As the weather gets warmer, many people start seeing hummingbirds around their homes. If you’re wondering when these little creatures will make their way to Kansas, read on for more information.
Checkout this video:
Spring Migration
Each year, thousands of hummingbirds travel to Kansas to mate and raise their young. The majority of these birds arrive in the state in late April or early May. However, some hummingbirds may arrive as early as March, and others may not arrive until June.
The earliest recorded date
The earliest recorded date for the Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Kansas was March 13, 1902, at Atchison (Atchison County). A few records exist for late February and early March, but more often they are not seen until the last week of the month or the first week of April. In recent years, ruby-throats have been reported from Kansas as early as February 20. The latest fall date for this species is November 25.
In southcentral and southeastern Kansas, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds generally arrive during the last half of April. Migrants using the Davis Mountains route in Texas may not arrive in southern and central Oklahoma until mid-April or later. Farther north on the plains, in Nebraska and Iowa, most birds do not appear until early May. The timing of migration along the Mississippi River probably varies depending on wind conditions and whether the river is frozen or open.
The average date
In Kansas, the earliest sighting of a Ruby-throated Hummingbird is March 8th, with the average date being April 10th. These dates come from eBird data from the past 10 years.
The latest recorded date
The latest recorded date for a hummingbird in the state of Kansas is November 11th.
Summer Migration
hummingbirds typically arrive in Kansas in early May and can be seen through late September or early October. Some species may linger later into fall if there are still flowers blooming or if fruits are ripening on bushes and trees.
The earliest recorded date
The earliest recorded date for a hummingbird in Kansas was March 8, 1955. This individual, however, was most likely an extremely early migrant that had been forced south by cold weather further north. A more typical date for the first arrival of hummingbirds in Kansas is the last week of April or the first week of May.
The average date
The average date of the first summer nesting hummingbird in Kansas is May 10. The average date of the last summer nesting hummingbird in Kansas is August 10.
The latest recorded date
The latest recorded date for the summer migrants Ruby-throated Hummingbird and Calliope Hummingbird in Kansas was September 7th, 2000. These birds are migrating from their summer homes in the northern United States and Canada to their winter homes in Mexico. They will travel along the Mississippi Flyway, which is a major north-south flyway for many different kinds of birds in North America.
Fall Migration
In Kansas, hummingbirds begin leaving their nests in mid- to late August. Most of them are gone by early October, but a few may linger into November. Some species of hummingbirds migrate to Central America, while others travel to the southern United States.
The earliest recorded date
The earliest recorded date for a Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Kansas was March 11, 1953, at Gove County, in the northwest corner of the state. A few days later, on March 16, one was banded in Marshall County in northeastern Kansas. The next hummingbird reported in 1953 was not until April 20, when one was found dead at Caldwell in southwest Kansas.
The average date
In Kansas, the average date of the first fall migration is September 10th. This date can vary by a week or two depending on the weather conditions in any given year. The warm, wet weather of late summer is ideal for hummingbird migration, so if you want to see them sooner, try putting out your feeders a little earlier than average.
The latest recorded date
The latest recorded date for the first reportedRuby-throated Hummingbird in Kansas was November 14, 2007, in Cherokee County, in the far southeast corner of the state. An individual was also seen and photographed in Coffeyville on October 28, 2012; and although this is unusual, it does not necessarily mean that hummingbird migration is getting earlier. The fact that this species is making an appearance so far north so late in the year could be a result of many factors, including changes in breeding ranges and habitat loss.
Winter Migration
Hummingbirds are fascinating creatures. They are the only bird species that can fly backwards, and they can hover in mid-air. They are also very tiny, weighing less than a penny. Despite their small size, they are one of the longest migrating bird species. Some hummingbirds will travel all the way from Alaska to Mexico, a distance of over 5,000 miles!
The earliest recorded date
The earliest recorded date for a hummingbird in Kansas was February 16, 1953, when a Ruby-throated Hummingbird was seen near El Dorado. Migration of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds generally begins in late February in the southern states and works its way northward. The latest date for a Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Kansas is November 15, 2003, when one was seen in Overland Park. Therefore, we can expect to see them anytime from mid-February through early November.
The average date
In Kansas, the average date of first fall arrival for hummingbirds is August 18th, with a range of dates from late July to early September. The average date of last fall departure is October 11th, with a range of dates from late September to early November. In some years, a few hummingbirds are still present in early December.
The earliest spring arrival on record in Kansas is March 4th. The latest spring departure on record is May 9th. These dates represent the extreme limits for arrival and departure times, and actual dates will vary depending on the weather patterns in any given year.
The best time to set out hummingbird feeders is 10-14 days before the average date of first arrival in your area. Keep your feeders clean and filled with fresh nectar throughout the season to attract and keep these feathered friends around all season long!
The latest recorded date
ruby-throated hummingbird was on December 13th, 2020.
