John WilliamHummingbirds in Kansas: These tiny, territorial birds captivate with their aerial acrobatics. They can hover, fly backward, and fiercely guard their turf. Their long bills, like butterfly proboscises, probe deep into flowers for nectar. While Ruby-throated Hummingbirds dominate the eastern half of Kansas, other species are rare vagrants. But fear not! With a little research, you might spot up to seven hummingbird species in the Sunflower State.
Here we’ll learn about 7 different types of Hummingbirds In Kansas!!
1. Ruby-throated hummingbird
- Scientific name: Archilochus colubris
- Size: 2.8 to 3.5 inches (7 to 9 cm)
- Weight: 0.071 to 0.212 ounces (3.4 g to 3.8 g), females slightly larger
- Wingspan: 3.1 to 4.3 inches (8 to 11 cm)
- Lifespan: 5-7 years
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird, a beloved North American species, is like a living gem. Imagine a bird so small it could fit in the palm of your hand! These little dynamos spend their winters in warm places like Central America and Mexico. But when spring arrives, they embark on an incredible journey, flying up to Canada.
Now, let’s talk about their signature feature: that vibrant red-pink throat of the male. It’s like a flashy tie at a fancy party! Interestingly, the females don’t have this colorful necktie – they’re more understated.
When it comes to communication, these hummingbirds are quite chatty. They use squeaky chirps to express themselves. But don’t worry; they’re not noisy neighbors. Most of the time, they keep quiet unless they’re defending their turf or showing off during courtship.
Here’s another fun fact: Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are introverts. Yep, they’re not big on socializing. Outside of the breeding season, they prefer a solitary lifestyle. Moms handle parenting duties all by themselves – no help from the dads! These little birds are daytime warriors, constantly buzzing around to find nectar. And when the weather gets chilly, they have a secret weapon: hypothermic torpor.
2. Anna’s Hummingbird
- Scientific name: Calypte Anna
- Length: 3.9 – 4.3 inches
- Weight: 0.1 to 0.2 oz
- Wingspan: 4.7 inches
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
- Status: Least Concern
Anna’s Hummingbirds are a vibrant part of North America’s bird scene, but spotting them in Kansas is a bit of a treasure hunt. They love exotic plants, so places like public gardens are your best bet for a glimpse. Males stand out with a unique red crown, a feature exclusive to this species in North America.
Both male and female Anna’s Hummingbirds sport a reddish-pink throat patch, called a gorget, though the females are less flashy. The male’s metallic call might startle you—it’s unique! While they’re not common in Kansas, joining local birding clubs could lead to exciting rare sightings. Keep an eye on their updates; you might just get lucky and see these colorful visitors!
3. Allen’s Hummingbird
- Scientific name: Selasphorus Sasin
- Length: 3 — 3.5 inches
- Weight: 0.71 – 0.176 ounces
- Wingspan: 3 inches
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
- Status: Least Concern
This small, colorful bird is pretty rare to see in Kansas. It usually lives in the western United States, but sometimes during migration, it ends up in places like Kansas.
The Allen’s Hummingbird is special because of its rusty coloring. Males have rusty flanks, rump, tails, and a shiny orange-red throat. Females are mainly green but have a rusty tail like the males.
Juvenile Allen’s Hummingbirds look a lot like female Rufous Hummingbirds, so it’s hard to tell them apart. The males of this bird are very protective of their territory.
Even though they’re tiny, they’re brave and will fight off big predators like kestrels and hawks.
4. Black-chinned Hummingbird
- Scientific name: Archilochus Alexandri
- Length: 3.5 inches
- Weight: Unknown
- Wingspan: unknown
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
- Status: Least Concern
The Black-chinned Hummingbird gets its name from the black patch on its throat, which is only seen in males. Females are a mix of soft green and brown colors.
They mainly live in the western United States but also migrate to Canada in the summer and Mexico in the winter.
Though not common in Kansas, you might spot them anywhere with lots of flowers that make nectar.
Female Black-chinned Hummingbirds build their nests using plant fibers, spider webs, and other soft materials. They usually nest 6 to 12 feet above the ground to keep away from big predators.
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5. Broad-tailed Hummingbird
- Scientific name: Selasphorus Platycercus
- Length: 4 inches
- Weight: 0.13 oz (3.6 g)
- Wingspan: 5.25 inches
- Lifespan: 5-7 years
- Status: Least Concern
The Broad-tailed Hummingbird isn’t in Kansas all year, but you might see some during their yearly migration.
This bird looks different depending on if it’s male or female. Males have a red throat, but females don’t. They like to live in places with pine or oak trees.
They like to eat red, tube-shaped flowers, but they’ll also drink nectar from other flowers and eat small bugs.
During the breeding season, you might see male Broad-tailed Hummingbirds in Kansas doing cool tricks to impress females. They fly up high and then dive down, making a special sound with their wings.
6. Calliope Hummingbird
- Scientific name: Selasphorus Calliope
- Length: 2.8–3.9 in
- Weight: 0.071 to 0.106 oz
- Wingspan: 4.3 in
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
- Status: Least Concern
The Calliope Hummingbird is the tiniest bird in the United States and Canada. When it visits Kansas during migration, it’s often seen between Lawrence and Ottawa.
Unlike most hummingbirds, this species doesn’t just eat nectar and bugs. They also drink sap from holes made by sapsuckers.
They like to build their nests on pine cones, so they prefer places with lots of pine trees. The nest is small and brown, blending in with real pine cones.
Just like Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, they often reuse their nests for many years. It’s a smart move since making a new nest with spiderwebs, lichen, and other light materials takes a lot of energy.
7. Rufous Hummingbird
- Scientific name: Selasphorus rufus
- Length: 2.8–3.5 in
- Weight: 0.071–0.176 oz
- Wingspan: 4.3 in
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
- Conservation Status: Near Threatened
The Rufous Hummingbird is a cool bird you might see in Kansas. It might just be passing through on its way west for spring and summer, or heading south for winter.
It’s called “rufous” because of its reddish face. The male has a really bright orange-red throat. Females also have some orange on their throats, but not as much as the males.
Even though they’re tiny, these birds can fly over 2,000 miles in a year when they migrate. They’re so small that bigger birds sometimes eat them.
In 2018, scientists got worried about them because their numbers went down a bit. This happened because there weren’t as many bugs for them to eat, and sometimes the bugs they did eat had been poisoned by pesticides.
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Where To Spots Hummingbirds in Kansas
If you want to see hummingbirds while walking in nature, here are some tips:
- Pay close attention to small details because hummingbirds are tiny and move really fast.
- Start by exploring trails in Kansas state parks. They’re designed for spotting wildlife, and you can often find guides to help you identify different species.
- Check out local Audubon groups. They often lead tours and can teach you a lot about birds.
- Consider going on a guided tour if you’re new to birdwatching. Experienced guides can help you spot birds that might be hard to see on your own, especially if they’re rare in your area, like hummingbirds
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What month are hummingbirds in Kansas?
Hummingbirds typically arrive in Kansas in late April to early May and stay until September or October.
Q2. How do you attract hummingbirds in Kansas?
To attract hummingbirds, plant native flowers like bee balm, trumpet vine, or red salvia. Use feeders with sugar water (1 part sugar to 4 parts water) and keep them clean and filled.
Q3. Which US state has the most hummingbirds?
California is known to have the most hummingbird species and the highest population density of hummingbirds in the United States.
Q4. Where do hummingbirds live in the US?
Hummingbirds live in various habitats across the US, including forests, gardens, and coastal areas. They can be found in almost every state during the breeding season and migrate to warmer regions in the winter.
Mya Bambrick
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