Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in Minnesota
When ruby-throated hummingbirds are present in Minnesota, when they nest, which native Minnesota plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3a–5b yard.
- Status in Minnesota
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- June–August
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–5b
When to expect ruby-throated hummingbirds in Minnesota
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are summer residents in Minnesota, arriving shortly before nesting begins in June 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.
Continental, with very cold winters and warm summers; prairie in the west, boreal forest in the northeast.
Nesting in Minnesota
Across Minnesota, ruby-throated hummingbirds typically nest from June–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.
A short, intense breeding season; most nesting runs May through July.
- Ruby-throated Hummingbirds don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as trumpet honeysuckle, trumpet creeper, golden currant for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after August.
Native Minnesota plants that attract ruby-throated hummingbirds
Of the regional native plants we track for Minnesota, these 7 provide food or cover ruby-throated hummingbirds use:
Nectar and seed.
Native red tubular flowers timed to hummingbird arrival.
Large orange trumpets through midsummer.
Scarlet late-summer spikes; a hummingbird magnet in moist soil.
Early yellow flowers for hummingbirds, then summer fruit.
Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.
Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower.
Feeding ruby-throated hummingbirds through the Minnesota year
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 Minnesota's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Full diet breakdown for ruby-throated hummingbirds · Best feeder for ruby-throated hummingbirds
Frequently asked
Are ruby-throated hummingbirds in Minnesota year-round?
No. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are summer breeders in Minnesota and leave for the winter.
When do ruby-throated hummingbirds nest in Minnesota?
Nesting in Minnesota typically runs June–August, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 1–3 eggs (usually 2), incubated for 12–14 days.
What native plants attract ruby-throated hummingbirds in Minnesota?
Wild bergamot, Trumpet honeysuckle, Trumpet creeper, Cardinal flower, Golden currant, Rocky Mountain bee plant, Fireweed are native plants in Minnesota that provide food or cover for ruby-throated hummingbirds.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in other regions
Other backyard birds in Minnesota
Sources
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Minnesota
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.