Hummingbirds in Missouri represent the return of so much natural beauty, including the blossoming flowers and lush green grass: Spring feels like an annual miracle. One of the first questions many of us have as soon as the weather starts warming up each year is “When do hummingbirds come back to Missouri?” These little birds are a sure sign of the season. You’ll get the best chance of catching a glimpse of them if you put out a hummingbird feeder to help them along with their migration. 

Ruby-throated hummingbirds in Missouri are a highlight of the migrating seasons for many bird lovers. Here’s everything you need to know about when hummingbirds return to Missouri.

When is the best time to see hummingbirds in Missouri?
Flickr/Mark Moschell
Ruby-throated hummingbirds will soon return to our backyards and neighborhoods as they migrate from the southern states back to the Midwest, including Missouri, typically arriving between the beginning and the middle of April.
The ruby-throated hummingbird is a tiny bird – just under four inches long from the tip of the beak to the tip of the tail.
Flickr/Joshua Mayer
Hummingbirds flap their wings a stunning 53 times a second and travel at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour.
Hummingbirds eat bugs, but they also feed off of the nectar in flowers. If you want to draw ruby-throated hummingbirds in Missouri to your yard, you can add a feeder.
Flickr/Joe Rudd
The best time to leave out hummingbird feeders in Missouri is probably in late March.
It just has to do its job of holding sugar water for the hummingbirds to drink.
Flickr/wormwould

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Just remember the ratio of the recipe is one to four.
Flickr/Jimmy Smith
If you’re using a cup, you’ll add one cup of sugar to four cups of water. However, do not add red dye, which could be deadly.
Change the sugar water regularly, preferably every few days.
Flickr/Corn Farmer
Don’t forget to clean the feeder thoroughly or mold may build up, which is also harmful to the hummingbirds.
Your feathered guests will likely hang around until mid-August, although some leave for the south as late as October.
Flickr/pevrdonk
Experts recommend keeping the water out a few weeks after you’ve seen the last of the hummingbirds, just in case some stragglers come along.
After spending winter in Central America, the hummingbirds begin their migration back to the north sometime in February.
Flickr/jeffreyw
Are you ready for the return of the ruby-throated hummingbirds in Missouri?

Hummingbirds in Missouri are an exciting sight! Do you put out feeders for them? If you need a hummingbird feeder, you’ll find one on the Etsy website.

Do you have any tips for other Missourians who want to attract the birds to their yard? Join the conversation in the comments below!

Then check out these 10 breathtaking photos of Missouri in the spring.

10 Breathtaking Photos That Prove Spring In Missouri Is The Most Beautiful Time Of Year

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When Do Hummingbirds Return to Missouri?

Beth Price-Williams | February 20, 2023

What types of hummingbirds are in Missouri?

  • The most common type of hummingbird in Missouri is the ruby-throated hummingbird.
  • The Missouri Department of Conservation asserts that some western hummingbirds may fly through Missouri, although they’re usually not seen until the mid to late fall, generally after the ruby-throated hummingbirds have left Missouri.
  • If you live in Western Missouri, you may spot the rufous hummingbird from July through November.
  • Also, be on the lookout for the lovely monarch butterflies.


When will hummingbirds arrive in Missouri?

We should start seeing hummingbirds in Missouri anywhere from the beginning to the middle of April as they make their return from Central America. We’re fortunate enough to have the hummingbirds in Missouri until they migrate back to Central America, typically in mid-August. However, if you’re lucky, you might even have some hummingbird visitors (especially if you are providing them with water) through the end of October. For your best chance to enjoy Missouri’s visiting hummingbirds, add a bird feeder to your yard.

When should I hang a hummingbird feeder in Missouri?

If you plan to add a hummingbird feeder to your yard, do so at least a few weeks before their expected arrival. Your best bet is to hang your feeder out in mid-March or early April. In addition to online shopping, a good place to find one is your local hardware store.

Is it safe to feed hummingbirds in Missouri?

It is safe to feed hummingbirds in Missouri. However, there are a few things of which you’ll want to be aware:

  • NEVER add red dye to your feeder. Some say that the red dye will attract hummingbirds; however, the red dye could be deadly.
  • All you need is four parts water and one part sugar.
  • The Missouri Department of Conservation recommends boiling the sugar water, especially if you plan to save some to use at a later time.
  • Make sure you clean your hummingbird feeder regularly, preferably every other day. Mold, which can be harmful to hummingbirds in Missouri, can build up quickly.

 

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