The first wave hits the Gulf Coast in late February to mid-March, 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.
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 present year-round) | Late January – February |
| Southeast & Mid-South (GA, SC, NC, TN) | 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 |
| Southern Canada / 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 local arrival |
| Pacific Northwest | Rufous arrive late Feb – March; Anna’s present year-round | Keep feeders up year-round |
| Desert Southwest & Southern California | Multiple species arrive 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.
Hummingbird migration starts earlier than most people think. Southbound movement starts in August, with peak activity in early September. The overall season stretches from August into November.
Many experts suggest two to three weeks after your last regular sighting. Some experienced birders also recommend leaving feeders up through November or even into December, especially east of the Mississippi.
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 is more likely to be a western species. Sightings of western hummingbirds wintering in the eastern U.S. have increased substantially since the 1980s. From October through January, Rufous is now the most frequently reported species in parts of the East. Keeping a feeder up into early winter gives these off-course or cold-hardy travelers a fighting chance.
Day length is the primary cue for hummingbirds to begin migration. As daylight hours shift with the season, it triggers hormonal changes that urges hummingbirds to migrate. The occurs regardless of a warm spell or a food supplies.
In most of the continental U.S., no. There are however exceptions. 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 right when the first arrivals.