Hummingbirds are migrating; when they will arrive in Ohio
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Some of the smallest species of birds in the world known for their bright metallic feathers and the humming sound created by their wings are traveling north for the summer, and will soon arrive in Ohio.
Beginning in late February, hummingbirds embark on a long journey, migrating north from their winter homes in Central America and Mexico. The birds, known for their fast-fluttering wings and long beaks, stops in southern states to breed before flying further north, touching the northernmost areas of the United States and reaching into Canada.
“We should start seeing hummingbirds in southern Ohio by about the second week of April and then they’ll continue further north by about the third week of April, so they’re coming soon,” said Assistant Communications Manager with the Ohio Division of Wildlife Meredith Gilbert.
With their bright metallic green and blue feathers, ruby-throated hummingbirds are the most common type of hummingbird in the U.S., and the species most frequently seen in Ohio. The eastern portion of the U.S. primarily sees ruby-throated hummingbirds, while the West sees a variety of species. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are the only species that nest in Ohio, but occasionally some Western species come to visit, according to Gilbert.
“We have had about four or five other species of hummingbirds with sightings in Ohio,” Gilbert said. “More often than not they’re rare visitors, like the rufous hummingbird, the allen hummingbird, those are species that are seen fairly often but in very small numbers.”
For Ohioans who want to attract the tiny bird to their yard, Gilbert suggests putting up a hummingbird feeder. Anyone can create their own hummingbird nectar by adding four parts water to one part table sugar, boiling it, letting it cool and adding it to a feeder. Gilbert notes not to add any artificial sweeteners or honey.
“For hummingbirds, you should actually be thinking about starting to get those feeders up here in the next couple of weeks, because it’s early season, those hummingbirds will be tired from their journey,” Gilbert said.
Planting nectaring flowers is also a great way to attract the unique birds to one’s yard – hummingbirds are attracted to flowers that are tubular in shape and shades of orange and red. Gilbert suggests native honeysuckle, cardinal flowers, beebalm and dillweed.
“They are basically the smallest species of birds that we have here,” Gilbert said. “They weigh less than an ounce and one of the really amazing things about hummingbirds is just their ability to fly very, very fast. They can fly up to 60 miles per hour but they can also fly forwards, they can fly backwards, they can hover.”
Another unusual aspect about hummingbirds is their nests, which are the smallest bird nests in the world, according to the American Bird Conservancy. Although they are small, Gilbert said if residents keep an eye out, they could catch a glimpse of their velvety nests in wooded areas.
“They’re teeny-tiny little walnut-sized nests that they put on the upperside of a branch,” Gilbert said. “They will hold their nests together using spider silk, then they’ll cover and camouflage the outside of the nest with lichens and moss.”
Hummingbirds’ affinity for bright-colored objects can often lead to them getting stuck in structures such as garages. If one comes across a hummingbird stuck in a garage but still moving, Gilbert suggests giving the bird as many exits as possible and letting it leave on its own. She advises against trying to catch it in a net or shooing it out.
If an individual comes across an exhausted hummingbird, Gilbert said they can gently collect the bird using gloves, making sure to wash their hands after.
“Maybe put it in a box, maybe lined with paper towels,” Gilbert said. “You could give it a little bit of that nectar, but then if it’s not recovering you could also call a wildlife rehabilitator.”
Hummingbirds will stick around the Buckeye state for about five months, before beginning their annual trip south for the winter in August or September.