📅 When to Put Out Hummingbird Feeders (2025 Calendar)

Hummingbirds are punctual travelers. Like clockwork, they follow the blooming of flowers north every spring.

If your feeder isn’t up when the “scouts” (the first males) arrive, they will fly right past your house to your neighbor’s yard. And once they establish a territory, it’s hard to win them back.

Here is your regional guide to being ready.

🗺️ Regional Schedule

🌵 The South & Gulf Coast (TX, FL, LA, AL)

Hang Feeders: Late February / Early March
The Scoop: You are the first pit stop after they cross the Gulf of Mexico. These birds are exhausted and starving. Keep feeders full!
Species: Ruby-throated (East), Black-chinned (West).

🌲 The West Coast (CA, OR, WA, AZ)

Hang Feeders: Year-Round (South) / March (North)
The Scoop: If you live in Southern California or Arizona, lucky you! You have Anna’s Hummingbirds all year. Further north, look for Rufous hummingbirds arriving in early spring.
Species: Anna’s, Rufous, Allen’s, Costa’s.

⛰️ The Midwest & Rockies (IL, OH, CO, MO)

Hang Feeders: Mid-April to Early May
The Scoop: Watch the weather. If a late frost kills the flowers, your feeder might be the only food source available.
Species: Ruby-throated (East), Broad-tailed (West).

🍁 The Northeast & Canada (NY, MA, PA, ME)

Hang Feeders: Early May (Mother’s Day)
The Scoop: The males arrive first to stake out territory. Females follow 1-2 weeks later.
Species: Ruby-throated.

❄️ When to Take Them Down?

Myth Buster: Leaving a feeder up does NOT stop hummingbirds from migrating. They migrate based on the length of the day (sunlight), not food.

Actually, leaving your feeder up late helps the “stragglers”—birds that are young, sick, or injured—fuel up for their late journey.

Rule of Thumb: Keep your feeder up until you haven’t seen a bird for 2 full weeks. For most of the US, this is late October or early November.

🛠️ Get Ready Gear

First Nature 32oz Feeder: Great for the spring rush when dozens of birds arrive at once.
Nectar Defender: Keeps nectar fresh longer during the unpredictable spring weather.

Happy Season Opener!