Hummingbirds, with their iridescent plumage and rapid wingbeats, are captivating visitors to Georgia landscapes. These tiny birds bring a unique vibrancy to gardens and natural areas across the state. Their seasonal appearance is a highlight for nature enthusiasts.
The Annual Arrival
Hummingbirds typically begin their northward migration into Georgia during the spring. The first birds usually arrive in South Georgia by early March, with sightings increasing in the Atlanta area by mid-March. By April 1st, they can be found reaching up to the Tennessee and South Carolina borders. This annual journey is part of their broader migration from warmer wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America.
The timing of their arrival is influenced by environmental cues such as increasing daylight and warming temperatures. While the general window is from late March to early April, specific arrival dates can vary slightly each year depending on weather patterns and food availability. These small birds undertake impressive flights, sometimes crossing vast distances like the Gulf of Mexico, which can take 18-20 hours of continuous flight.
Common Hummingbird Species
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most commonly observed and only nesting hummingbird species in Georgia. These birds are identified by their bright emerald or golden-green backs and crowns, with gray-white underparts. Adult males feature an iridescent red throat, known as a gorget, which can appear dark depending on the light angle. Females have similar green upperparts but lack the red throat, displaying white underparts instead.
While the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is prevalent, Georgia also hosts other hummingbird species, particularly during the winter months. These visitors might include Rufous, Black-chinned, Calliope, Anna’s, and Allen’s hummingbirds. The Rufous Hummingbird, for instance, is the most frequently seen wintering hummingbird in the southeastern U.S.
Creating a Welcoming Habitat
Attracting hummingbirds involves providing reliable sources of nectar, water, and shelter. Feeders filled with a sugar solution can supplement natural food sources, especially during migration periods. The recommended solution is one part refined white sugar to four parts water, which mimics the sugar concentration found in natural flower nectar. Boil the water for 2-3 minutes before adding sugar, then allow the mixture to cool completely before filling feeders. Red food coloring is unnecessary and potentially harmful; birds are attracted to the red color of the feeder itself.
Regular cleaning of feeders prevents the growth of mold and bacteria. Feeders should be cleaned every 2-3 days in warm weather, or before the nectar becomes cloudy, using a solution of one part bleach to ten parts water, followed by a thorough rinse.
Planting nectar-rich flowers is another excellent way to create a natural and appealing habitat. Hummingbirds are particularly drawn to red and orange tubular flowers, such as cardinal flower, bee balm, trumpet honeysuckle, and salvia. Providing water sources, like misters or shallow bird baths with moving water, and perching spots on trees or shrubs makes a habitat more inviting. Avoiding pesticides is also important, as hummingbirds consume small insects as a protein source.
Their Autumn Departure
As summer transitions into fall, hummingbirds begin their journey south from Georgia to their wintering grounds. This southward migration typically starts with adult males departing by the end of August. Females and younger birds follow later, with the vast majority of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds leaving Georgia by October.
This departure is an instinctive response to environmental cues, primarily declining day length, which triggers physiological changes in the birds. During this period, hummingbirds engage in intense feeding to build up fat reserves necessary for their long flight. They can increase their body weight by two-thirds or more in preparation for the journey. Keeping feeders available during late summer and early fall can provide crucial energy for these birds as they prepare for their demanding migration. They will return again the following spring.