Hummingbirds of Michigan: From the Commonplace to the Occasionally Clueless
Ah, Michigan. The Great Lakes State. Land of glorious autumns, deep-dish pizza that could feed a family of four, and...hummingbirds? You betcha! But before you grab your finest butterfly net (terrible idea, by the way), let's delve into the fascinating, and sometimes hilarious, world of hummingbirds in Michigan.
The Ruby-Throated Regular:
This little emerald wonder is the rockstar (or should we say, rock-hummer?) of Michigan's hummingbird scene. The males, with their flashy ruby-red throats (hence the name), are a sight to behold as they flit from flower to flower, sipping nectar faster than you can say "sugar rush." The females, lacking the ruby bling, are just as zippy and essential for keeping the hummingbird population buzzing.
The Rarest of the Rare (Except When They're Not):
Now, things get interesting. Buckle up, birding enthusiasts! While the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the main attraction, there have been sightings of other hummingbird species in Michigan. The Rufous Hummingbird, with its fiery orange back, might show up on occasion, likely a bit lost on its westward journey. Other western species might also make a surprise appearance, especially during fall migration. Think of it as a hummingbird wrong turn - a little like accidentally ending up at a polka festival instead of a rock concert (hey, some people might dig polka!).
The Great Hummingbird Imposter (Hopefully You Don't Get Fooled):
Here's a heads up: hummingbirds are the Usain Bolts of the bird world, zipping around at incredible speeds. So, if you see a hummingbird the size of a crow hovering by your feeder, well, it's probably not a hummingbird. It's most likely a hummingbird moth. These impressive moths mimic the behavior of hummingbirds, but fear not, they're completely harmless and just as fun to watch (though maybe a little less flashy).
How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Backyard (Besides Building a Miniature Disco Ball):
- Plant the right flowers: Hummingbirds love brightly colored, tubular flowers like bee balm, trumpet honeysuckle, and columbine.
- Set up a hummingbird feeder: Use a 1:4 ratio of sugar to water (no red dye needed!) and keep it clean.
- Be patient: It might take a while for the hummers to find your feeder, but once they do, they'll be back for more!
Hummingbird FAQs:
How to identify a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird? Look for the bright red throat patch - it's a dead giveaway (unless it's a female, then you're looking at a plain throat).
How to keep hummingbirds coming back to your feeder? Keep the feeder clean and filled with fresh sugar water.
How to tell the difference between a hummingbird and a hummingbird moth? Hummingbirds are tiny and super fast, while hummingbird moths are larger and slower.
How to avoid attracting bees to your feeder? Use a feeder with red accents (bees don't see red well) and place it in a shaded area.
How to convince a lost hummingbird to use your feeder instead of migrating further west? We recommend offering a tiny travel brochure showcasing the wonders of Michigan (polka festival not included). But seriously, hummingbirds are wild creatures, so just enjoy their fleeting visit!
💡 This page may contain affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
