Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in Illinois

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are summer residents in Illinois, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on nectar from tubular red and orange flowers; gnats, mosquitoes and small spiders.

Humid continental, grading from the Lake Michigan shore and prairie north to the forested Shawnee Hills in the south.

Across Illinois, ruby-throated hummingbirds typically nest from May–August. Nest site: walnut-sized cup of plant down bound with spider silk, saddled on a downward-sloping branch. Females lay 1–3 eggs (usually 2), incubate for 12–14 days, and young leave the nest after 18–22 days.

Hot, humid summers; much of the state is farmland, so backyard native plantings matter.

• Ruby-throated Hummingbirds don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as trumpet honeysuckle, trumpet creeper, red buckeye for nest sites.
• Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after August.

Of the regional native plants we track for Illinois, these 5 provide food or cover ruby-throated hummingbirds use:

Change nectar every 2 days in hot weather (under 80°F, every 4–5 days) and clean the feeder each refill. Males defend feeders aggressively; several feeders out of sight of each other help.

• Best foods: Sugar water: 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water, no dye.
• Avoid: Honey, brown sugar, artificial sweeteners and red dye.
• In Illinois's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.

Full diet breakdown for ruby-throated hummingbirds · Best feeder for ruby-throated hummingbirds