❓ Why Hasn’t My Hummingbird Come Back This Year?

You marked the calendar. You made the nectar. But the yard is silent.

It is the most common question in birding groups: “Where are they?”

Before you panic, here are the likely reasons.

1. The Weather (Migration Delay)

If there was a late storm in the South or strong headwinds over the Gulf, the migration is paused. They are smart; they won’t fly into a hurricane. They are just late.

2. Your Feeder is “Marked”

Did you leave a dirty feeder up last fall? If a bird got sick from your nectar last year, it remembers. Hummingbirds have excellent spatial memory. It might take a season for a new generation to trust your yard.

The Fix: Buy a brand new, clean feeder. Sometimes a fresh start helps. Feed Garden Glass Feeder is a great reset button.

3. The Neighbors Have Better Food

Did your neighbor plant a massive hedge of Honeysuckle? Natural nectar always wins over sugar water.

The Fix: Upgrade your garden with Native Wildflower Seeds to compete.

4. Predator Presence

Do you have a new outdoor cat? Or did a hawk move into the tree next door? If the yard isn’t safe, they won’t stay.

5. Natural Fluctuation

Populations rise and fall. A bad winter in Mexico or a drought in the West can reduce numbers significantly for a year.

Be patient. Keep the nectar fresh. They will come.