The annual return of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird to North Carolina marks the beginning of spring. These tiny travelers migrate from Mexico and Central America to reach their breeding territory. While the exact arrival date depends on local weather, their general timeline is predictable. Understanding this cycle allows you to prepare your yard and ensure a welcoming, energy-rich stopover for these visitors.
The Critical Spring Arrival Window in NC
The springtime migration of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird reaches North Carolina around late March, with the bulk of the population arriving throughout April. Place your feeder outside one to two weeks before the earliest expected sighting in your specific region. The first birds seen are typically male “scouts” that precede the main wave of females and juveniles.
Arrival times vary significantly depending on elevation and proximity to the coast, following a predictable geographical pattern across North Carolina. Residents in the Coastal Plain often report first sightings by the end of March. The Piedmont region generally sees the earliest arrivals in the first week of April, with activity widespread by mid-April.
The Mountain regions, with cooler temperatures and higher elevations, experience the latest arrivals, often not seeing significant numbers until mid-to-late April. Tracking resources like migration maps or eBird data can provide year-to-year adjustments based on current weather conditions. Being prepared early ensures that a newly arrived migrant has an immediate source of the high-calorie nectar it requires after its long journey.
Essential Feeder Setup and Maintenance
Preparing the nectar correctly is important for the birds’ health. The only safe mixture is a ratio of one part refined white granulated sugar dissolved in four parts water. This 4:1 concentration closely mimics the sucrose content found in natural flowers.
You must never use honey, brown sugar, artificial sweeteners, or red dye, as these can cause serious health issues, including fatal fungal infections or an inability to process the sugars. Place the feeder in a location that offers partial shade to prevent the sugar water from fermenting quickly. Placing the feeder near natural shelter, like trees or shrubs, provides a safe perching spot and protection from predators.
Maintaining a clean feeder is important, especially as temperatures rise. In cooler spring weather, changing and cleaning the nectar every three to five days is often sufficient. Once the North Carolina summer heat arrives, the sugar water can ferment or become cloudy with mold growth faster, sometimes requiring cleaning every other day. Thoroughly wash the feeder with hot water and a brush each time, ensuring all mold and residue are removed to prevent the spread of pathogens.
Knowing When to Remove Feeders
Hummingbirds typically begin their southward journey from North Carolina starting in late August, with most residents departing throughout September. The migration instinct is governed by the photoperiod (the changing length of daylight hours), not by food availability. Keeping feeders full will not prevent the birds from migrating when their internal clocks tell them it is time to leave.
Male birds usually depart first, followed by females and young about one to two weeks later. Keep your feeder clean and filled at least until the end of October to assist late stragglers who need to refuel for the remainder of their journey. Maintaining a feeder late into the season also provides a resource for less common species, such as the Rufous Hummingbird, that may pass through North Carolina. It is safe to remove the feeder two weeks after you observe the last hummingbird visit.