Warming weather brings the aerial acrobatics of hummingbirds into view, according to Art Lander's Outdoors.

In the heart of Kentucky, a vibrant and tiny visitor graces rural backyards each spring. The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris), the species most commonly found in the state, begins to make its appearance.

These enchanting birds can be attracted to feeders, sipping sugar-water mixtures from specialized hummingbird feeders that resemble flowers. With their long bills, they insert the feeders with ease, a sight that never fails to captivate.

The Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds favor tubular flowers like the trumpet vine but will feed on a wide variety of blooming flowers and trees. They are known for their agility, often catching small insects by flying out and intercepting them in mid-air, or hovering to pluck a morsel from the leaves or stems of foliage.

Males arrive first, as early as late April, and establish territories. When the females arrive, courting and breeding commence. The female lays one to three white eggs, which she incubates for 11 to 16 days.

The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird is the dominant species east of the Great Plains in the Lower 48 states. Adults have metallic green upper bodies and grayish white lower bodies, with near-black wings. The adult male has a throat patch of iridescent ruby red bordered with black, while the adult female has a notched tail, with outer feathers banded in green, black, and white.

The nesting range of the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird extends from Saskatchewan, Canada and North Dakota, south to east Texas, east to northern Florida, and northward up the Atlantic Coast to the Canadian Maritimes. The nest site is usually found in a tree or large shrub, placed on a horizontal branch, 10 to 20 feet above the ground.

It's worth noting that more than 20 species of hummingbirds are listed as endangered or critically endangered. While enjoying these delightful creatures in your backyard, it's essential to respect their habitat and contribute to their conservation.

As the summer progresses, these vibrant hummingbirds continue to enchant Kentucky residents, reminding us of the beauty that nature has to offer. And as they migrate southwards in the autumn, we eagerly await their return the following year.

In addition to the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, the American Robin is another bird species frequently found in Kentucky during spring and summer, and it migrates as far as the Canadian Maritimes and southern Texas. These two species, along with the diverse array of flora and fauna, make Kentucky a haven for nature lovers.

Warming weather brings the aerial acrobatics of hummingbirds into view, according to Art Lander's Outdoors.