Of the 366 species and 112 genera of hummingbirds living in the western hemisphere, fewer than two dozen types migrate to the United States and Canada every year. Hummingbird migration takes these tiny birds south for the winter in search of warmer temperatures, but they will fly as far as 3,000 miles back in the spring.
If you’re like other fans of these different kinds of hummingbirds eagerly awaiting their return, you want to know when to put out hummingbird feeders to help them along their journey. Hummingbird season commences at different times, depending on where you live.
Southeast/Gulf Coast: February to March
Ruby-throated hummingbirds start showing up in Florida, Georgia, and parts of Texas in late February or March, so it’s a good idea to put up feeders in February to prepare for the first migrators. Besides, some rufous hummingbirds winter in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and other Gulf states, so being prepared for early feeding is a thoughtful gesture.
Make the feeders visible and fill them with food to sustain them on their long voyage. What do hummingbirds eat? While they do eat small bugs and spiders, as well as sap and pollen, the bulk of their diet comes from nectar. On average, they consume between 1.5 and 8 times their body weight in sugar each day. And because bugs and pollen are hard to come by so early in the year, they often depend on hummingbird feeders to nourish them.
Southwest: March to April
Some hummingbird species may winter over in the southwestern states of Arizona and New Mexico, and even in parts of Texas. Black-chinned hummingbirds seek the valleys and towns in the Southwest, while Costa’s hummingbirds nest in the desert during the winter and spring before heading west during the peak summer heat.
Migratory hummingbirds hit this warm area early, appearing in the Southwest around March or April. However, weather conditions and environmental factors can alter arrival dates. Hummingbirds can return to the same location year after year—even to the same feeder—so it pays to be prepared.
West and Northwest: January to February
The Pacific Coast and southern desert regions are home to some hummingbird species all year, including Anna’s hummingbird—the only one of four Pacific Northwest hummers that doesn’t always migrate south.
Some varieties of hummingbirds, including rufous, calliope, and black-chinned, migrate north on the “Pacific Flyway” or “floral highway” along the West Coast’s valleys and foothills, reaching the Northwest by early summer. Allen’s hummingbirds reach the California coast and southern Oregon in January or February. Rufous hummingbirds start flying up the coast on their way to the Pacific Northwest in February. Broad-tailed hummingbirds can be seen in the mountain states during late spring.
North and Midwest: April to May
Northern and Midwestern regions are some of the last areas to enjoy migrating hummingbirds—and typically see only the ruby-throated variety. They start arriving in late April to early May after flying up from Texas and Louisiana, where they’ve been since February and March. The farther north your location is, the later their appearance tends to be. However, once the hummingbirds arrive, they will stick around all summer, so be sure to keep the feeders clean and filled, and your garden planted with their favorite flowers.
You can track hummingbird migration to follow their progress. Plan to put up feeders when they’re about 2 weeks away from arriving at your location.
When to Pack Up Hummingbird Feeders
If you’re in a hummingbird migratory path, leave feeders up from spring until fall because hummingbirds need food on the southward journey to their winter retreat just as much as they do on the spring trek north. As a rule of thumb, remove feeders about 2 weeks after the last sighting—somewhere around mid-October in northern regions and mid-November in southern areas. Be sure to give feeders a good cleaning before storing them away until the next year.
In Southern California, where many species of hummingbirds live year-round, feel free to keep feeders up all year.
Tips for Maintaining Your Hummingbird Feeders
Bird feeders need to be clean to stop the spread of disease, and hummingbird feeders tend to need more frequent cleaning than seed feeders because the sugar water can grow bacteria quickly. “Regular cleaning is essential to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold, which can be harmful to hummingbirds,” says Franci Zidar, CEO of Bird Buddy. “In warmer weather, nectar can spoil within 1 to 3 days, so it’s important to monitor the nectar’s condition and change it promptly if it appears cloudy or develops an odor.” It’s easier to monitor its condition if you hang a window hummingbird feeder or use glass hummingbird feeders.
- Cleaning hummingbird feeders is important after every other refill. Disassemble the feeder, scrub the nectar basin with soap and water or soak it in a vinegar-and-water solution, clean the flower ports with a small brush, and thoroughly rinse and dry all parts before reassembly.
- Add an ant moat to deter ants. You can buy a hummingbird feeder with an ant moat or DIY a moat on an existing feeder. Either way, this will keep ants from getting into the nectar and contaminating it
- Periodically check for leaks. Cracks lead to drips that drain the nectar and attract bees, ants, and other insects to the hummingbird feeder. If the seal between the reservoir and feeding ports isn’t properly and tightly aligned, it can also spring a leak.
- Avoid the use of pesticides and other chemicals near hummingbird feeders. Avoid using oils, sprays, petroleum jelly, and tape on the feeder because they can gum up a bird’s beak, rendering it unable to open its mouth, or the bird can get stuck on the adhesive, which can make it unable to fly away.
- Check the rope or chain supporting a hanging bird feeder to ensure its safety. Old, frazzled rope can break, damaging the feeder.
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