Hummingbirds are regular and anticipated summer residents in Missouri. These tiny birds travel thousands of miles each year, arriving in the state to breed and forage for nectar and insects during the warmer months. As the only species of hummingbird that commonly breeds across the eastern United States, their presence in Missouri is a source of fascination for many observers. They are a frequent visitor to both natural wooded areas and suburban backyard gardens throughout the state.
The Primary Missouri Hummingbird Species
The most frequently observed hummingbird species in the state is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris), which is the only one that nests in Missouri. This species is small, measuring only about three to three and a half inches long and weighing less than a quarter of an ounce. Males are easily identifiable by their iridescent emerald green back and a ruby-red throat patch, known as a gorget.
In contrast, the females and juvenile birds have a metallic green back but lack the distinctive red throat, displaying a plain white or pale throat instead. Females are also slightly larger than the males, and their tail feathers have white tips, which are absent on the male’s forked tail. These hummingbirds seek out mixed woodlands, deciduous forests, and forest edges for nesting, often near streams or lakeshores. They also thrive in suburban and urban environments, provided there are ample flowers and supplemental feeding sources like backyard feeders.
Seasonal Presence and Migration Timing
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are neotropical migrants, meaning they spend their winters in Mexico and Central America, returning north to Missouri for their breeding season. The first arrivals, typically the adult males, usually appear in Missouri during early to mid-April, though the exact timing can shift based on yearly weather patterns. Females and younger birds follow the males by about a week or two.
They spend the summer months nesting and raising their young, with the population often peaking in late August and early September as the new generation joins the southward migration. This southward journey is triggered by an internal instinct responding to the shortening daylight hours, not by a lack of food. Most of the state’s hummingbirds begin their departure in mid-August, with the majority having left by the end of September. It is recommended to keep feeders available until mid-October to assist any late-migrating stragglers passing through from further north.
Attracting and Supporting Hummingbirds
Providing a reliable food source is the most effective way to attract these birds. The most common supplemental food is a simple sugar-water solution mixed at a ratio of one part granulated white sugar to four parts water. Avoid using red food coloring, honey, or artificial sweeteners, as these can be harmful to the birds’ health. The solution should be changed and the feeder thoroughly cleaned every few days, or daily during hot weather, to prevent mold or bacteria.
Hummingbirds are drawn to plants with red or orange tubular-shaped flowers, which contain high concentrations of nectar. Planting native Missouri species is beneficial because they also support the insects hummingbirds require for protein, especially when feeding their young. Recommended native plants include:
- Cardinal flower
- Royal catchfly
- Trumpet creeper
- Red buckeye
These plants provide a staggered bloom throughout the season. Finally, avoid the use of pesticides, which can eliminate the small arthropods that hummingbirds rely on for a complete diet.