Hummingbirds are among the most captivating visitors to backyard feeders, with their dazzling colors and rapid wingbeats. These tiny birds undertake incredible migrations each year, traveling thousands of miles between their wintering grounds in Central America and their breeding territories across North America. To support these remarkable journeys, it’s important to know when to put out your hummingbird feeders. Timing your feeder placement correctly ensures that these birds have access to much-needed energy as they pass through your area.
The table below provides a state-by-state guide for when to put out and take down hummingbird feeders. This information is tailored to the migration patterns of hummingbirds, such as the Ruby-throated Hummingbird in the eastern United States and other species like Anna’s and Rufous Hummingbirds in the West. Whether you live in a region with year-round hummingbird populations or areas where they only visit during migration, this guide will help you prepare your feeders to attract and support these fascinating birds.
What are the key signs that hummingbirds have arrived in my area
1. First Sightings
-
Look for hummingbirds visiting flowers or feeders. Migrating males often arrive first, scouting territories before females follow a week or two later.
-
Pay attention to sightings reported by local birdwatching communities or nature centers.
2. Activity Around Nectar Sources
-
Hummingbirds are drawn to nectar-rich flowers, especially red and tubular-shaped blooms like trumpet honeysuckle and bee balm. Increased activity around these plants is a strong indicator of their arrival.
-
If you’ve already set up feeders, watch for hummingbirds hovering near them or sipping nectar.
3. Distinctive Sounds
-
Listen for the characteristic buzzing sound of their wings or their high-pitched chirps. Male Broad-tailed Hummingbirds in mountainous regions produce a metallic trill with their wing feathers, signaling their presence.
4. Reports from Local Birders
-
Check local birdwatching groups or nature organizations for reports of hummingbird sightings in your region. Many birders share their observations during migration season.
5. Seasonal Timing
-
Hummingbirds typically arrive in southern U.S. states by February or March, moving northward over the next two months. In northern states and Canada, they often appear by late April or May.
These signs will help you know when hummingbirds have reached your area so you can prepare your feeders and enjoy watching these incredible birds!
Here is the state-by-state guide with special information about feeding hummingbirds
| State | Special Information |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Feeders should be put out in early March and taken down in December. |
| Alaska | Feeders can be kept year-round in Southeast Alaska; elsewhere, April to September. |
| Arizona | Keep feeders up year-round due to resident species like Anna’s Hummingbirds. |
| Arkansas | Put feeders out mid-March; take them down by December. |
| California | Year-round feeding is possible due to resident hummingbird species like Anna’s. |
| Colorado | Start feeding in early April, and take feeders down by November. |
| Connecticut | Feeders should be out by early April and removed by November. |
| Delaware | Put feeders out early April and take them down by November. |
| Florida | Feed hummingbirds year-round due to the presence of resident species. |
| Georgia | Year-round feeding is recommended for resident species like Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. |
| Hawaii | No native hummingbirds; however, some introduced species may be present. |
| Idaho | Feeders should be put out in late March and removed by November. |
| Illinois | Start feeding in early April; take feeders down by December. |
| Indiana | Put feeders out early April; remove them by December. |
| Iowa | Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive mid-April; feeders should be removed late November. |
| Kansas | Feeders should be put out early April; Rufous Hummingbirds may visit in fall. |
| Kentucky | Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive late March; rare Rufous Hummingbirds may winter here. |
| Louisiana | Year-round feeding is ideal due to wintering species like Rufous and Buff-bellied Hummingbirds. |
| Maine | Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive mid-April; take feeders down by November. |
| Maryland | Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive mid-April; Rufous may winter here occasionally. |
| Massachusetts | Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive early April; take feeders down by December. |
| Michigan | Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive late April; remove feeders mid-November. |
| Minnesota | Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive late April; remove feeders mid-November. |
| Mississippi | Year-round feeding is recommended due to wintering hummingbird species. |
| Missouri | Feeders should be put out in early March and removed by January. |
| Montana | Multiple species like Rufous and Calliope arrive in April; remove feeders by November. |
| Nebraska | Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive late April; remove feeders mid-November. |
| Nevada | Year-round feeding is possible in western and southern lowlands due to resident species like Anna’s Hummingbirds. |
| New Hampshire | Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive early April; remove feeders mid-November. |
| New Jersey | Feeders should be put out mid-March and removed by December. |
| New Mexico | Year-round feeding is acceptable due to resident species like Costa’s Hummingbirds. |
| New York | Feeders should be put out late March and removed by December. |
| North Carolina | Year-round feeding is ideal for resident hummingbird populations like Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. |
| North Dakota | Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive late April; remove feeders by November. |
| Ohio | Feeders should be put out late March and removed by December. |
| Oklahoma | Feeders should be put out late March; remove them by November if no activity is observed for two weeks. |
| Oregon | Year-round feeding is possible due to resident hummingbird populations like Anna’s Hummingbirds in western areas. |
| Pennsylvania | Feeders should be put out late March and removed by December if no activity is observed for two weeks. |
| Rhode Island | Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive early April; remove feeders by November. |
| South Carolina | Year-round feeding is recommended due to resident species like Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. |
| South Dakota | Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive late April; remove feeders by November. |
| Tennessee | Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive late March; remove feeders by December. |
| Texas | Year-round feeding is ideal due to the presence of multiple resident species. |
| Utah | Feeders should be put out mid-March; remove them by November if no activity is observed. |
| Vermont | Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive early April; remove feeders by November. |
| Virginia | Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive early March; remove feeders by December. |
| Washington | Year-round feeding is possible in western areas due to resident species like Anna’s Hummingbirds. |
| West Virginia | Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive mid-March; remove feeders by December. |
| Wisconsin | Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive late April; remove feeders by November. |
| Wyoming | Feeders should be put out in late April; remove them by November. |
