Hummingbirds are found in Tennessee, gracing the state’s gardens and woodlands for a significant portion of the year. While their presence is seasonal, these tiny fliers are a common sight from early spring through the fall months. The species most familiar to residents is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, which uses Tennessee as a breeding ground during the warmer season.
The Primary Tennessee Hummingbird and Its Seasonal Schedule
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only species that nests within Tennessee. Males, recognizable by their iridescent red throat patch, are the first to arrive, typically reaching the state in late March or early April to establish breeding territories. Females follow shortly after, usually appearing by mid-April, ready to begin the nesting cycle.
These birds spend the summer raising their young in Tennessee’s deciduous forests and wooded edges, relying on a diet of nectar and small insects. Their stay is characterized by constant activity, as they must consume half their body weight in sugar daily to sustain their high metabolism. By late summer, the males begin their southward migration, followed by the females and the young birds.
Most of the Ruby-throated population leaves Tennessee by early October, preparing for their long-distance flight to wintering grounds. Their destination is southern Mexico and Central America, a journey that requires doubling their body mass beforehand for energy reserves. This migration often includes a non-stop flight across the 500-mile expanse of the Gulf of Mexico, an impressive feat for a creature weighing barely more than a penny.
Creating a Hummingbird-Friendly Yard
Supporting hummingbirds requires providing reliable sources of high-energy food and suitable habitat throughout the season. Feeders are a popular way to supplement their diet, using a simple nectar solution: one part plain white table sugar dissolved in four parts water. Avoid using red dye in the solution, as it offers no nutritional value and may cause harm to the birds.
Feeder placement is best in a partially shaded area to keep the sugar water from spoiling quickly. Frequent cleaning is necessary, especially during warm weather; the solution should be changed every two to three days. The feeder itself must be scrubbed to prevent mold or fermentation. Putting feeders out in March ensures food is available for the earliest migrants, and keeping them up until late fall assists the last birds on their journey.
A natural and sustainable food source comes from planting native flowers that produce the tubular blossoms hummingbirds prefer. Excellent native choices for Tennessee include:
- The vibrant red Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis).
- The orange-red Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans).
- Bee Balm (Monarda).
- Eastern Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis).
These plants provide nectar throughout the spring and summer.
These plants not only offer nectar but also attract small insects, like gnats and spiders, which make up a significant portion of the hummingbird’s diet, especially during nesting season. Providing varied layers of vegetation, including trees and shrubs, gives the birds places to perch, rest, and find spider silk. They use this silk to construct their tiny, camouflaged nests. Planting a mix of species ensures a continuous nectar supply from spring until the first frost.
Spotting Less Common Migrants
While the Ruby-throated species dominates the warm months, Tennessee occasionally hosts less common western hummingbird species. These birds are usually vagrants that have deviated from their normal migration routes, often showing up in late fall or winter. The Rufous Hummingbird is the western species most frequently sighted, sometimes choosing to overwinter in the mild southeastern climate instead of continuing to Mexico.
Other rare visitors that have been documented in Tennessee include the Black-chinned, Allen’s, Anna’s, and Calliope Hummingbirds. These sightings are highly unusual, occurring most often between November and March, after the main Ruby-throated population has departed. Discovering one of these wintering individuals is a special occurrence that often prompts local birders to contact specialized banding groups.
These organizations track the movements of these rare birds, sometimes banding them to gather data on their wintering habits and survival success in the eastern United States. If a hummingbird is seen at a feeder past Thanksgiving, it is almost certainly a non-Ruby-throated species, and maintaining the feeder is advised for the bird’s survival until spring. The presence of these wintering hummingbirds demonstrates the surprising resilience of these tiny creatures against the cold.