When to Put Out Hummingbird Feeders? (Statewise)

If you’re a beginner, you should know one thing – when to put out hummingbird feeders?

When it comes to backyard bird watching, hummingbird season is one of the most exciting times of the year.

During the spring and summer, hummingbirds will migrate north across the United States to their breeding grounds, which are located in Mexico.

Feast on the hummingbirds by filling your feeders with this tasty homemade sugar water.

Hummingbird with Feeder

When to Put Out Hummingbird Feeders?

The general rule of thumb is to put out the feeders 2 weeks before the birds are expected to arrive. When will the hummingbirds arrive, though? You have no way of knowing 2 weeks before the hummingbird season starts.

When Should You Put Out Your Hummingbird Feeder? (State Wise)

These are approximate dates for when you should observe hummingbirds in your region.

It’s a good idea to set your feeder out two weeks ahead of time.

If you notice indicators that the hummingbirds are arriving sooner than expected, put out your feeders as soon as possible.

State Name When Do Hummingbirds Arrive? When to Put Out Hummingbird Feeders?
Alabama Second and third weeks of March and the middle of April Last week of February
Alaska April and May Third week of March
Arizona First week of March to early April Second week of February
Arkansas Third week of March and early April First week of March
California Second week of April last week of March
Colorado Second week of April last week of March
Connecticut latter week of April to the first week of May Second week of April
Delaware Third week of April First week of April
Florida First week of March Second week of February
Georgia Third week of March and early April First week of March
Hawaii
Idaho last week of April Second week of April
Illinois latter week of April and the first week of May Second week of April
Indiana First week of April Second week of March
Iowa latter week of April through the first week of May Second week of April
Kentucky Second and third weeks of March and early April last week of February
Louisiana First week of March and early April Second week of February
Maine latter week of April to the first week of May Second week of April
Maryland Third week of March through early April First week of March
Mexico First week of April Second week of March
Massachusetts latter week of April and early May Second week of April
Mississippi Third week of March and early April First week of March
Missouri Third week of March and early April First week of March
Montana latter week of April and the first week of May Second week of April
New Hampshire First week of May Second week of April
New Jersey latter week of April to the first week of May Second week of April
New York latter week of April and the first week of May Second week of April
Texas March to early April Second week of February
Virginia First week of April Second week of March
Washington Second and third weeks of March and the middle of April last week of February
Nebraska last week of April or early May Second week of April

1. Alabama

Hummingbirds will begin to arrive in Alabama during the second and third weeks of March and the middle of April.

Hummingbird feeders should be put out in the last week of February.

2. Alaska

It is expected that hummingbirds will begin to arrive in Alaska between April and May.

Hummingbird feeders should be available by the third week of March.

3. Arizona

In south-eastern Arizona, hummingbirds can be seen all year.

The first week of March to early April will see the arrival of migratory hummingbirds in Arizona.

Hummingbird feeders should be put out in the second week of February.

If you reside in southeast Arizona, keep them up all year.

4. Arkansas

In Arkansas, hummingbirds will begin to arrive in the third week of March and early April.

Hummingbird feeders should be put out the first week of March.

5. California

In coastal California, hummingbirds can be seen all year.

In the second week of April, migratory hummingbirds will begin to arrive in California.

Hummingbird feeders should be put out the last week of March.

If you live on the seaside, keep them up all year.

6. Colorado

The second week of April will see the first hummingbirds arrive in Colorado.

Hummingbird feeders should be put out the last week of March.

7. Connecticut

From the latter week of April to the first week of May, hummingbirds will begin to arrive in Connecticut.

Hummingbird feeders should be put out the second week of April.

8. Delaware

The third week of April will see the first hummingbirds arrive in Delaware.

Hummingbird feeders should be put out the first week of April.

9. Florida

Hummingbirds may be seen all year in central and southern Florida.

The first week of March will see the arrival of migratory hummingbirds in Arizona.

10. Georgia

In Georgia, hummingbirds will begin to arrive in the third week of March and early April.

Hummingbird feeders should be put out the first week of March.

11. Hawaii

Hummingbirds aren’t native to Hawaii, therefore they don’t travel near the islands.

Hummingbirds are likewise prohibited by state law, and their presence in Hawaii is prohibited.

If you reside in Hawaii, don’t put out a hummingbird feeder.

12. Idaho

Hummingbirds will begin to arrive in Idaho in the last week of April, according to the National Hummingbird Conservation Program.

Hummingbird feeders should be put out the second week of April.

13. Illinois

Hummingbirds will begin arriving in Illinois in the latter week of April and the first week of May.

Hummingbird feeders should be put out the second week of April.

14. Indiana

Hummingbirds are expected to arrive in Indiana in the first week of April.

Hummingbird feeders should be put out the second week of March.

15. Iowa

From the latter week of April through the first week of May, hummingbirds will begin to arrive in Iowa.

Hummingbird feeders should be put out the second week of April.

16. Kentucky

Hummingbirds will begin to arrive in Kentucky between the second and third weeks of March and early April.

Hummingbird feeders should be put out in the last week of February.

17. Louisiana

Hummingbirds will arrive in Louisiana in the first week of March and early April.

Hummingbird feeders should be put out in the second week of February.

18. Maine

From the latter week of April to the first week of May, hummingbirds will begin to arrive in Maine.

Hummingbird feeders should be put out the second week of April.

19. Maryland

In Maryland, hummingbirds will begin to arrive in the third week of March through early April.

Hummingbird feeders should be put out the first week of March.

20. Mexico

Hummingbirds are expected to arrive in Louisiana in the first week of April.

The second week of the optimum time to hang hummingbird feeders is around March.

21. Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, hummingbirds will begin to arrive in the latter week of April and early May.

Hummingbird feeders should be put out the second week of April.

22. Mississippi

Hummingbirds will begin to arrive in Mississippi in the third week of March and will continue to do so until early April.

Hummingbird feeders should be put out the first week of March.

23. Missouri

In Missouri, hummingbirds will begin to arrive in the third week of March and early April.

When March arrives, put out hummingbird feeders.

24. Montana

Hummingbirds will begin to arrive in Montana around the latter week of April and the first week of May.

Hummingbird feeders should be put out the second week of April.

25. New Hampshire

The first week of May will see the arrival of hummingbirds in New Hampshire.

Hummingbird feeders should be put out the second week of April.

26. New Jersey

From the latter week of April to the first week of May, hummingbirds will begin to arrive in New Jersey.

Hummingbird feeders should be put out the second week of April.

27. New York

Hummingbirds begin to arrive in New York around the latter week of April and the first week of May.

Hummingbird feeders should be put out the second week of April.

28. Texas

In southern Texas, hummingbirds may be seen all year.

The first week of March to early April will see the arrival of migratory hummingbirds in Texas.

Hummingbird feeders should be put out in the second week of February. If you reside in South Texas, keep them up all year.

29. Virginia

Around the first week of April, hummingbirds will begin to arrive in Virginia.

Hummingbird feeders should be put out the second week of March.

30. Washington

Hummingbirds will begin to arrive in Washington during the second and third weeks of March and the middle of April.

Hummingbird feeders should be put out in the last week of February.

31. Nebraska

In Nebraska, hummingbirds will begin to arrive in the last week of April or early May.

The optimum time to hang hummingbird feeders is in the second week of April.

Why is it Critical to Place Hummingbird Feeders at the Perfect Time?

1. Attract Them

If you don’t hang your feeders at the appropriate moment, they won’t be able to find them and won’t return every day.

Hummingbirds are more likely to nest in your yard if you put out your feeder at the correct time. So they don’t have to drive too far to get food every day.

This allows them to conserve energy, which is important to their existence.

2. The Repeat Customers

After finding your feeder, hummingbirds will return to it repeatedly. But isn’t there anything better? Year after year, they’ll remember where you put their food.

It follows then that if you have hummingbird feeders out this year, they will return next year.

As soon as they return, they’ll move on to a more trustworthy supply if your feeder isn’t ready.

3. Survival

Flowering time in spring is affected by the winter months. Hummingbirds may come before nectar is plentiful in your region.

Hang your hummingbird feeders early in the morning, and they’ll come to a food supply that’s ready for them.

Hummingbirds won’t perish because of the cold. Learn when to hang your hummingbird feeders with this advice. 

Learning to predict when the hummingbirds will travel to your region is the key to attracting them. Sure, it sounds simple. When to put hummingbird feeders out depends on a few variables.

What Affects the Hummingbird Season?

Hummingbirds are mostly migratory birds. That implies they’ll only be in your region for a few months each year.

Hummingbirds may or may not be present in your region at any one moment.

When you know when they won’t be in your neighborhood, you’ll know when to take down your hummingbird feeders.

The following elements impact the onset of the hummingbird season:

1. Location

When and how often you encounter hummingbirds in your yard depends depend on where you live.

Throughout the year, hummingbirds may be seen in the southern and coastal regions.

The hummingbirds will arrive later if you live in a northern state.

By March-May, the majority of hummingbirds will have arrived.

Check out the table above to get a more precise estimate of when hummingbird season will arrive in your state.

2. Climate

Hundreds of hummingbird species thrive in a wide range of conditions.

Temperatures rise as the season transitions from winter to spring.

Early spring will be seen in hotter regions, with a gradual shift to colder climates.

Hummingbirds will come considerably later if you live in a chilly northern state than in a hot southern one.

3. Availability of Food

Hummingbirds have one thing in common: they find lots of flowers and bugs wherever they travel.

The blooms provide them with the energy they need to catch the insects.

Hummingbirds will arrive as flowers begin to blossom in the spring.

As additional flowers blossom and a fresh, abundant source of nectar and insects become available, they will continue to migrate higher north.

4. Patterns of Migration

Each species of hummingbird has its own migratory habits.

Hormones and more sunshine will determine whether hummingbird species follow this trend.

Hummingbirds will travel from south to north but will avoid the east and west coasts.

Other hummingbirds will only go as far as the southernmost states. Given this, it’s possible that certain hummingbird species will never migrate to your state.

Be realistic about the number of hummingbirds that will show up.

Predictions for Hummingbird Season

Year-Round Feeding

Hummingbirds do not always travel south during the winter. That means you’ll be able to feed hummingbirds all year if you reside in specific states.

Hummingbirds may be seen year-round in the following locations:

  • The coast of the Pacific
  • Southern Texas 
  • Center Florida
  • Southwest Florida 
  • South-eastern Arizona

Other Hummingbird Season Predictions

Hummingbird arrival dates are usually quite accurate.

It’s a good idea to keep track of when they come each year so you can plan ahead for the following year.

However, keep in mind that Mother Nature might surprise you at any time. Consequently, the season may start earlier or later than you expect.

Keep a watchful check on the following to avoid this:

  • Hummingbird sightings in your neighborhood.
  • Flowers are blossoming in your neighborhood.
  • Orioles, grosbeaks, and warblers are among the other species that use your feeders.

If you are wondering Where to Hang Hummingbird Feeder? Then check out these 4 best spots in that article. 

Conclusion

This article’s key takeaway is that the earlier you hang your hummingbird feeders, the better. Put out your feeders only when you observe hummingbirds.

The goal is to attract hummingbirds to a full feeder.

Not to get caught up with the few stragglers who arrived a little later.

Hummingbirds that have previously eaten at your feeder will simply leave if your feeders are not ready.

Check out this article to learn about What Time of Day Do Hummingbirds Feed?

FAQ

When do you put hummingbird feeders out?

Hummingbird feeders are best hung in March for the majority of backyard birds. The beginning of March is a good time to put out nectar feeders in southern regions because hummingbirds arrive sooner, while the end of the month is a good time to feed hummingbirds further north.

What's the greatest spot for a hummingbird feeder?

Hummingbirds don’t like to be out in the open when they aren’t feeding. They’re all about conserving energy in every way that they can. Because of this, a feeder should be positioned 10 to 15 feet away from a tree, bush, or other good hiding places. This provides them with a spot to rest and avoid the sun.

Last Updated on March 22, 2023 by Lily Aldrin

About Lily Aldrin

I am Lily Aldrin. I attended Cornell University, where I obtained my degree to become an Ornithologist so I could pursue my love of these magnificent creatures in and out of their natural habitats.

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