A handful of bird species make up a majority of conversations and questions at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center: Bald eagles, Sandhill and Whooping cranes, Snowy owls, and Hummingbirds. As faithful birdwatchers with feeders in their gardens can attest, this fall has been a great hummingbird season in Kansas. The sight of these speedy-winged birds seems to bring a smile to any observers face.

This year, across Kansas since mid-August, many bird watchers have reported as many as 30-40 hummingbirds at one time at their feeders. At the KWEC pollinator garden, we’ve consistently had three hummers around for three weeks. Other locals have noted seeing hummingbirds in their yards for the first time ever this year. Reasons for this observed boom in numbers is not well understood, with hypotheses ranging from persistent droughts in the southwest US to unique low pressure systems pushing them into Kansas from the northeast.

Hummingbirds really are a freak of nature. As a group they are among the smallest birds to exist. Their aerial displays are awesome, with incredibly fast wingbeats (up to 80 beats per second) which allow them to hover in mid-air. Special muscle attachments in their shoulders allow their wings to rotate almost 180 degrees permitting both forward and reverse flight.  Their metabolism is the highest of any animals, except for insects, and one species has a heartbeat recorded at 1260 beats per minute. Consequently, much of a hummingbird’s day is spent feeding. While they are well known to feed on nectar from plants and feeders, small insects and spiders are critically important sources of protein for hummingbirds. They can eat up to half their weight in nectar and insects every day.

In Kansas, 10 species of hummingbirds have been recorded; however, four of those species are considered common, and one, the Ruby-throated hummingbird is by far the most common species seen throughout the state.  Ruby-throated hummingbirds breed in the eastern third of Kansas, and can be found throughout the summer in the western part of the state.  They are migratory, however, and August and September seem to provide the most observations throughout Kansas, with adult males coming through first, with adult females and juveniles lingering longer into fall. Moreover, late September is often the time of year to see other rare species of hummingbirds in Kansas. Ruby-throated hummingbirds mostly winter in Mexico and Central America, and many are known to make the treacherous 600 mile journey across the Gulf of Mexico during their migration. 

Attracting hummingbirds to your yard can be as simple as placing a nectar feeder. However, experience suggests that to really attract and retain hummingbirds, plants are the key. With a feeder, hummingbirds may visit but typically won’t stay long. Yards with a variety of nectar producing flowers as well as other insect attracting plants typically retain hummingbirds for weeks or even months.  Keep this in mind when you plan next year’s garden.

Setting up a feeder is easy. Many commercial hummingbird feeders are available, and most any one will work.  Typically, hummingbirds are attracted to red flowers, so most feeders contain the red color. Commercial nectar can be purchased, but these nectars often contain dyes and preservatives that could harm the birds. Making your own nectar is very simple and cheap.  Bring four parts water to a boil and add one part sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved and then cool before placing in feeder. Extra nectar can be refrigerated. It is very important to keep the feeder clean.

There is still time! If you’re looking for hours of entertainment, get your feeders up and wait for the show that hummingbirds can bring to your yard.  You won’t be disappointed!