Michigan’s ruby-throated hummingbirds are flitting about the state now, and with a little effort, your hummingbird feeder will welcome the birds.
“While native flowering plants are the best source of nectar for hummingbirds, supplementing with a well-tended sugar-water feeder can provide additional sustenance during nesting season and migration,” the National Audubon Society’s website says.
If you’re handy, make your own “nectar “for a backyard feeder. You can buy some at a local store or online as well. Consider ideal placement in your yard and remember, experts say, to clean your feeder frequently.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds have completed the annual trek north to Michigan this season, arriving in the state by mid-April, according to Hummingbird Central’s interactive 2026 Hummingbird Spring Migration Map.
Here’s what to know to attract hummingbirds this spring in Michigan.
Are hummingbirds in Michigan?
Yes, ruby-throated hummingbirds are flitting about across Michigan. The first birds returned in mid-April, according to Hummingbird Central’s 2026 Hummingbird Spring Migration Map, updated through April 26.
If you want to see where they’ve been sighted, the interactive map offers the chance to track the birds online.
How to make nectar for hungry hummingbirds
Hummingbirds sometimes arrive in Michigan before flowers they favor have bloomed so they may need help for a short time. To make your own hummingbird nectar, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute provides this recipe:
Several Michigan hardware, grocery, bird and pet stores sell hummingbird nectar, and you can also purchase it from companies online.
How often should you clean and change your feeder?
Adjust your schedule to change and clean your feeder based on the climate, the National Audubon Society advises.
Where should you place your hummingbird feeder?
When setting up your hummingbird feeder, there are several environmental factors to keep in mind. Here are some tips from bird feeder brand Perky-Pet and The Spruce:
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Hummingbirds are here. How to bring them to your window
Reporting by Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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