Hummingbirds are a fixture of the Kansas spring and summer. The state serves as a significant stopover and breeding ground along their migratory paths. While Kansas is not home to them year-round, its diverse habitats, from the eastern woodlands to the western plains, provide a haven for refueling and nesting. Understanding their presence is key to successfully welcoming these birds into a backyard space.
Identifying Kansas Hummingbird Species
The vast majority of hummingbirds observed in Kansas are the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, the only species that commonly breeds in the region. Identifying the male is straightforward: it features a bright, iridescent ruby-red throat patch (gorget), contrasting with its metallic green back and white underparts. This throat color can appear black in poor light or when the bird is not facing the sun.
The female Ruby-throated Hummingbird lacks the red gorget, displaying a plain white or faintly streaked throat and a more subdued appearance. Females are generally slightly larger than males and possess a green back with a gray-white underside. While the Ruby-throated dominates, several other species, such as the Rufous Hummingbird, are occasionally sighted, typically as western vagrants passing through during the late summer and fall migration. These rare visitors often appear on the western side of the state.
The Annual Migration Schedule
The return of hummingbirds to Kansas is a predictable event tied closely to spring weather and the flowering season. Mature males are the first to arrive, often appearing in mid-April after completing a non-stop flight across the Gulf of Mexico. Their early arrival focuses on establishing and defending the best feeding territories ahead of the females.
Females and younger birds follow the males, generally arriving in late April and early May, coinciding with the peak bloom of spring flowers. The hummingbirds remaining in Kansas through June and July form the breeding population, focused on nesting and raising young. The southward migration begins in late summer. Mature males start leaving as early as mid-July, followed by females and juveniles who depart entirely by mid-September or early October.
Tips for Attracting Hummingbirds
Providing a reliable food source is the most effective way to draw hummingbirds to a backyard, starting with a properly mixed nectar solution. The ideal recipe mimics natural flower nectar, requiring a precise four-parts water to one-part plain white granulated sugar ratio. This mixture should never contain red dye, which is unnecessary and potentially harmful. Substitutes like honey, corn syrup, or brown sugar must also be avoided, as they can promote dangerous fungal growth or be difficult for the birds to digest.
Feeder placement and maintenance are equally important for a safe and consistent feeding station. Hanging feeders in a shady location prevents the sugar water from fermenting too quickly, a process accelerated by the high temperatures of a Kansas summer. The nectar must be changed every two to three days, and more frequently if temperatures exceed 90°F, to prevent the growth of black mold that is toxic to hummingbirds. Cleaning the feeder thoroughly with hot water and a brush, and occasionally a mild vinegar solution, is necessary with every refill.
Supplementing feeders with specific plants offers a natural and sustainable food source while also attracting the small insects that form a significant part of the hummingbird diet. Tubular flowers, particularly those in red or orange shades, are preferred because their shape accommodates the hummingbird’s long bill. Native Kansas plants like Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans), Bee Balm (Monarda), and Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) thrive in the local climate. Planting these alongside feeders ensures a continuous supply of both nectar and insect protein throughout the season.