Hummingbirds are delightful visitors to backyard feeders in the summer months. Their jewel-like colors and energetic movements bring joy as they dart from flower to flower. However, as summer turns to fall and eventually winter, hummingbird enthusiasts often wonder when they should stop refilling their feeders. There are a few factors to consider when deciding when to take down your hummingbird feeders for the season.
When Do Hummingbirds Migrate South?
Hummingbirds are migratory birds that breed in North America during the summer months. As autumn approaches, most hummingbird species begin migrating south to their wintering grounds in Mexico, Central America, and sometimes as far south as South America. Here are some typical hummingbird migration times:
| Species | Migration Period |
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | August – October |
| Rufous Hummingbird | July – September |
| Calliope Hummingbird | August – November |
| Allen’s Hummingbird | August – November |
| Anna’s Hummingbird | October – April |
As you can see, most hummingbirds migrate south by late October or November at the latest. Anna’s hummingbirds that breed along the Pacific Coast are an exception – some individuals and populations may overwinter in their breeding range if food supplies allow.
What Temperature Thresholds Trigger Migration?
Hummingbirds time their migration based on a combination of decreasing daylight, dropping temperatures, and diminishing food supplies. While daylight hours trigger hormonal changes and fat storage in preparation for migration, dropping temperatures and lack of food ultimately spur the birds to depart.
Hummingbirds can become torpid overnight to save energy when temperatures drop below 50°F. However, they are vulnerable in prolonged cold temperatures below freezing. Most hummingbirds will depart the breeding grounds before nighttime temperatures regularly drop below freezing.
Sudden cold snaps or frost events may prompt mass exoduses of hummingbirds still lingering further north. Setting out feeders past the first hard frost may delay southern migration for some birds. However, most experts recommend taking down feeders before freezing weather sets in.
When Do Natural Food Sources Decline?
Hummingbirds get most of their nutrition from flower nectar and small insects. The availability of both these food sources declines as autumn progresses.
Flowers begin fading and frost kills back vegetation, causing nectar supplies to dwindle. Insect populations also start dropping with cooler weather.
By late October and November, natural food sources have declined significantly in most northern breeding areas. This shortage of food is a trigger for hummingbirds to continue migrating south.
However, some hardy flowering plants may still be blooming even after a light frost. And occasional warm periods may cause insects to reemerge temporarily. Periodic warm spells in late autumn can draw hummingbirds back to the area briefly if feeders are still available.
Should Feeders Stay Up Through First Frost?
Many people wonder if they should leave hummingbird feeders up until the first frost date. Here are some pros and cons of leaving feeders up this late:
Pros:
- Gives late-migrating hummingbirds an energy source
- May provide emergency backup food if cold snap causes insect die-off
- Allows observation and photography of hummingbirds before migration
Cons:
- Artificial feeders may discourage migration or delay it
- Sugar water can freeze, causing leaks or breaking feeders
- Exposes hummingbirds to possible hypotermia if temperatures drop
Many experts advise a compromise – leave one or two feeders up until first frost, then promptly remove them and discontinue refilling. This balances helping stragglers against delaying migration.
Signs Your Feeders Are No Longer Needed
How do you know for certain when the hummingbirds have finished migrating from your area? Here are some clues:
- You haven’t seen a hummingbird for a week or more
- Most flowers in your area have finished blooming
- Daytime temperatures are regularly in the 50s Fahrenheit or colder
- Your feeders remain untouched for days at a time
The absence of hummingbirds at your feeders is the #1 sign that they have moved on for the season. Use a one week timeframe as a guide – if a week goes by with no visits, the migration has passed through.
Keep an eye on temperatures too – prolonged freezing at night is a good indicator. Lack of natural food from flowers and insects also signals it’s time for hummers to depart.
Tips For Safely Removing Feeders
Here are some tips for transitioning your hummingbird feeding station for winter:
– Gradually reduce the number of feeders rather than removing them all at once
– Take down feeders on a mild day after a final refilling rather than right before a frost
– Check feeders daily and refrain from refilling frozen ones; bring them inside to thaw
– Make removing feeders a gradual process over one to two weeks to give stragglers notice
– Leave up one last feeder until a week passes with no activity
– Clean and sanitize feeders before storing them away for winter
Going through this gradual removal process will help any late hummingbirds adjust and migrate before food sources run out completely.
Putting Feeders Back Out in Spring
Hummingbirds migrating north in spring often rely on artificial feeders for food before native flowers bloom. Here are some tips for knowing when to put feeders back up:
– In early spring, watch for reports of arriving hummingbirds on websites and social media
– Put out feeders 1-2 weeks before hummingbirds historically return to your area
– Consider setting out feeders starting in early April in the Midwest and South, or mid-April on the West Coast
– Prepare a nectar solution with 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water
– Start with a few feeders and increase numbers as more hummingbirds arrive
Having your feeders ready and waiting will provide a welcoming oasis for hummingbirds fueling up after their long migration. Enjoy their return to your yard!
Conclusion
Determining when to remove hummingbird feeders depends on a variety of factors like migration timing, temperature changes, natural food availability, and activity at your feeders. Most experts recommend keeping feeders up until about a week after the first frost date in autumn, then gradually transitioning to winter by removing feeders over 7-14 days. Watch for lack of activity at feeders, sustained freezing temperatures, and lack of flowers and insects to confirm the migration has passed. With a little planning, you can provide a helpful food source for both migrating and returning hummingbirds.
