If you miss the first hummingbirds to arrive each spring, you could lose an entire season of visitors. These little birds migrate thousands of miles to very specific locations. If your feeder is not ready when they arrive, they will make the decision to move on to another yard. If you want to get the timing right, you will need to understand the migration patterns and trust your calendar over the thermometer. Be ready to put your feeders out earlier than you expect.
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Hummingbirds come in the spring when there aren’t many natural food sources available. The first flowers may not have opened yet, and another important source of food – insects – hasn’t fully emerged. Those first scouts rely on feeders to refuel because of their long migration. If your yard is empty, they won’t stick around. Hummingbirds establish feeding territories fast, and when they have a consistent source of food elsewhere, it’s very unlikely they will add your yard to their routes.
Hummingbirds can remember spots with food and will come back year after year. If you put up a feeder after their scouting, you probably won’t get any visitors until next year. The birds that do see the feeder first will defend it from other birds and their young will come to the feeder as well.
The Regional Migration Timeline: Find Out When Hummingbirds Arrive in Your Area
If you know the timeline for the northward March migration of Ruby-throated hummingbirds, the most frequent species east of the Rockies, you can estimate when to put your feeders out depending on your location.
Gulf Coast states (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida): Hummingbirds start showing up from the end of February to the middle of March. The latest you should put out your feeders is at the end of February.
In Southern states which include Georgia, South Carolina, Arkansas, and Tennessee, expect arrivals from mid March to the beginning of April. Start preparing your feeders by the beginning of March.
Mid-Atlantic and lower Midwest (North Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri): Birds usually show up during the first half of April. Put out feeders by the end of March.
Northeast and upper Midwest (New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin): Hummingbirds arrive in these regions from the end of April to the beginning of May. Set up your feeders in mid-April.
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Northern states and Canada (Maine, Minnesota, Ontario): Peak arriving time is at the end of May. Make sure feeders are ready by early May.
Timing changes depending on elevation and species across the western United States. In several places along the Pacific Coast, Anna's hummingbirds stay all year; however, rufous hummingbirds start migrating northward across the West in March and April. Please contact local Audubon chapters or regional birding organizations to learn about the specific timelines of different species in your region.
Don't Wait For Weather To Get Warm To Set Up
Many backyard birders make the mistake of waiting until the weather is warm to put out hummingbird feeders. Hummingbirds migrate because of *time* and *light* stimuli and, unlike other birds, don't consider the weather. They will arrive in your area even if there is a late season freeze.
While the weather can be unfavorable, ruby-throated hummingbirds will push through to arrive in their anticipated locations. As soon as the first Ruby-throated hummingbird arrives, it can be difficult for other hummingbirds to make the journey to the North. Your hummingbird feeders provide life sustaining nectar in the face of chilly spring weather. Thank you for providing a crucial food source during the early spring migration!
A good rule of thumb is to set out your feeder two weeks before you expect the birds to show up in your area. This makes sure you have set out the feeder ahead of those early scouts. In the Southeast, you’ll likely have to set out your feeders by early March, even if it is still chilly in the mornings. In the Northeast, it is best to target mid-April, even if there is still snow on the ground.
Fresh nectar is most important during early morning and late evening hours because those are when the hummingbirds feed the most. They will appreciate you placing out fresh nectar in the morning and evening more than having the nectar available to them for a full 24 hours. Plus, you don't have to worry about freezing nectar at night. Just bring the feeder in at night and put it back outside during the morning.
Transform One Feeder Into a Hummingbird Haven
A single hummingbird feeder is pretty good to start out. The simple models with red accents allow for easy cleaning and have a good capacity for early spring. An 8 ounce feeder will reduce waste while you have only a few visitors.
Hummingbirds like to rest while feeding, so set up your feeders somewhere they'll be able to perch and around obstructions like branches or wires. Placing feeders in the shade will keep nectar from spoiling and being able to watch the birds from the window and easily refill nectar is a plus!
You can create nectar by mixing 4 parts water to 1 part sugar and boiling the mixture. After the sugar dissolves, allow the mixture to cool before filling your feeder. Do not use honey, artificial sweeteners, or red dye. Change the nectar every 3-5 days if it is cool outside and once the temperature rises above 70°F change it every 1-2 days.
After hummingbirds find your feeder, and begin to visit your feeder regularly, try placing a second feeder in another location. Having multiple feeding stations will reduce territorial disputes while attracting even more birds. Place your feeders apart enough that no single dominant male will be able to defend all of the feeders at once.
You can attract hummingbirds for a longer period by planting additional native plants. These plants will provide their own nectar sources. Great native Eastern garden plants include Cardinal Flower, Bee Balm, Trumpet Vine, and Columbine. Not only will these plants attract more birds, they will also support them when you eventually take down your hummingbird feeders for the fall. For the best, most sustainable hummingbird habitat, use a combination of native flowering plants and feeder plants. It will transform each feeder into a true hummingbird haven and bring these amazing migratory birds back year after year.
Happy birding!
