granulated sugar. Boil the mixture to dissolve the sugar and let it cool completely before filling feeders. Avoid using honey, as it can promote the growth of harmful bacteria. Also do not use red dye in your nectar — natural flowers are enough to draw in the hummingbirds.

❸ Feeder placement and cleaning: Feeders should be hung in shaded areas away from direct sunlight. This will help the nectar from spoiling quickly and keep the hummingbirds comfortable while feeding. To prevent the spread of diseases, clean your feeders once a week in cooler weather and every 2-3 days in the heat of summer. Use hot water and mild soap to wash them and rinse thoroughly before refilling with fresh nectar.

❹ Avoid pesticides: Pesticides can be toxic to hummingbirds (and other wildlife visitors). If you have a garden for hummingbirds, keep it free of harmful chemicals.

❺ Provide water: Hummingbirds need water, too. Consider adding a shallow bird bath or a mister to your yard so they can drink and bathe safely. Remember to keep the water source clean and change the water regularly to ensure the well-being of your hummingbird visitors.

Hummingbirds are beautiful and fascinating birds. By learning more about them and following a few simple guidelines, we can make sure they stay safe while enjoying their visits.

Whether you are a dedicated bird watcher or just enjoy seeing them fly around your garden, hummingbirds will always be a special part of Wisconsin’s summer scene.

Infrequent Visitors

The ruby-throated hummingbird is the only regularly occurring hummingbird in Wisconsin. One other, the rufous hummingbird, is seen in very small numbers each year, usually from July to November. Six other species are accidental, meaning they’ve only been spotted a few times in the state:

• Allen’s hummingbird

• Anna’s hummingbird

• Buff-bellied hummingbird

• Broad-billed hummingbird

• Green-breasted mango

• Mexican violetear