How To Enjoy Hummingbirds

Delaware: Attracting and Feeding Hummingbirds – A Complete Guide

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.

Key takeaways

• Ruby‑throated Hummingbird is Delaware’s only regular breeding hummingbird; a few western species visit rarely.

• Put feeders out by early April and keep them up into October to help migrants.

• Use a 4‑to‑1 sugar‑water nectar recipe with no red dye.

• Native, nectar‑rich plants like columbine, red buckeye, trumpet honeysuckle, and cardinal flower are excellent for Ruby‑throats in Delaware.

What hummingbirds live in Delaware?

Delaware has one common hummingbird and a few exciting rarities.

You can explain:

• 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.

• 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:

• 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.

• Summer nesting – Through May, June, July, and August, Ruby‑throats are nesting, raising young, and feeding heavily at flowers and feeders.

• 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.

For readers, you can simplify to:

• Put feeders out by early April so they’re ready when the first migrants pass through.

• 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:

• 1 part white granulated sugar

• 4 parts clean water

Instructions:

• Bring the water to a brief boil.

• Stir in sugar until fully dissolved.

• Let the solution cool to room temperature, then fill feeders.

• Store extra nectar in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Important do’s and don’ts:

• Do use plain white table sugar (sucrose).

• Do not use honey, brown sugar, raw sugar, or artificial sweeteners.

• 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:

• In cooler spring and fall weather, change nectar and clean feeders every 3–4 days.

• In hot, humid summer weather, change nectar every 1–2 days to prevent fermentation and mold.

Cleaning steps:

• Empty leftover nectar.

• Rinse feeders thoroughly with warm or hot water.

• Scrub all surfaces with a bottle brush; use small brushes for ports and seams.

• 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:

• Choose light shade or morning sun/afternoon shade to keep nectar from overheating and spoiling fast.

• Hang feeders near flower beds, shrubs, or small trees, so birds can easily move between natural nectar and feeders.

• Place feeders about 4–6 feet above the ground to deter predators and make maintenance easy.

• 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:

• Use two or more small feeders rather than one big one.

• Place feeders 10–15 feet apart or around corners so a territorial male can’t guard them all at once.

• One of the best Hummingbird feeders that’s easy to take apart and clean is the HummZinger Ultra.

  

  The HummZinger Ultra 12oz Saucer Feeder is one of the best options for a hummingbird feeder that’s both easy to clean and maintain. This top-tier feeder features patented Nectar Guard tips—flexible membranes on the feeding ports that keep flying insects out while still allowing hummingbirds to feed freely. Plus, it comes with an integrated ant moat to prevent crawling insects from reaching the nectar, and the raised flower ports help divert rain, keeping the nectar fresh.

A hummingbird perch is a good way to attract hummingbirds to a particular spot near your feeder

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:

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• Trees and shrubs (structure plus blooms/berries)

  • Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) – red spring blooms that attract hummingbirds.

• ​Canada serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis) – early bloom and summer berries; good structure around hummingbird beds.

• ​Trumpet honeysuckle cultivars (Lonicera sempervirens ‘Magnifica’, ‘Major Wheeler’) – tubular flowers specifically noted as attracting hummingbirds.

• ​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.

• Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) – brilliant red spikes loved by hummingbirds in late summer.

• Great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) – blue counterpart that also attracts hummingbirds.

• 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.

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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.

• Layer plants – Combine low perennials, medium shrubs, and taller trees to offer nectar at different heights plus perches and cover.

• Provide clean water – Use a shallow fountain, dripper, or mister that hummingbirds can fly through, especially in warm weather.
• Consider adding a mister or dripper  to create moving water, which attracts hummingbirds. They often enjoy flying through fine sprays of water.

• ​Limit pesticides – Ruby‑throats eat tiny insects and spiders for protein; reducing pesticide use protects this natural food source.

Here’s our guide to using natural pest control methods for your hummingbird garden. No toxic chemicals necessary!

• Leave some wild corners – A slightly wilder patch with native shrubs and wildflowers offers better cover and insect life than a completely manicured lawn.

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