Do hummingbirds use feeders after dark?

Hummingbirds are known for their ability to hover and fly backwards, making them unique among birds. They have high metabolisms and need to eat frequently, relying on nectar as their main food source. This has led many people to put up hummingbird feeders in their yards to attract these tiny birds. But do hummingbirds continue using feeders after the sun goes down?

Do hummingbirds feed at night?

Hummingbirds are diurnal, meaning they are active during the daytime. They typically do not feed at night for a few reasons:

• Their vision is adapted for daylight hours. Hummingbirds have decent night vision compared to other birds, but they still struggle to see well in low light conditions.
• Flowers that provide nectar are not open at night. Hummingbirds rely on nectar from flowers as their main food source, so there is less natural food available after dark.
• It is more dangerous. Nighttime brings predators like owls that are able to hunt better in darkness. Hummingbirds are vulnerable due to their small size, so avoiding night activity helps with safety.
• They become torpid. Hummingbirds can enter a deep sleep state called torpor at night to conserve energy. This temporarily lowers their body temperature and metabolic rate, making feeding difficult.

So while it is not impossible for hummingbirds to feed at unusual hours, their behavior and physiology make them strongly inclined to sleep at night.

Do hummingbirds use feeders before sunrise and after sunset?

Even though hummingbirds are not generally active after dark, some people have noticed hummingbirds visiting feeders very early in the morning before sunrise or later in the evening near sunset.

There are a couple reasons this may occur:

• Low light conditions. In the dim light of dawn or dusk, hummingbirds can spot nearby feeders and access the nectar while still being able to see reasonably well. This seems to be preferred over total darkness.
• Extending feeding time. Hummingbirds may opportunistically take advantage of any extra minutes of light in the morning and evening to squeeze in more feeding time. This helps them get the calories and nutrition they need.
• Artificial lights. Yard lights, lamps, or other artificial light sources near feeders can allow hummingbirds to spot and access them in early morning or evening.

So while hummingbirds are not nocturnal, they will take advantage of any available light to extend their feeding times slightly beyond their typical daylight hours.

Do hummingbirds drink from feeders at night during migration?

Hummingbirds migrate long distances, flying hundreds or even thousands of miles between their summer breeding grounds and their winter homes. This takes a huge amount of energy. Ruby-throated hummingbirds, one of the most common North American species, may beat their wings up to 70 times per second during migration and fly nonstop for over 20 hours.

This intense physical exertion requires refueling along the migration route. Some dedicated hummingbird enthusiasts and researchers have directly observed hummingbirds visiting feeders after dark during migration seasons, likely driven by extreme hunger.

However, this behavior seems to be quite rare. While a daytime feeding frenzy is common at feeders in migration stopover spots, most evidence indicates hummingbirds try to conserve energy overnight by entering torpor.

So night feeding does occasionally occur in migrating hummingbirds when their energy needs force them to seek out food after dark. But they much prefer to rest at night and satisfy their high metabolism with rapid daylight feeding.

Strategies to attract early and late hummingbirds

For people who want to provide easy access to supplemental food for migrating hummingbirds or observe early and late hummingbird activity, there are a few strategies to try:

• Place feeders in brightly lit areas. Light from porch lights and other outdoor fixtures will help hummingbirds spot feeders in dim conditions.
• Use red feeders. Red coloration makes feeders more visible for hummingbirds in low light when other colors fade.
• Keep feeders fresh. Make sure feeders are clean, and nectar is freshly made so hummingbirds are eager to drink it.
• Provide shelter. Nearby trees, shrubs, or artificial shelters give hummingbirds a safe place to rest at night near food.
• Supplement with insects. Hummingbirds also eat small insects for protein. A nightlight above a water feature may attract insects and hummingbirds.

With some creativity and patience, you can increase your odds of observing hummingbird behavior outside of their normal daylight feeding habits.

The best hummingbird feeders for early and late usage

If attempting to spot hummingbirds at your feeders very early in the morning or later at dusk, some feeder features are especially helpful:

The most important features of a good early/late hummingbird feeder are visibility and easy access. Bright colors, lighting elements, specialized perch designs, and transparent construction can all help attract hummingbirds outside of typical daylight feeding activity.

Conclusion

While hummingbirds are active during the day and get most of their nutrition then, they will occasionally visit feeders very early in the morning or later in the evening when light conditions allow. This is especially true during migration, when they are burning huge amounts of energy travelling and will feed whenever possible. Using bright colors and lights and keeping feeders clean and full can encourage this off-hours use. So if you want a chance to see hummingbird behavior outside their normal schedule, try some crepuscular and nocturnal feeding strategies!