Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures that bring joy to backyard bird watchers across North America. Their lightning-fast wings beat up to 80 times per second, allowing them to hover in midair and fly backwards or upside down. Hummingbirds have voracious appetites, consuming over half their body weight in nectar each day. To fuel their high metabolism, they must eat every 10-15 minutes from dawn to dusk.
Providing nectar feeders is crucial to help hummingbirds get the calories they need. But when is the right time to start feeding hummingbirds? The answer depends on your location and the hummingbird species that live in or migrate through your area.
When to Start Feeding Hummingbirds in the Southern United States
In the southernmost parts of the United States – states like Florida, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and California – hummingbirds may be present year-round or most of the year. Here are guidelines for these warmer climates:
- If you live in an area with winter-resident hummingbird species, put up feeders in late fall/early winter before those species arrive.
- In areas with year-round Anna’s, Black-chinned, Buff-bellied or Allen’s hummingbirds, leave feeders up continuously.
- Check feeders frequently and clean every 1-2 weeks to prevent mold or bacteria.
The most common winter-resident species in the southern U.S. include:
- Rufous Hummingbird
- Calliope Hummingbird
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird
These migratory hummingbirds start arriving in September or October from their breeding grounds farther north. Putting out feeders in late summer/early fall ensures a food source is waiting when they show up in your yard.
Southern States Hummingbird Arrival and Departure
| State | Arrival Timeframe | Departure Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Late July to Early September | Early April to Mid-May |
| California | Mid-February to Early May | Mid-June to Mid-August |
| Florida | Early March to Late April | Early September to Mid-October |
| New Mexico | Early August to Late September | Early May to Mid-June |
| Texas | Late July to Late September | Early April to Early May |
When to Start Feeding Hummingbirds in the Northern United States
In more northerly states, hummingbirds are only present during the warmer months as they migrate through in spring and fall. Here are guidelines for the northern U.S. and Canada:
- Put up feeders in early spring about 1-2 weeks before hummingbirds normally arrive in your area.
- Take down feeders in late fall after hummingbirds have migrated through.
- Clean feeders every 2-3 days when hummingbirds are present to prevent mold.
In most northern states, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are the primary summer residents. Rufous, Calliope, Broad-tailed and Allen’s Hummingbirds also migrate through the north during spring and fall.
Northern States Hummingbird Arrival and Departure
| State | Arrival Timeframe | Departure Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | Mid-May to Late May | Late July to Late August |
| Illinois | Early April to Early May | September to Early October |
| Michigan | Early May to Mid-May | Late August to Early September |
| Minnesota | Mid-May to Late May | Mid-August to Early September |
| New York | Early May to Mid-May | Late August to Mid-September |
How to Find Your Local Hummingbird Schedule
To determine more precise hummingbird arrival and departure dates for your exact location, here are some tips:
- Consult your state’s ornithological society or bird watching groups. Many have charts online showing when hummingbirds have historically shown up in your county or region.
- Look at birding sites like eBird that compile user-submitted sightings. View checklists submitted near you over recent years.
- Talk to long-time birders in your area to learn from their personal observations.
- Keep your own notes! Record the dates when you first spot hummingbirds each spring and when the last ones depart each fall.
Tracking your local hummingbird calendar over time will help you determine the optimal timeframe to put out feeders.
Preparing Your Hummingbird Feeders
In addition to perfect timing, you’ll want to properly prepare your feeders to attract hummingbirds.
Here are some tips:
- Select the right feeder style – Look for feeders with red bases and multiple feeding ports to accommodate more hummingbirds.
- Use pure cane sugar – Boil 1 part sugar to 4 parts water to make nectar. Don’t use honey, artificial sweeteners or brown sugar.
- Avoid red food dye – Coloring artificial nectar is unnecessary and may be bad for hummingbird health.
- Change nectar weekly – Dump out old nectar to avoid spoilage and clean the feeder with a diluted bleach solution.
- Use bee guards – Attach mesh bee guards to limit bees, wasps and ants from robbing nectar.
- Consider flight paths – Place feeders in open spots with accessible perches and no obstacles in the flight path.
With the right location, timing and feeder setup, you’ll give hummingbirds the best chance to find and use your nectar buffet.
Conclusion
Determining when to start feeding hummingbirds requires knowing your local climate and hummingbird species’ migration patterns. In southern states with year-round birds, leave feeders up continuously. In northern states, put feeders out 1-2 weeks before hummingbirds arrive in spring. Track sightings in your area to pinpoint the ideal start date. With proper timing and feeder preparation, you can provide essential food for hummingbirds as they travel through your neighborhood.
