Michigan’s location in the upper Midwest means that it is home to several species of hummingbirds during the spring and summer months. The main species that can be found in the state are the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, the Rufous Hummingbird, the Calliope Hummingbird, the Broad-tailed Hummingbird, and the occasional sighting of the Anna’s Hummingbird.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most common and widespread hummingbird seen in Michigan. This bright green and red hummingbird arrives in Michigan in early May to breed and nest. The male Ruby-throated Hummingbird has a brilliant red throat, black chin, and forked tail. The female lacks the red throat patch and is duller in color. Ruby-throats are found throughout the Lower and Upper peninsulas in a variety of habitats including forests, parks, backyards, and meadows.
Here are some key facts about Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in Michigan:
- They are summer residents, arriving in May and departing in September/October.
- Nests are made of plant down and spider silk and about the size of a walnut.
- Females lay 2 white eggs and incubate them for 12-14 days.
- Their wings beat up to 80 times per second.
- They have the largest breeding range of any hummingbird in North America.
Ruby-throats get their name from the vivid crimson gorget or throat patch on the male. When the light hits just right, this patch glows brightly. Ruby-throats are fiercely territorial and males will aggressively defend their feeding territories from intruders.
Rufous Hummingbird
The Rufous Hummingbird is an uncommon but regular spring and fall migrant in Michigan. These hummingbirds breed primarily in the Pacific Northwest and Canada and migrate east along the Gulf Coast states to their wintering grounds in Mexico. During migration, some Rufous Hummingbirds get pushed inland into the Great Lakes regions like Michigan.
The males are unmistakable with their vivid reddish-orange coloration on their backs, sides, and bellies. Females lack the bright orange and are green on top with white undersides. Some key facts about Rufous Hummingbirds in Michigan include:
- They pass through during April-May and August-September migrations.
- Rare summer sightings in Upper Peninsula.
- Most sightings are immature females and juvenile males.
- Attracted to red hummingbird feeders and bright red flowers.
- Highly aggressive around feeders, chasing off other hummingbirds.
The peak viewing times for Rufous Hummingbirds in Michigan are mid-May and early September. Keep an eye out for these feisty orange migrants as they pass through the state.
Calliope Hummingbird
The smallest breeding hummingbird in the United States, the Calliope Hummingbird is an uncommon visitor to Michigan. About the size of a ping pong ball, these tiny hummers breed in the mountains of western North America. They migrate through the Great Lakes regions in spring and fall.
Male Calliopes are ornate with vibrant magenta throats and tiny gorgets. Females and juveniles are more subtle light gray-green overall with white undersides. Here are some quick facts about Calliope Hummingbirds:
- Smallest hummingbird species in North America
- Rare spring and fall migrant in Michigan
- More frequent sightings in recent years
- Attracted to nectar feeders, especially red colors
- Distinctive high-pitched thin call sounds like high-pitched beeping
The best times to spot Calliope Hummingbirds are April-May as they migrate north and August-September on their return south. They are few and far between, but keep an eye out for these tiny hummingbirds gracing Michigan.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds are uncommon migrants from the mountainous regions of the western US. In late summer and fall, vagrants appear well outside their normal range including in Michigan. Broad-tails are medium-sized hummers with a distinctive bubbly twittering song.
Identification points for Broad-tailed Hummingbirds include:
- Medium-sized with a short, straight bill
- Males have a distinct rose-pink throat
- Females are solid green with white undersides speckled with green
- Juveniles resemble adult females
- Make a high-pitched trilling sound
- Most sightings are from August to October
These wanderers occasionally get pushed east to the Great Lakes during fall migration. Michigan birders should be on the lookout for them at feeders or anywhere flowering plants are found.
Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbirds are very rare and accidental visitors to Michigan. This medium-sized hummingbird is a year-round resident along the Pacific Coast. Stray Anna’s occasionally get blown far off course and wander east during the fall.
Here’s what to look for to identify an Anna’s Hummingbird:
- Males have deep rose-pink throats and crowns
- Females are gray-green overall with white undersides
- They have a distinctive habit of hovering in one place
- Long, thin beaks and short tails
- Prefer nectar feeders and tall blooming plants
- Rare fall and winter sightings in Michigan
An Anna’s Hummingbird in Michigan would represent an exceptionally rare bird. Any possible sightings should be documented and shared with the birding community.
Best Places to See Hummingbirds in Michigan
Here are some top sites around Michigan to spot migrating and breeding hummingbirds:
Location | Species | Best Time to Visit |
---|---|---|
Whitefish Point Bird Observatory | Ruby-throated, Rufous, Calliope | May and late August-September |
Tawas Point State Park | Ruby-throated, Rufous | May and September |
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park | Ruby-throated, Rufous | May through August |
Point Pelee National Park, Ontario | Ruby-throated, Rufous, Calliope | April-May and September-October |
Houghton County | Ruby-throated, Rufous, Calliope | May through September |
Detroit Metroparks | Ruby-throated | May through August |
These hotspots host vibrant wildflowers, feeders, and competent birders during the peak hummingbird migration seasons. Combining public lands with private gardens in these regions gives birders the best chance to spot wandering hummers.
How to Attract Hummingbirds in Michigan
Here are some tips to make your Michigan yard or garden attractive for migrating and breeding hummingbirds:
- Set up nectar feeders – Use a 4:1 ratio of water to white granulated sugar. Change nectar weekly.
- Add bright red feeders and flowers – Red attracts hummingbirds.
- Provide water for bathing – Hummers bathe daily.
- Plant tubular flowers – Hummers prefer flowers they can reach into like bee balm.
- Avoid pesticides – Chemicals reduce insects that hummers feed on.
- Supplement with fruits – Oranges, berries, and currants provide food.
- Eliminate bees and wasps – Competitors can dominate feeders.
- Set up multiple feeders – Allows territory for many birds.
By following these tips, you can create an attractive and welcoming space for Michigan’s hummingbirds. They will reward your efforts with amazing up-close views.
When to See Hummingbirds in Michigan
Here is a timeline showcasing the best times to spot different hummingbird species throughout the year in Michigan:
Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ruby-throated | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||||||
Rufous | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||||||||
Calliope | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||||||||
Broad-tailed | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||||||
Anna’s | ✓ |
As this table shows, the peak viewing period for most hummingbird species is from April through September as they pass through Michigan on their migration routes. However, vagrant species like Broad-tailed and Anna’s may show up outside of typical seasons in the fall.
Conclusion
Michigan serves as an important stopover for hummingbirds migrating across North America each spring and fall. By providing habitat and food sources, Michigan residents have the opportunity to observe these energetic birds up close. Red feeders, tubular flowers, and isolated parks or forests create ideal conditions for spotting migrants. With a diversity of species passing through, Michigan hummingbird watching provides plenty of excitement for bird enthusiasts.