Is it too late in the season to put out a hummingbird feeder?

Quick Answer

No, it is not too late in the season to put out a hummingbird feeder. Hummingbirds are still active in the fall and will visit feeders through early November in most parts of the United States. As long as you live in an area with hummingbirds and temperatures are above freezing, it’s worth putting out a feeder to provide food for migrating hummingbirds as they pass through.

When do hummingbirds migrate?

Hummingbirds migrate at different times depending on the species and location. Here are some guidelines for when most hummingbirds migrate:

• Early August to early September – Adult male hummingbirds and some females/juveniles begin migrating south from their breeding grounds in the northern United States and Canada.
• Mid-August to late September – Peak migration period for adult female and juvenile ruby-throated hummingbirds in the eastern United States.
• Mid-September to early November – Peak migration period for rufous and Allen’s hummingbirds in the western United States. These species take a looped migration route along the Pacific Coast.
• October to November – Most hummingbirds have migrated from the northern half of the United States by late October. Some Anna’s and black-chinned hummingbirds overwinter in southeastern states like Texas and Florida.
• November to February – Costa’s and other tropical hummingbird species migrate northward to breeding grounds in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico.

So while many hummingbirds have left northern breeding grounds by early fall, there are still plenty migrating through the mainland United States in September and October.

What foods do hummingbirds eat in fall?

Hummingbirds get most of their nutrition from flower nectar and small insects like spiders and gnats. In the fall, blooming flowers become more scarce, so providing nectar in feeders is especially helpful. Use a liquid nectar recipe made from 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water. Do not use honey, artificial sweeteners, or red food coloring. Hummingbirds also need protein from insects to maintain energy for migration. Consider leaving a few bee balms or other flowers in bloom to attract gnats and spiders around your feeder area.

Tips for attracting migrating hummingbirds

Here are some tips to bring hummingbirds to your feeder in the fall:

• Place feeders in open spaces away from trees and overhangs where predators might lurk. Hummingbirds feel more secure in wide open areas.
• Use red feeders or tie red ribbons on feeders and hang at eye level. Red attracts hummingbirds.
• Clean feeders every 3-5 days with hot water to prevent mold and bacteria. Refill with fresh nectar.
• Provide multiple feeders spread 6-10 feet apart to reduce dominance by territorial hummingbirds.
• Supplement feeders with flowering plants like zinnias, bee balm, and trumpet vines to provide more feeding opportunities.

When to take down hummingbird feeders

In most regions, hummingbird feeders can be kept up through early November. Here are some signs it’s time to remove feeders:

• Nights are getting into the 40s F – hummingbirds burn more energy to keep warm and need food.
• Daytime temperatures drop below freezing – nectar could freeze and hummingbirds may go into torpor.
• You have not seen hummingbirds for over a week – migrating birds have likely moved out of your area.
• Feeders are not being emptied – hummingbirds have stopped visiting as they’ve migrated.

Before removing feeders for the season, take them down and clean well with hot water and vinegar to remove any bacteria or mold before storing.

Hummingbird migration maps

These real-time maps show the approximate locations of hummingbird species during fall migration:

These maps demonstrate that most hummingbirds are still migrating through the continental United States in September and October. Keep an eye on local migration reports and put up feeders while hummingbirds are in your regional area.

Overwintering hummingbird species

Not all hummingbirds migrate in the fall. Some species are year-round residents in warmer climates:

• Anna’s hummingbird – Pacific Coast and southwest desert regions
• Black-chinned hummingbird – Texas, New Mexico, and southern Arizona
• Buff-bellied hummingbird – Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast
• Rufous hummingbird – Coastal and southern California, southeastern Arizona, Louisiana Gulf Coast
• Calliope hummingbird – Southern Arizona and New Mexico
• Broad-tailed hummingbird – Central and southern Arizona
• Allen’s hummingbird – Coastal California

If you live in these warmer climates, keep feeders up year-round as long as hummingbirds are regularly seen. Place feeders in protected microclimates during cold snaps.

How to tell if a hummingbird is migrating

Here are signs a hummingbird visiting your feeder is a migrant versus a local resident:

• Occurs far outside normal range for a species – check range maps
• Does not settle/establish a territory at one feeder
• Only stays briefly – hours to a few days
• Moves through in spring and fall seasons
• May linger longer on bad weather days to refuel
• High energy behavior – urgently feeding

Banding stations along migration routes also attach tiny leg bands to track hummingbirds. Let researchers know if you see any color bands or marked birds at your feeder.

Unusual hummingbird sightings

Several of the 300+ hummingbird species have been known to stray well outside their normal range, especially along migration routes. Here are some of the most exciting vagrant hummingbirds that have been sighted:

• Ruby-throated hummingbird – Seen along the West Coast and Europe
• Rufous hummingbird – Found along the Atlantic Coast and interior Southeast
• Costa’s hummingbird – Rare vagrant through the eastern United States
• Broad-billed hummingbird – Dozens of sightings east of typical Arizona range
• Calliope hummingbird – Ranges east to the Great Lakes during migration
• Buff-bellied hummingbird – North along the Atlantic coast to Massachusetts

Keep an eye out for any hummingbirds that look out of place for your area. Consult an expert bird guide or resource to identify if needed.

Conclusion

Fall hummingbird migration typically extends from mid-August through early November across most of the continental United States. Leaving feeders up into early fall provides essential food for hummingbirds as they pass through on migration. Use fresh nectar, clean feeders regularly, and place in open, secure locations to attract the most migrants. With a little effort, you can create a welcome rest stop for these tiny travelers headed to their distant winter homes. The sight of a migrating hummingbird in your yard is a special wildlife experience to cherish.