Keep Your Eyes Peeled; Thousands Of Hummingbirds Are Headed Right For Nebraska During Their Migration This Spring
By Delana Lefevers|Published March 09, 2021
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Delana Lefevers
Author
As a lifelong Nebraskan, Delana loves discovering the many hidden treasures of her state. She has worked as a writer and editor since 2007. Delana's work has been featured on more than a dozen websites and in Nebraska Life Magazine.
Springtime always brings a renewed sense of hope along with lots of bright colors and lovely natural sights. In a few weeks, it will also bring some colorful visitors: migrating ruby-throated hummingbirds.
Most hummingbirds are migratory, and they tend to stick to the same migratory path every year. They don't stay in Nebraska very long during their spring migration, which just makes it more magical when you do spot them.
The hummingbirds stick mainly to eastern Nebraska. Except for a few outliers every year, the hummingbirds coming through Nebraska are almost exclusively of the ruby-throated variety.
In early March of 2021, the hummingbirds have barely made it out of the tropics. Peak spring migration sightings in Nebraska will be between April and May.
These itty-bitty feathered friends are truly tiny and easy to overlook. You're likely to spot them in gardens planted with hummingbird- and bee-attracting flowers.
Their tiny wings can flap up to 80 times per second, so it's no wonder they seem to always be feeding. In fact, they can feed anywhere from five to eight times a day!
You may be wondering, "How can I attract hummingbirds to my yard?" A hummingbird feeder like this one is a great way to invite the birds into your yard.
A pre-made hummingbird nectar (skip the ones with with dyes) will attract hummingbirds, but you can also easily make your own with a simple recipe using just sugar and water. Just be sure to change the nectar every other day and wash the feeder twice a week to avoid fermentation and mold.
Have you seen any hummingbirds yet this spring? Do you put out feeders for them? Tell us all about your hummingbird sightings in the comments! Keep track of the 2021 migration on this interactive map.
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