Delaware: Attracting and Feeding Hummingbirds – A Complete Guide
Key takeaways
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Ruby‑throated Hummingbird is Delaware’s only regular breeding hummingbird; a few western species visit rarely.
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Put feeders out by early April and keep them up into October to help migrants.
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Use a 4‑to‑1 sugar‑water nectar recipe with no red dye.
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Native, nectar‑rich plants like columbine, red buckeye, trumpet honeysuckle, and cardinal flower are excellent for Ruby‑throats in Delaware.
Delaware is a small state on a big hummingbird highway.
Each spring and summer, Ruby‑throated Hummingbirds stop, feed, and nest in yards, parks, and wildlife refuges across the First State, especially along woodland edges and gardens.
This guide covers when hummingbirds arrive and leave Delaware, how to feed them safely, and which native plants will keep them visiting your yard.
What hummingbirds live in Delaware?
Delaware has one common hummingbird and a few exciting rarities.
You can explain:
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Ruby‑throated Hummingbird – Delaware’s only regular, native breeding species. It arrives each spring to nest and is the hummingbird most people see at feeders and flowers.
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Occasional western visitors – Rufous, Black‑chinned, and Calliope Hummingbirds are considered rare or accidental visitors in Delaware, typically appearing only occasionally, often during migration or in late fall.
For this article we will focus fully on Ruby‑throats while noting that a “surprise” western hummingbird is possible but rare.
When do hummingbirds visit Delaware?
Delaware sits in the Mid‑Atlantic migration route for Ruby‑throated Hummingbirds.
Typical timing:
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Spring arrival – Ruby‑throated Hummingbirds usually reach Delaware from March into early May, with many local sources noting arrival from early–mid April as a good expectation.
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Summer nesting – Through May, June, July, and August, Ruby‑throats are nesting, raising young, and feeding heavily at flowers and feeders.
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Fall migration and departure – Most Ruby‑throats begin leaving Delaware in late August and September, with many gone by early October as they migrate toward the Gulf Coast and Central America.
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Put feeders out by early April so they’re ready when the first migrants pass through.
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Keep feeders up until at least early October; many birders simply leave them up until about two weeks after their last hummingbird sighting.
Best nectar recipe for Delaware hummingbirds
The nectar recipe is the same in Delaware as everywhere else.
Use the standard formula:
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1 part white granulated sugar
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4 parts clean water
Instructions:
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Bring the water to a brief boil.
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Stir in sugar until fully dissolved.
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Let the solution cool to room temperature, then fill feeders.
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Store extra nectar in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Important do’s and don’ts:
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Do use plain white table sugar (sucrose).
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Do not use honey, brown sugar, raw sugar, or artificial sweeteners.
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Do not add red dye; feeder color is enough to attract Ruby‑throats.
How often to clean feeders in Delaware
Delaware’s warm, humid summers can make nectar spoil quickly, so cleaning frequency matters.
Recommended schedule:
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In cooler spring and fall weather, change nectar and clean feeders every 3–4 days.
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In hot, humid summer weather, change nectar every 1–2 days to prevent fermentation and mold.
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Guide for when to change the nectar
Letting the nectar ferment encourages mold growth, which makes the cleaning process more difficult. To avoid this, follow the chart below for recommended nectar changes based on the temperature. The hotter it gets, the more frequently you’ll need to replace the nectar.
High temperatures…………Change after
71-75……………………………6 days
76-80……………………………5 days
81-84……………………………4 days
85-88……………………………3 days
89-92……………………………2 days
93+………………………………change daily
Cleaning steps:
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Empty leftover nectar.
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Rinse feeders thoroughly with warm or hot water.
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Scrub all surfaces with a bottle brush; use small brushes for ports and seams.
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For stubborn mold, soak in a mild vinegar‑and‑water solution (about 1:4), then rinse very well and let dry before refilling.
This fits the general “keep it fresh and clean” guidance used by national and regional hummingbird experts.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you clean your hummingbird feeder especially for those times when the nectar is not changed soon enough and mold starts to grow.
Where to hang hummingbird feeders in Delaware
A good feeder location is important for both hummingbird safety and viewing.
Helpful placement ideas:
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Choose light shade or morning sun/afternoon shade to keep nectar from overheating and spoiling fast.
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Hang feeders near flower beds, shrubs, or small trees, so birds can easily move between natural nectar and feeders.
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Place feeders about 4–6 feet above the ground to deter predators and make maintenance easy.
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Keep feeders some distance from large reflective windows to reduce collision risk.
- Here’s a great article that tells everything you need to know about how to choose the best place to hang your hummingbird feeder
To reduce fighting among hummingbirds:
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Use two or more small feeders rather than one big one.
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Place feeders 10–15 feet apart or around corners so a territorial male can’t guard them all at once.
Learn how hummingbird aggression impacts your backyard. This video explores territorial behavior and offers practical solutions for attracting more hummingbirds to your feeders. Discover several helpful strategies to encourage a more harmonious environment.
Native plants that attract hummingbirds in Delaware
Native plants are the backbone of a good hummingbird yard in Delaware.
They provide nectar, insects, and shelter that match local soils and climate.
The Delaware Nature Society’s “Plants for Bird Gardens” guide highlights several shrubs and perennials that help hummingbirds:
Trees and shrubs that provide structure plus blooms and berries
- Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) – red spring blooms that attract hummingbirds.
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Canada serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis) – early bloom and summer berries; good structure around hummingbird beds.
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Trumpet honeysuckle cultivars (Lonicera sempervirens ‘Magnifica’, ‘Major Wheeler’) – tubular flowers specifically noted as attracting hummingbirds.
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Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) – not a nectar plant, but provides cover, nesting potential, and berries for other birds, enriching overall habitat.
Perennials and wildflowers (direct nectar sources)
- Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) – spring blooms that match early Ruby‑throat arrivals.
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Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) – brilliant red spikes loved by hummingbirds in late summer.
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Great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) – blue counterpart that also attracts hummingbirds.
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Other Eastern hummingbird favorites like bee balm and native salvias, which are widely recommended for the region.
Suggestion: Group these in 3–5‑plant clumps so hummingbirds can easily find them and feed efficiently, instead of planting single scattered stems.
Creating a hummingbird‑friendly yard in Delaware
Delaware yards can be valuable stepping stones on a long migration route. Here are some important guidelines for planting your Delaware hummingbird garden.
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Layer plants – Combine low perennials, medium shrubs, and taller trees to offer nectar at different heights plus perches and cover.
Here’s a compact Delaware‑friendly layered planting example:
In a typical Delaware backyard, you can create a layered hummingbird border along a 10‑ to 15‑foot fence or property line. In the back layer, plant 2–3 native shrubs or small trees such as red buckeye and serviceberry, spaced about 6–8 feet apart to provide vertical structure, perches, and early blossoms. In front of them, add a middle row of flowering shrubs and vines—like trumpet honeysuckle on a trellis and a few summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) or buttonbush in any moist spots—spaced 3–4 feet apart for dense bloom and insect life. Along the front edge, weave a low strip of wild columbine, bee balm, and cardinal flower, planting clumps every 18–24 inches so something is blooming from spring through early fall. This simple three‑layer layout fits a small Delaware yard yet gives Ruby‑throated Hummingbirds safe cover, perches, and a continuous nectar buffet right at eye level for easy viewing.
Plan for blooms from spring through fall
Include early, mid‑season, and late‑blooming plants so something is always flowering when hummingbirds are present in Delaware. Plant in groups or drifts rather than single plants so hummingbirds can feed efficiently and find flowers more easily.
My special guide, The Art of Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Yard, gives you ready‑made lists of hummingbird‑attracting plants that bloom in spring, summer, and fall. It makes it simple to choose plants that keep nectar available from the time the first hummingbirds arrive until the last migrants leave in the fall, with suggestions for both sun and shade so you can match your own growing conditions.
Use feeders to supplement, not replace, flowers
Feeders are a great backup food source, especially during cold snaps or when natural blooms are between flushes. Hang them where they’re visible from flower beds so hummingbirds can move naturally between nectar plants and sugar water.
One of the best hummingbird feeders that’s easy to take apart and 
clean is the HummZinger Ultra 12‑oz Saucer Feeder. The saucer design makes it simple to see the nectar level at a glance and to reach every corner when you wash it, which is a big help during warm spells when nectar must be changed often. Its patented Nectar Guard tips are flexible membranes over each port that keep flying insects out while still allowing hummingbirds to feed freely, so you spend less time fighting bees and wasps around the feeder. A built‑in ant moat stops crawling insects before they reach the nectar, and the raised flower ports help divert rainwater so the nectar stays fresh longer.
Follow good feeder hygiene—use the 4‑to‑1 sugar‑water recipe and clean often—to keep birds healthy and complement your plantings. My step‑by‑step guide to cleaning your hummingbird feeder shows you exactly how to remove mold, how often to change nectar at different temperatures, and which brushes and ant moats make the job easier, plus tips for dealing with bees and ants so your feeders stay safe and attractive.
Provide safe perches and nesting cover
Keep some shrubs, small deciduous trees, and a few dead or thin branches where hummingbirds can rest, display, and build nests. Avoid pruning everything into neat, bare shapes; a slightly softer outline with twiggy tips gives birds more places to sit.
A hummingbird perch or swing is an easy way
to bring hummingbirds to a particular spot near your feeder. Hummingbirds may look like they’re always in motion, but they actually spend a surprising amount of time sitting still between feeding bouts, using perches to rest, preen, digest nectar, and keep watch over their favorite food sources. A simple swing or decorative perch placed a few feet from your feeder gives them a comfortable “guard post” and brings them right into view where you can enjoy them up close. Many people find that once birds adopt a swing as their regular lookout perch, they stay in the yard longer and make more frequent, relaxed visits.
Avoid heavy pruning during nesting season and leave a few “messy” corners with twigs, lichens, and spider webs that birds use for nest building.
Offer water in a way hummingbirds like
Most people focus on feeders and flowers, but the right water feature can turn your yard into a hummingbird hangout. Hummingbirds prefer shallow, moving water—fine sprays, mists, and droplets on leaves—over deep, still birdbaths. Add a mister, dripper, or fine spray so hummingbirds can bathe in moving droplets on leaves or in a shallow basin.
Consider adding a mister to create a gentle cloud of moving water; 
hummingbirds often fly back and forth through the mist, spreading their wings and tails to bathe without getting waterlogged. Place misters near shrubs or small trees so the droplets collect on leaves, giving birds multiple places to sip and bathe.
You can also install a shallow birdbath with gently sloping edges with gently sloping edges—no more than about an inch of water—gives hummingbirds a place to sip and splash at the edge.
Position water features near, but not directly over, key flower beds so birds can move easily between bathing and feeding.
Position water features near, but not directly over, key flower beds so birds can move easily between bathing and feeding.
My detailed guide, How to Use Water Features to Attract Hummingbirds, walks you through the exact kinds of misters, drippers, and shallow baths hummingbirds prefer, how deep and how strong the water flow should be, where to place everything so birds feel safe, and how to keep it all clean without spending a lot of money.
Skip pesticides and let insects thrive
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Avoid or greatly limit pesticides, especially systemic insecticides, because hummingbirds and their chicks rely heavily on tiny insects and spiders for protein.
- A healthy, chemical‑free yard with native plants will naturally support more insects, which means more high‑quality food for hummingbirds.
This article Natural Pest Control Methods for Your Hummingbird Garden shows readers they don’t have to choose between a healthy hummingbird garden and effective pest control. It explains exactly how to prevent and manage pests using natural methods—companion planting, encouraging “good bugs,” organic sprays like garlic, pepper, and neem, physical barriers, and smart traps—so they protect their plants without poisoning hummingbirds or the insects they eat. It also gives clear, season‑by‑season checklists and safety tips (like where not to spray, how to avoid harming pollinators, and how to keep pest control away from nests and feeders), making it easy to follow even if you’re new to organic gardening. If you want fewer pests, stronger plants, and a garden that’s truly safe for hummingbirds from spring through fall, this is the article for you!
Keep Insects Away From Your Feeder
Bees, wasps, and ant trails can quickly take over a hummingbird feeder, but you don’t have to give up and bring the feeder in. This guide How to Keep Bees and Ants Away From Your Hummingbird Feeder walks you through the safest, most effective ways to keep pests out of your nectar—using ant moats, bee‑resistant feeders, smarter placement, and even “decoy” feeders that draw insects away—so the sugar water stays clean and available for hummingbirds only. If you’re tired of fighting swarms on your feeders and want a simple plan that actually works, This guide is your proven answer!
Common hummingbird questions in Delaware
When should I put out hummingbird feeders in Delaware?
Have feeders ready by early April so you’re set for Ruby‑throated Hummingbirds arriving between March and early May.
When do hummingbirds leave Delaware?
Most Ruby‑throated Hummingbirds leave Delaware by September, although a few may linger into early October as they migrate south.
Do feeders keep hummingbirds from migrating?
No. Migration is driven mainly by day length and internal changes, not by feeder availability. Feeders simply offer extra energy during spring and fall migration.
Are there hummingbirds in Delaware in winter?
Ruby‑throats are not regular winter residents in Delaware, but a rare western species (like Rufous) may occasionally be reported at feeders in late fall or winter.
For more on hummingbird habitat, health, and conservation from leading experts, see these resources from the U.S. Forest Service, major hummingbird conservation organizations, and university research programs.
USDA Forest Service – Hummingbird habitat guides
Main hub with regional PDFs (Eastern, California, Colorado/Wyoming/South Dakota, Alaska, etc.) that back up your habitat and native‑plant advice.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/pollinators/animals/hummingbird-guides.shtml
Hummingbird Conservation Networks (formerly Hummingbird Monitoring Network)
Conservation non‑profit focused on monitoring, research, and community‑based hummingbird conservation across the Americas.
https://savehummingbirds.org
International Hummingbird Society
Long‑running global hummingbird conservation and education group; good for big‑picture “why they matter” and habitat expansion messages.
https://www.hummingbirdsociety.org
If you’re curious how your state compares to other parts of the country, you can see arrival and departure times for every state in my main guide, “When to Feed Hummingbirds: A State‑by‑State Guide.” It’s a handy overview if you travel, have relatives in other states, or just want to understand the bigger migration picture.
Delaware Expert Resource Guide
“Discover When Hummingbirds Leave Delaware” at https://a-z-animals.com/blog/discover-when-hummingbirds-leave-delaware/,
together with broader migration‑timing context from the spring and fall maps at https://www.hummingbirdcentral.com/hummingbird-migration-spring-2025-map.htm
and https://www.hummingbird-guide.com/hummingbird-migration.html.
For native plants and garden design ideas that support hummingbirds and other birds in Delaware yards, use Delaware Nature Society’s “Plants for Bird Gardens” PDF at https://delawarenaturesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/DelNature-Native-Plant-Gardening-For-Birds.pdf,
which highlights hummingbird favorites such as red buckeye, trumpet vine, trumpet honeysuckle, wild columbine, and cardinal flower.
