Hummingbird feeders can help these birdies have easier access to all that sweet sugar water (homemade nectar).
Generally speaking, you can keep your bird feeders out all year round. However, most hummers are regular migrants and won’t be there to stay all the time.
Most of the time, you can stop feeding hummers in early or late autumn ( late September, October, or November), but it depends. You can bird watch them and notice when the last hummingbird visits your garden and decide with that in mind.
You can also decide when to put your feeder up or down according to the hummingbird species, location, hummingbird migration, or other variables.
Some hummingbirds are year-long residents. For example, Anna’s hummingbirds usually stay in one place all year – typically in California, Oregon, Washington, and Vancouver Island.
Most hummers migrate to warmer climates when autumn arrives. You can usually leave the feeders until the fall – before hummers start their journey south. They start flying in late November.
Table of Contents
When to stop feeding hummingbirds?
Best time to take down feeders according to region and species of hummingbird (visitors or residents)
Alabama – the middle of November; Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are natives; visited by Rufous hummingbirds and Black-chinned hummingbirds.
Alaska – In the middle of September, Rufous hummingbirds are most common.
Arizona – In the beginning or middle of November and, in some cases, all year round, Rivoli’s hummingbirds are year-round residents.
Arkansas – at the beginning of December; visited by Ruby-throated hummingbirds.
California – the middle of October or year-round; Costa’s hummingbirds and Anna’s hummingbirds are residents; visited by Allen’s, Calliope, Rufous, and Black-chinned hummingbirds.
Colorado – at the beginning of November; Rufous, Broad-tailed, Black-chinned, and Calliope hummingbirds.
Connecticut – beginning of November; visited by Rufous and Ruby-throated
Delaware – middle or beginning of November; visited by Ruby-throated
Florida – Year-round; Ruby-throated hummingbirds are residents
Georgia – the middle of December or year-round; visited by Rufous and Ruby-throated hummingbirds.
Hawaii – beginning of November;
Illinois – middle of November; visited by Ruby-throated hummingbirds
Indiana – middle of November; visited by Ruby-throated hummingbirds
Iowa – middle of November; visited by Ruby-throated hummingbirds
Kansas – beginning of November; visited by Ruby-throated and Rufous hummingbirds.
Kentucky – in the middle of December; visited by Rufous and Ruby-throated hummingbirds.
Louisiana – Year-round; residents: Black-chinned, Calliope, Broad-tailed, Rufous, and Buff-bellied hummingbirds; visited by Ruby-throated
Maine – beginning of November; visited by Ruby-throated
Maryland – beginning of November; visited by Ruby-throated, Rufous hummingbirds are residents
Massachusetts – middle of December; visited by Ruby-throated hummingbirds
Michigan – beginning of November; visited by Ruby-throated hummingbirds
Minnesota – middle of November; visited by Ruby-throated hummingbirds
Mississippi – Year-round; visited by Ruby-throated hummingbirds
Missouri – middle of December; visited by Ruby-throated hummingbirds
Montana – middle of October; Broad-tailed, Rufous, Black-chinned, Calliope, and Ruby-throated hummingbirds.
Nebraska – middle of November; visited by Ruby-throated hummingbirds
Nevada – middle of November or year-round; visited by Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, Rufous, and Calliope hummingbirds; Costa’s and Anna’s hummingbirds are residents.
New Hampshire – beginning of November; visited by Ruby-throated hummingbirds.
New Jersey – at the end of November; visited by Ruby-throated hummingbirds.
New Mexico – beginning of December or year-round; visited by Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, Rufous, and Calliope hummingbirds.
New York – beginning of December; visited by Ruby-throated hummingbirds.
North Carolina – beginning of December; visited by Ruby-throated hummingbirds.
North Dakota – in the middle of October; visited by Ruby-throated hummingbirds.
Ohio – beginning of December; visited by Ruby-throated hummingbirds.
Oklahoma – in the middle of November; visited by Ruby-throated, Rufous, and Black-chinned hummingbirds.
Oregon – Year-round; Allen’s, Rufous, Black-chinned, and Calliope hummingbirds.
Pennsylvania – Year-round; visited by Ruby-throated hummingbirds.
Rhode Island – in the middle of October; visited by Ruby-throated hummingbirds.
South Carolina – beginning of December; visited by Ruby-throated and Rufous hummingbirds.
South Dakota – beginning of November; visited by Ruby-throated, Broad-tailed, and Rufous hummingbirds.
Tennessee – beginning of December; visited by Ruby-throated hummingbirds.
Texas – beginning of January or year-round; visited by Lucifer, Ruby-throated, and Black-chinned hummingbirds.
Utah – beginning of December; visited by Rufous, Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, and Calliope hummingbirds.
Vermont – in the middle of November; visited by Ruby-throated hummingbirds.
Virginia – at the end of December; visited by Ruby-throated hummingbirds.
Washington – in the middle of November or year-round; visited by Black-chinned, Rufous, and Calliope hummingbirds.
West Virginia – in the middle of November or year-round; visited by Ruby-throated and Rufous hummingbirds.
Wisconsin – in the middle of December; visited by Ruby-throated hummingbirds.
Wyoming – in the middle of October; visited by Calliope, Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, and Rufous hummingbirds.
Hummingbird FAQ
When should I put out my hummingbird feeder ?
Usually, you can put your hummingbird feeders out starting in March or late May. In the United States, you can let them out year-round. Don‘t forget: you must take your hummingbird nectar feeders down every time you clean them of nectar, which should be frequent. However, you can put them out right away after that.
Are all hummingbird migrants?
Most hummers are migrants, but some of them stay in one place all year (e.g., Anna’s Hummingbirds)
What are some things to consider when putting the feeders down?
Leave the feeders out until late fall for baby hummingbirds
Male hummingbirds migrate earlier (mainly during late summer), but female hummingbirds are stragglers – They are usually late a couple of weeks.
Final words
Even if we can help provide food for hummers, if you mistake the date, remember that they are wild birds that can fend for themselves and will always find an available food source.
However, because they usually travel a long journey when they migrate, and their metabolism is incredibly fast, it’s generally helpful that you contribute to their food intake when they arrive.