The first wave of spring hummingbird migration hits the Gulf Coast in late February to mid-March. This begins with mostly males arriving ahead of females to stake out territory. From there, migration moves north in a rolling wave rather than all at once. The same species that shows up in Texas in early March won’t reach the northern U.S. and Canada until late April or May. So when hummingbirds arrive really depends on where you live.
Fall hummingbird migration starts earlier than most people think. Southbound movement begins in August, with peak activity in early September. The overall season stretches from August into November.
In warmer southern states, hummingbirds may arrive as early as February, while northern states may not see them until April or May. Check your local migration timing and put your feeder out about 1–2 weeks before they typically arrive. You can keep your feeders out through fall migration. In many areas, that means through September and into October for warmer areas.
Hang and fill your feeders about two weeks before the typical first-arrival in your area. Early scouts will benefit from a food source already in place.
| Region | Typical first arrivals | When to fill feeders |
|---|---|---|
| Gulf Coast (TX, LA, southern MS/AL) | Late Feb – early March | Mid-February |
| Florida & Deep South | Late Feb – March (some year-round) | Late January – February |
| Southeast & Mid-South (GA, SC, NC) | Mid-March – early April | Early March |
| Mid-Atlantic & Lower Midwest | Mid-April | Late March – early April |
| Northeast & Upper Midwest | Late April – mid-May | Mid-April |
| Northernmost states | Early-to-late May | Late April |
| Rocky Mountain & Interior West | Early March (southern) to mid-May (northern) | Two to three weeks ahead of arrival |
| Pacific Northwest | Rufous late Feb, Anna’s present year-round | Keep feeders up year-round |
| Desert Southwest & Southern California | Feb – March; several are year-round residents | Keep feeders up year-round |
There are many different hummingbird species in the U.S. East of the Rockies, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is essentially the only breeding species you’ll see, which makes timing predictable. West of the Rockies, there are far more varieties. The Rufous, Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, Calliope, and Anna’s all overlap depending on elevation and season. Costa’s, Broad-billed, and a few others showing up in the desert Southwest and Southeastern Arizona borderlands. Anna’s Hummingbird stands out as largely non-migratory. They live year-round along much of the Pacific Coast.
No. This is a persistent myth in backyard birding. Migration is triggered primarily by changing day length, not by food availability or temperature. A full feeder in October won’t convince a healthy hummingbird to skip its trip south.
If you’re east of the Mississippi, a hummingbird that late in the year may be a western species, but Ruby-throated Hummingbirds can also be present during late fall migration. From October through January, Rufous Hummingbirds are among the most frequently reported western hummingbird species, particularly in areas where they commonly occur during migration and winter. Keeping a feeder up into early winter gives these off-course or cold-hardy travelers a food source.
Day length is the primary cue for hummingbirds to begin migration. As daylight hours shift with the season, birds experience hormonal changes that signal it is time to migrate. This occurs regardless of temperatures and/or food supplies.
In most of the continental U.S., no. Along the Pacific Coast, in parts of the desert Southwest, and in the Gulf Coast and Florida, hummingbirds can be found year-round. If you’re in one of those regions, there’s no real “off season”. Everywhere else, matching your feeder timing to the table above will make sure it’s ready when the first arrivals return.
Yes, hummingbirds can return to the same feeders and feeding locations year after year. They have excellent memories and may remember reliable food sources along their migration route. If your yard consistently provides food, water, shelter, and flowers, you may see the same hummingbirds return each season.
The best food for hummingbird feeders is an all natural mixture of sugar and water solution. Avoid honey, artificial sweeteners, food coloring, and other additives. Fresh nectar provides hummingbirds with the energy they need while natural flowers and insects provide important nutrients.