A ruby-throated hummingbird sips nectar. Photo: Joseph Prezioso/Getty Images
Ruby-throated hummingbirds are back from the tropics and ready to feast.
Why it matters: These colorful aerial acrobats, the only hummingbirds that nest east of the Mississippi River, have returned to Southwestern Pennsylvania for the warmer months — delighting birdwatchers and heralding spring's full return.
Zoom in: To create a hummingbird-friendly space in your backyard, the National Audubon Society recommends:
Dimming outdoor lights at night to keep the pollinators on course.
Setting up a mister or drip fountain — hummingbirds bathe often.
Growing native, nectar-rich plants like trumpet honeysuckle, bee balm and jewelweed. A nectar feeder can help birds find you even faster.
Maintaining a healthy garden rich with insects — the birds rely on protein from bugs like gnats and spiders to fuel their journey.
What's next: It's time to put your feeders outside, says the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania.
