When Should You Put Out Hummingbird Feeders in the Spring?

When Do Hummingbirds Come Back?

It’s hummingbird time! Migrating hummingbirds are making the trek north and will soon come back to your yard.

Some hummingbirds in the Southwest and Mexico begin their “spring” flight as early as January. Be on the lookout for your first hummingbird of the season. To attract them, you need to know when to put out hummingbird feeders. Remember that those little gems also love nectar-filled blooms, especially red and tube-shaped flowers.

Like the whir of their tiny wings, hummingbirds create quite a buzz among bird watchers. This time of year, it’s normal to see social media posts announcing a FOY (first of year) hummingbird visit, or to hear neighbors discussing their sightings. The annual arrival of these energetic fliers is truly something to celebrate.

“This male ruby-throated hummingbird (above) was the first to arrive this spring, almost two weeks earlier than normal, which thrilled me,” says Mindy Davis of Bokchito, Oklahoma. “He looks so regal in this photo, showing off his magnificent colors as he takes a short break.”

Allen’s hummingbirds begin their spring migration early. Moving north in Mexico by December, they reach coastal California and southern Oregon around January or February.

By early summer, ruby-throats flutter around the Eastern U.S., busily sipping nectar from flowers and feeders. Rufous hummingbirds converge in the Pacific Northwest, flying through most of the Western states on their way. And black-chinned hummingbirds settle into valleys and towns of the West and Southwest.

Seeing one of these exuberant and energetic fliers dash through your garden or drink sugar water from your feeder for the 50th time is just as exciting as the first time.

“Regardless of the calendar date, spring has arrived when the hummingbirds and butterflies return, you smell the fresh scent of hyacinth, the crocuses emerge and birds create new nests,” says Joan Heid of Chester, South Carolina.

When is the Best Time to Put Out Hummingbird Feeders?

With the arrival of spring comes the return of exciting migrating species, including hummingbirds. As temperatures heat up in most of the country, you should put out hummingbird feeders.

These backyard favorites reach the Gulf Coast by late February or March and typically make it northward by mid-to-late May. It’s a good idea to have your feeders cleaned, filled and put out a few weeks early, in case they arrive sooner than you think.

“Each spring, I look forward to the return of the hummingbirds to my home in Buena Vista, Colorado,” says Sherry Thomas. “I make sure that my feeders are full and waiting for my winged friends by April 15.

“I spend many joyful hours on my deck, both watching and photographing the hummers. This is a female broad-tailed hummingbird (above) sipping nectar from my red salvia.”

“I always look forward to the first hummingbird of the season — and last year was no exception,” says Kristen Clark of Tijeras, New Mexico.

“We put out our hummingbird feeders during the first weekend in April, which is a little early for us. Lo and behold, this broad-tailed hummingbird (above) showed up early! I was delighted to see the other hummingbirds follow suit just a week later.”

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