Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures that bring joy to backyard birders across North America. These tiny birds have metabolisms that require them to eat up to half their body weight in nectar each day! To help support hummingbirds, many people put out feeders full of homemade nectar during spring and summer. However, as temperatures drop in fall, an important question arises: when is the right time to take hummingbird feeders down?
In this article, we’ll walk through the key factors to consider when deciding when to remove hummingbird feeders in fall. Getting the timing right helps support hummingbird health and safety on their incredible migration journeys. We’ll also provide some specific recommendations on take-down dates for different regions.
Why Take Down Hummingbird Feeders in Fall?
Hummingbirds are migratory birds that breed during summer in North America and migrate south to warmer climates in Mexico and Central America for the winter. Here are some of the main reasons it’s important to take down feeders as autumn arrives:
Avoid Delaying Migration
Hummingbirds need natural food sources along their migration route to fuel up for their journey. If feeders are left out too late, hummingbirds may stick around instead of migrating when they should. This risks exposing them to harsh weather, food shortages, and health declines if they delay departure. Taking feeders down prompts hummingbirds to move along on schedule.
Prevent Feeder Dependence
Hummingbirds can become dependent on artificial feeders, especially juveniles born that summer who don’t have strong migration instincts yet. If feeders are left up too long, younger birds may not develop essential survival skills like identifying natural food sources.
Reduce Spread of Disease
Feeders left up too late in fall can promote spread of diseases among hummingbirds still in the area. As natural flowers diminish, more hummingbirds cluster around remaining feeders. Close contact raises risks of transmitting diseases.
Avoid Freezing Temperatures
Nectar in feeders can freeze overnight as temperatures drop in fall. Frozen nectar can be dangerous for hummingbirds and may lead to frostbite or tongue damage. Taking down feeders prevents this risky situation.
Reduce Attacks by Predators
Predators like hawks may lurk near feeders to snatch visiting hummingbirds. As natural food supplies decline, feeders become a concentrated target. Removing feeders reduces this predatory threat.
So in summary, taking feeders down helps prompt migration, prevents dependency, reduces disease transmission, avoids freeze risks, and decreases predation. Now let’s look at optimal timing.
When to Take Hummingbird Feeders Down
The ideal time to remove hummingbird feeders generally falls in a range from late September to early-mid October. However, optimal dates vary by region and latitude. Here are some recommendations:
Northern States and Canada
In northern areas of the U.S. and Canada, most experts recommend taking down hummingbird feeders in late September or early October at the latest. Departure dates are earlier here because birds have farther to travel to reach Central American wintering grounds. Leaving feeders up too late risks stragglers getting caught in early snow or being trapped by freezing temperatures. Target dates:
- Northern states (Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan): September 20-30
- Mid-range states (Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Wyoming, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio): September 25-October 5
- New England/Mid-Atlantic (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania): September 25-October 10
- Southern Canada: September 15-25
Southern States
In southern states, most hummingbirds leave later for migration, some as late as November or December. Here are recommended take down dates:
- Southern states (Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina): October 15-25
- Southwest (Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona): October 10-20
- California: October 10-25 (earlier up north, later down south)
Gulf Coast
Along the Gulf Coast, some hummingbirds may overwinter instead of migrating. If you live in these areas, you can keep feeders up into late fall/early winter, but monitor nectar closely so it doesn’t freeze. Take down by:
- Texas: November-December
- Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida: December-January
Check with local birding groups or nature centers to fine-tune recommended take down dates for your specific area. The key is removing feeders before freezing nights arrive.
Exceptions: Hummingbirds Still Visiting
Sometimes hummingbirds may be slow to depart, especially younger birds or in warmer years. If adults or juveniles are still coming to your feeder in normal numbers after the target take-down date, it’s fine to leave the feeder up for another week or two to give stragglers more time. But monitor visits closely for when activity drops off.
Also, periodically check nectar for freezing and switch to a warmer location if needed. The goal is to avoid trapping any lingering birds. If cooler weather arrives or visits plummet, go ahead and remove the feeder even if a few hummingbirds are still around. They will then seek natural food options to fuel migration.
Removing Feeders: Tips
When the time comes to remove hummingbird feeders:
- Take down feeders and clean thoroughly with a diluted bleach solution before storing to prevent mold.
- Avoid simply emptying feeders, as lingering sugar could freeze and crack the feeder.
- Consider filling another type of bird feeder for migrants and winter residents so some food remains. Just avoid leaving a nectar feeder.
- Don’t worry about suddenly depriving hummingbirds – they will quickly switch to wild nectar sources and insects.
With the feeder down, you can look forward to hummingbirds returning again next spring!
How to Prepare Feeders for Spring
While less urgent than fall take-down, you’ll also want to properly ready your feeders before putting them out again next spring. Follow these tips:
- Disinfect feeders thoroughly before refilling since dormant mold or bacteria may be present after months in storage.
- Make fresh nectar instead of using old sugar water.
- Consider replacing old feeders with new ones every 2-3 years.
- Have feeders up and full by early spring when hummingbirds first arrive back in your area.
- Start with diluted nectar so it’s not too strong if any early arrivals show up while natural flowers are still scarce.
With a clean feeder filled with fresh nectar, you’ll be ready to welcome hummingbirds back in spring!
FAQs
Can leaving a feeder up late hurt hummingbirds?
Yes, keeping feeders up too late in fall carries several risks for hummingbirds that can result in harm or even death. Diseases spread more readily among birds clustered around feeders. Lingering birds may get trapped by storms or sudden freezing temperatures. And delaying migration too long can leave them without enough food energy for the long journey.
What about oriole feeders?
Orioles have similar migration patterns to hummingbirds. Take down orange nectar feeders in fall on the same schedule recommended for hummingbirds in your area.
Do hummingbirds migrate at night?
While they sometimes fly and feed at dawn or dusk, most hummingbird migration happens during daylight hours. Their tiny size makes nighttime migration more hazardous. Impressively, some species fly nonstop 500-600 miles across the Gulf of Mexico!
How long does hummingbird migration take?
The total trip takes roughly 7-9 weeks for most hummingbirds. They usually arrive on wintering grounds by November and begin flying back north by late January or February. Fast fliers in good conditions can complete migration in as few as 3-5 weeks.
What do hummingbirds eat besides nectar?
Hummingbirds get most of their diet from nectar and sugar water, but they also eat insects for protein. In fall, blooming flowers provide vital fuel for migration. Favorite natural foods include bright tubular flowers like bee balm, cardinal flower, and trumpet vine.
Where do hummingbirds go in winter?
Most hummingbirds that breed in the U.S. and Canada migrate to Mexico or Central America for the winter. Some species are long-distance migrants that travel as far south as Panama! Several areas along the Mexican coast and Yucatan Peninsula host huge concentrations of overwintering hummers.
Conclusion
Hummingbird feeders provide an enjoyable way to support these special birds. But it’s vital to take feeders down at the right time in fall and use proper care year-round. Follow the tips in this article to avoid endangering hummingbirds while still enjoying their visits. With attention to migration timing and feeder maintenance, you can turn your yard into a safe haven for hummingbirds to fuel up on their incredible seasonal journeys.
