The sight of a Ruby-throated or Anna’s hummingbird is a seasonal reward for many homeowners across North America. These tiny creatures undertake migratory journeys between their wintering and breeding grounds. Providing a feeder offers them an energy source, especially following a long migration or when natural flower nectar is scarce. Successfully hosting these birds depends on precise timing, which is determined by your geographic location and their annual schedule.
Determining Your Regional Spring Start Date
The most important factor in attracting hummingbirds is having a feeder ready before their arrival, ensuring early migrants find immediate sustenance. A widely accepted guideline is to hang your feeder approximately two weeks prior to the date you expect the first hummingbirds to appear. Male hummingbirds, who are the first to arrive to claim territory, often precede the females.
You can determine your regional start date by consulting online migration trackers, which map the birds’ northward progress in real-time. For instance, Ruby-throated hummingbirds typically reach the Gulf Coast states by late February or early March, but they may not arrive in the northern U.S. and Canada until late April or May. Putting the feeder out early provides a necessary food source for birds that arrive ahead of schedule or during cold snaps when natural flowers have not yet bloomed. A readily available feeder encourages the birds to establish a foraging routine in your yard.
The Importance of Fall Timing
Knowing when to take down your feeder is as important as knowing when to put it up, as the feeding season extends into the fall migration period. It is recommended to keep your feeders out for a minimum of two weeks after you have seen the last hummingbird in your area. This practice offers an energy boost to late-migrating individuals, including juveniles, passing through on their journey south.
A common misconception is that keeping a feeder up too late will prevent hummingbirds from migrating. Their migration is not triggered by food availability but by an internal biological clock responding to the shortening photoperiod (decrease in daylight hours). The decrease in light triggers hormonal shifts that cause the birds to prepare for travel. In mild climates, such as parts of the Pacific Coast and Gulf Coast, where non-migratory species like the Anna’s hummingbird reside year-round, feeders may be left out continuously.
Feeder Preparation and Maintenance Essentials
Once the timing is right for spring setup, the feeder must be prepared with the correct nectar solution to ensure the birds’ health. The proper mixture mimics natural flower nectar and consists of one part refined white granulated sugar dissolved in four parts water. It is not necessary to boil the mixture, but the solution must be fully cooled before filling the feeder.
Nectar and Cleaning
Never use honey, brown sugar, artificial sweeteners, or red food dye, as these ingredients can be harmful. The feeder should be cleaned frequently to prevent the growth of mold and the fermentation of the sugar water. In warm weather or direct sunlight, the nectar should be changed every two to three days, or daily in intense heat, to prevent it from spoiling.
Optimal Placement
Optimal placement of the feeder contributes to the birds’ safety and comfort. Feeders should be hung in a visible location but not in direct afternoon sunlight, which accelerates spoilage. The location should also be near natural cover, such as trees or shrubs, which provides the birds with a safe place to perch and escape from predators. Keeping the feeder away from windows and areas where house cats may lurk will further protect the visitors.