WISCONSIN — According to Ryan Brady, a conversation biologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin could see ruby-throated hummingbirds as soon as this month.
While the birds have not been spotted in Wisconsin yet, they typically arrive beginning at the end of April.
According to the DNR, southern Wisconsin counties begin to see the birds during the last week of April, while northern counties start to see them in the first week of May.
However, more significant numbers will not show up until mid-May.
As of Monday, ruby-throated hummingbirds have been spotted as far north as Missouri, southern Illinois, and Indiana.
These ruby-throated hummingbirds are the only species of hummingbird that the state sees regularly. While there are typically a few sightings of rufous hummingbirds each year, they do not show up nearly as frequently.
If you wish to attract more hummingbirds to your home, the DNR has a few tips that may help.
If you have a hummingbird feeder, fill it with a ratio of one cup white sugar to four cups of water. Additionally, do not dye the water as that is unnecessary to attract the birds and can harm them.
It is essential to clean the feeder and add fresh water every 3-4 days. Another great way to attract birds is with Native Plants. Learn more at dnr.wi.gov, keyword "native plants," where you'll find background info and lists of native plants for hummingbirds, butterflies, and other birds.
You can expect to see ruby-throated hummingbirds through late July or early August. However, many will linger into mid-September in the north or early October in the far south.
