Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in Iowa

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are summer residents in Iowa, 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 prairie state, with loess hills in the west and the Driftless Area in the northeast.

Across Iowa, 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 with thunderstorms.

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

Of the regional native plants we track for Iowa, these 4 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 Iowa's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.

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