Many people enjoy watching hummingbirds visit their feeders and flowering plants during the spring and summer. However, as fall approaches, some people wonder if they should continue feeding hummingbirds. The answer is yes, you should keep your hummingbird feeders up and filled through the fall months. Here’s why.
Do Hummingbirds Migrate Through My Area in Fall?
Hummingbirds are migratory birds that breed during the summer in the United States and Canada and migrate south to Mexico and Central America for the winter. Not all hummingbirds migrate at the same time or take the same route. Some hummingbird species, like ruby-throated hummingbirds on the East Coast, travel south along the Atlantic Flyway through Florida. Anna’s and rufous hummingbirds on the West Coast follow routes down the Pacific Flyway. Other hummingbirds, like calliope and broad-tailed, migrate through the Rocky Mountains and Southwest deserts.
So even though the hummingbirds that nested in your yard may leave by early fall, other hummingbirds migrating through your area rely on nectar for energy as they pass through. Leaving feeders up in the fall helps provide food for migrating hummers stopping at your garden.
Do Hummingbirds Need to Fatten Up in Fall?
Yes, hummingbirds need to gain significant fat reserves in the fall to survive their long migration and have energy to spare when they reach their winter grounds.
Migration is energetically expensive for hummingbirds. Their tiny bodies can lose 10% of their body weight just overnight during migration. And a ruby-throated hummingbird may burn up to 3 times its body weight in fat each day of migration.
That’s why feeding hummingbirds in fall is critical. The nectar from flowers and feeders provides essential carbohydrates hummingbirds need to build fat stores for migration.
When Do Hummingbirds Migrate Through My Area?
| State or Region | Fall Migration Period |
|---|---|
| Northeast | August – October |
| Midwest | August – October |
| Southeast | September – November |
| Southwest | July – October |
| West Coast | July – December |
The timing of fall hummingbird migration depends on your location, but typically occurs anywhere from July through December across the United States. Use this table as a general guide for when to expect migrant hummingbirds passing through your region.
What is the Best Fall Nectar for Hummingbirds?
Fill your feeders with a homemade nectar solution of 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water. Do not use brown sugar, honey, or artificial sweeteners, which are unhealthy for hummingbirds. Boil the water first to eliminate impurities. Let the solution cool before filling feeders.
Avoid adding red food coloring to the nectar. Research shows colored dye can be toxic to hummingbirds over time. A clear nectar solution is perfect for attracting migrating hummingbirds in fall.
Be sure to change the nectar every 2-3 days to prevent fermentation and bacterial growth. Rinse feeders with hot water only, no soap, before refilling.
What Flowers Do Hummingbirds Like in Fall?
Hang a feeder in a bright location with partial shade near red, orange, and yellow flowering plants that hummers are attracted to in the fall, including:
- Trumpet creeper
- Bee balm
- Cardinal flower
- Salvia
- Canna lily
- Butterfly bush
- Firebush
- Coral honeysuckle
- Mexican sunflower
- Autumn sage
If there are no flowers available, migrate hummingbirds will readily visit feeders. But having flowers in your garden provides essential protein and nutrients hummingbirds need for their journey.
When to Take Down Hummingbird Feeders
Many people wonder when is the right time to remove their hummingbird feeders in the fall. Here are some tips on when to stop feeding hummingbirds based on your location:
Northeast
In states like New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, most ruby-throated hummingbirds finish migrating south by late October. Take down your last feeders once you have not seen any hummingbirds for one week in late October.
Southeast
In southern states like Louisiana, Georgia, and South Carolina, leave feeders up through October for migrating ruby-throats and rufous hummingbirds. Take down feeders by early November once hummingbird sightings decline.
Midwest
In Midwest states like Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, hummingbird migration continues into October. Leave feeders up through late October and remove any remaining ones in early November after hummingbird activity stops.
Southwest
In southwest states like Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas that host large populations of rufous and calliope hummingbirds, continue feeding into December. Only remove feeders once migrating hummingbirds disappear by late December.
West Coast
California and Pacific Northwest states like Oregon and Washington may have Anna’s and rufous hummingbirds migrating through into December or even January. Keep feeders up as long as hummingbirds appear. Take down last feeders in late December or January.
Conclusion
Fall hummingbird migration is a wonderful time to see different species passing through your area on their way south. Leaving your feeders up and filled through the fall provides essential energy for the long journey ahead. With a little understanding of when hummingbirds migrate in your region, you can directly support these tiny travelers.
While local hummingbirds may depart your garden by late summer, remember that millions more need your help on their migratory path. So keep your nectar feeders clean, filled, and up through the entire fall season. Your efforts may give migrating hummingbirds the boost they need to complete their incredible migration.
