While hummingbirds migrate south for the winter, leaving behind their usual food sources, some hardy hummingbirds will overwinter in northern climes. For these intrepid hummingbirds, providing food and shelter can mean the difference between life and death. With proper care and preparation, you can leave hummingbird feeders out through the winter to nourish overwintering hummingbirds.
Preparing Your Feeders for Winter
The most important consideration for winter hummingbird feeding is preventing the nectar from freezing. Once the temperature drops below freezing, nectar will turn to ice and become unavailable for hummingbirds. There are a couple strategies to prevent freezing:
- Use feeders with built-in heaters. These feeders have heating elements in the base to keep the nectar from freezing in cold weather.
- Bring feeders inside at night and place them back out in the mornings once temperatures rise above freezing.
In addition to preventing freezing, here are some other tips for winter hummingbird feeders:
- Use a nectar mix with a higher sugar concentration (1 part sugar to 3 parts water) to provide more energy for wintering hummingbirds.
- Clean feeders thoroughly before winter to prevent mold growth in the nectar.
- Place feeders in a sheltered spot out of the wind and winter precipitation.
- Provide extra feeders to accommodate winter territorial behavior where hummingbirds guard feeders more aggressively.
Providing Winter Shelter for Hummingbirds
In addition to food sources, overwintering hummingbirds need shelter from the cold and snow. You can provide winter shelter by:
- Leaving seed pods and dried flower stems intact in gardens for roosting spots.
- Placing wooden nesting boxes or roosting baskets in protected areas.
- Letting vines and tree branches with peeling bark remain for hiding spots.
- Planting dense evergreen trees or shrubs to block wind.
Ensure any roosting boxes are cleaned prior to winter and placed in sunny, south facing spots sheltered from precipitation and wind.
Attracting Overwintering Hummingbirds
Not all areas have overwintering hummingbird populations. Here are some tips to make your yard attractive for wintering hummingbirds:
- Provide nectar plants that bloom late or have persistent flowers through fall.
- Add plants with berries or seed pods that persist into winter.
- Include plenty of nectar sources planted in a natural looking arrangement.
- Place feeders and shelter near adequate winter food supplies.
- Keep feeders up through early spring as hummingbirds migrate back north.
Native plants that support overwintering hummingbirds include coral honeysuckle, pineapple sage, flowering maples, fuchsias, and manzanita. Avoid pruning plants in fall to preserve winter flower buds and food sources.
Identifying Overwintering Hummingbird Species
In most northern regions, the Ruby-throated is the only hummingbird species that commonly overwinters. However, some western species like Anna’s, Black-chinned, Rufous, and Allen’s hummingbirds may overwinter in mild Pacific coastal climates.
Distinguishing winter hummingbird species can be tricky, but in general:
- Ruby-throated have bright ruby red throats (males) and lack rufous coloration.
- Rufous Hummingbirds have extensive rusty red coloration on their backs and bellies.
- Anna’s Hummingbirds have dark rose pink throats and white spotting on tail feathers.
- Black-chinned have purple patches at the base of their throats.
Caring for Sick or Injured Overwintering Hummingbirds
Harsh winter conditions can sometimes cause injury or illness in overwintering hummingbirds. Signs of distress include:
- Feathers puffed up for long periods
- Sitting still on the ground or feeders
- Visible injuries or disabilities
If you observe any distressed behaviors, you can attempt to capture the hummingbird with a lightweight net or towel and place it in a ventilated box indoors. Provide emergency nectar via eyedropper and contact a wildlife rehabilitation center for advice and care. With quick intervention, injured hummingbirds can often recover and be released after winter passes.
When to Take Down Hummingbird Feeders
Ideally, keep feeders up as long as any overwintering hummingbirds remain in your area. In most regions, hummingbirds will stop visiting feeders regularly by late February or March as natural food sources become more abundant. However, it’s advisable to keep monitoring feeders into early April in case any stragglers pass through on their way north. Taking down clean feeders by mid-April reduces chances of them becoming sources of mold and bacteria growth over the hot summer.
Special Considerations for Different Winter Severity
Northern climates with more severe winters may only host overwintering hummingbirds in occasional mild seasons. Hang at least one feeder in a protected spot and monitor it through early winter. If no activity is observed after repeated freezing, the feeder can be taken down until late winter/early spring migration occurs. For regions with longer winter daylight hours, consider supplemental lighting on dawn-to-dusk timer switches to provide a consistent nectar source.
In southern warmer climates, hummingbirds may never migrate away. Continue normal feeding and provide shelter through winter months. Monitor sugar ratios and cleaning frequency to prevent spoilage. Also consider placing some feeders in shaded spots to help regulate nectar temperatures.
FAQs
What do hummingbirds eat in winter other than feeders?
In the wild, wintering hummingbirds rely on any remaining flowers, flower buds, insects, tree sap, and juices from fruit. Providing feeders supplements limited natural food sources.
How often should I clean winter feeders?
Clean winter feeders at least once per week. The colder temperatures can slow mold growth, but regular cleaning is still important.
Should I provide heating sources beyond heated feeders?
In most cases, heated feeders or bringing feeders in overnight provides adequate winter feeding conditions. Only attempt additional heating sources like heat lamps if temperatures remain below zero Fahrenheit for extended periods.
Can I leave feeders up while away over winter?
Only leave feeders up while away in winter if you have someone local who can monitor and refill them in your absence. Freezing, leaking, or empty feeders can harm overwintering hummingbirds.
How do I know if hummingbirds are still near my feeders in winter?
Check feeders periodically for activity, listen for hummingbird chirps, and look for hummingbirds roosting in nearby trees and shrubs overnight. Tracking nectar consumption can also indicate if birds are present.
