When should hummingbird feeders be removed for the winter?
If you’re starting to notice hummingbirds moving south, this is a fantastic question.
You may only get the opportunity to feed passing hummingbirds for a few months of the year in some states.
Maintain a supply of this simple homemade hummingbird nectar in your feeders to aid the hummingbirds’ long journeys.
You can view the most hummingbirds if you know when to put your feeders out and when to bring them in.
When To Take Down Hummingbird Feeders – Why it’s important
1. Commitment
Hummingbird feeders require a lot of dedication. Every 3-5 days, you must pull them down cleanly and replace the nectar.
You might even need to bring the feeders inside as the temperature drops to prevent damage from the cold.
The bottom line is that you won’t need to follow a strict routine of cleaning and refilling if you know when to pull your feeders down.
2. Survival
It is a fallacy that if you don’t take down your feeders, the hummingbirds won’t migrate.
Hummingbirds will survive if you leave your feeder up long enough during the fall migration.
These little birds require that energy to refuel for their thousands of kilometers of flight.
The hummingbirds won’t have that energy source to help them live if you take down your feeders too soon.
3. Stragglers
In the event that there haven’t been any hummers for a day or two, you might be tempted to remove your feeders.
The issue is that a few stragglers who migrated a little later than the others may still exist. These are frequently young hummingbirds that are traveling south for the first time.
Sometimes these hummingbirds will arrive a week or two after the last batch.
You can learn when to remove your hummingbird feeders by using this information. We’ll go over all the warning signals you need to be aware of before taking them down.
All right? Let’s begin.
To Save For Later
When to take down hummingbird feeders
Hummingbird feeders should generally be removed 2 weeks after the last time you saw a hummingbird feeding.
You’ll see that I didn’t offer you a certain date.
That’s because each bird watcher’s precise timing will vary.
Let’s look at the few elements you’ll need to take into account.
What influences the southward migration of hummingbirds?
When the final hummingbirds start to migrate out of your location for the winter will depend on these variables. Once you notice these indicators, you’ll be aware that the migration period is about to finish.
Location
The speed at which the hummingbirds depart depends on the state in which you reside.
The hummingbirds’ stay is shorter the more north your state is. Early in the fall, you’ll begin to take down your feeders.
The later you leave your feeder out, the more southern your state is. Hummingbirds may even be present year-round in some states (read more on the below).
The hummingbirds will typically migrate between August and November.
For a more precise prediction of the start of hummingbird season in your state, continue reading.
Climate
The transition from summer to autumn will lead temperatures to begin to drop. This is a signal that the hummingbirds will start to migrate soon.
Hummingbirds will stay around a little longer in hotter regions than in colder ones.
Hummingbird migration begins at the beginning of August if you live in a state with a cooler climate.
Food availability
The amount of food that hummingbirds have access to in your area will be impacted by the change in season and temperature decreases.
Their primary food source is insects, which start to disappear in the fall. The flowers, which are their natural source of nectar, experience the same thing.
As these food sources disappear in the north, hummingbirds migrate further south.
Keeping this in mind, your feeders won’t prevent hummingbirds from migrating. Even if your feeders are still out, it is natural for them to go on.
Migration patterns
Hormones and waning sunshine have an impact on hummingbird migration patterns.
Not every hummingbird will migrate in the same way. Some will begin more quickly than others.
Additionally, men frequently depart earlier than women do. Then there are the fledgling baby hummingbirds that are traveling. They are typically the last to depart.
Hummingbird behavior is generally predictable. This implies that if you remember when they came and went from your yard the year before, they will probably return each year in the same way.
I strongly advise maintaining a hummingbird journal every year. So you may keep track of your yearly sightings. You can use this to decide how to take down your hummingbird feeders in the best way possible.
Year-Round Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are fortunate enough to live year-round in some states.
This means you won’t have to worry about taking your hummingbird feeders down because you can leave them up all year.
Hummingbirds can be found year-round in the following states:
- Atlantic Ocean
- Texas’s south
- Middle Florida
- Florida’s Gulf Coast
- East-central Arizona
Hummingbirds may also be found in winter in Mississippi and Louisiana, two other Southern states. To ensure that these hummers survive the winter, keep your feeders open all year.
5 Other Reasons to take down hummingbird feeders
There will be occasions when you must temporarily stop using your hummingbird feeders. Even if you see hummingbirds throughout the year, this applies to every backyard bird watcher who feeds them.
Now let’s look at these.
1. Cleaning
Every 3-5 days, you’ll need to remove your feeders so you can clean and restock them.
If your feeders are in high demand, you might need to replenish earlier than this. In this situation, make sure to clean thoroughly at least every third day.
To avoid disease, preserve the freshness of the nectar, and check for signs of damage or leaks, feeders need to be cleaned and inspected.
A thorough cleaning will require some time to allow for washing and drying.
Having a second set of feeders available to use as you empty the first is a good strategy to prevent disappointing your hungry hummers.
2. Pests
The gods, as well as bees, wasps, ants, and bears, eat nectar. Must I continue?
The idea is that your sugary water will draw in more than simply hummingbirds.
You might want to take down your feeders if insects or other wildlife are taking over.
Removing the feeder erases any evidence these animals may have left that they should come looking for a convenient food source.
For further tips on how to prevent insects from visiting your feeders, you can also look through my guides:
- How to prevent bees from settling in hummingbird feeders
- Keeping ants away from hummingbird feeders
3. Weather
The weather can be erratic even in the summer.
They will be exposed to all types of weather because your hummingbird feeder is outdoors. Your feeders can be harmed by extreme weather, including as hurricanes, tornadoes, hailstorms, severe rain, wind, and thunderstorms.
The feeder might be dropped, damaged, or even have something crash into it.
For the worst, take your feeders down. As soon as the weather begins to improve, try to hang them outside.
4. Winter
You’ll need to take additional care of your feeder if you’re one of the fortunate few who see hummingbirds over the winter.
Your feeder may freeze over due to extreme cold and winter storms. Overnight, when temperatures are at their lowest, this typically occurs.
In the mornings, the hummingbirds will therefore arrive at the frozen nectar.
You can take down your hummingbird feeder at night and rehang it in the morning to prevent this from happening.
5. Vacation
Think carefully about what you’ll do with your hummingbird feeders if you enjoy taking summer vacations.
If you will be gone for more than five days, I advise you to remove your feeders.
Your nectar will spoil if you keep them up longer after cleaning and refilling them. Nectar that has gone bad can hurt your hummingbirds.
You might even come back to find insects taking over your hummingbird feeder.
If you find it difficult to remove your feeders, ask friends or family to clean and replenish them for you.
Who knows, you might even encourage them to install hummingbird feeders in their own yards.
When to take down your hummingbird feeders by state
These are the approximate dates that hummingbirds should start to leave your area from the winter until the spring. As a general guideline, remove your feeders two weeks after the last time you observed a hummingbird feeding. You’ll be able to catch any baby hummingbirds that are falling behind in this manner.
Check out what other hummingbird observers in your state are reporting.
Alabama (AL)
In Alabama, hummingbird migration will begin the final week of August.
The second week of November is the time to remove your hummingbird feeders.
Alaska (AK)
In Alaska, hummingbird migration will begin the final week of July.
The second week in October is the time to remove your hummingbird feeders.
Arizona (AZ)
Southeast Arizona has a year-round hummingbird habitat.
The first week of September will see the commencement of the migration of hummingbirds out of Arizona.
The final week of November is when you should store your hummingbird feeders. If you reside in southeast Arizona, keep them up all year long.
Arkansas (AR)
The third week of August will see the first hummingbirds departing Arkansas.
During the final week of October, remove your hummingbird feeders.
California (CA)
California’s coastal region hosts hummingbirds all year round.
The second week of August will see the first arrivals of migratory hummingbirds in California.
The third week in October is the time to remove your hummingbird feeders. If you reside near the coast, leave them up all year.
Colorado (CO)
The second week of August will mark the beginning of hummingbird migration out of Colorado.
The third week of October is the time to remove your feeders.
Connecticut (CT)
In Connecticut, hummingbirds will start to migrate the third week of July.
During the first week of October, remove your hummingbird feeders.
Delaware (DE)
The first week of August will mark the beginning of hummingbird migration out of Delaware.
The third week in October is the time to remove your hummingbird feeders.
Florida (FL)
Central and southern Florida are year-round habitats for native hummingbirds.
The third week of August will see the beginning of migratory hummingbird arrivals in California.
The first week of November is the time to remove your hummingbird feeders. If you reside in the south or the middle of the country, keep them up all year.
Georgia (GA)
In Georgia, hummingbird migration will begin the final week of August.
The second week of November is the time to remove your hummingbird feeders.
Hawaii (HI)
Unfortunately, as hummingbirds are not native to Hawaii, they do not migrate close to the state. Additionally prohibited by state legislation, hummingbirds are not allowed in Hawaii.
If you reside in Hawaii, do not place a hummingbird feeder in your yard.
Idaho (ID)
The first week of September will see the first hummingbirds departing from Idaho.
The first week of November is the time to remove your hummingbird feeders.
Illinois (IL)
In Illinois, hummingbird migration will begin the first week of August.
The first week of November is the time to remove your hummingbird feeders.
Indiana (IN)
In Illinois, hummingbird migration will begin the second week of October.
The first week of December is the time to remove your hummingbird feeders.
Iowa (IA)
During the second week of September, hummingbirds will begin to leave Iowa.
The third week of November is the time to remove your feeders.
Kansas (KS)
In Kansas, hummingbird migration will begin the second week of July.
The second week in October is the time to remove your hummingbird feeders.
Kentucky (KY)
Kentucky will begin to see hummingbird migration in the second week of March through early April.
Place your hummingbird feeders outside during the final week of February.
Louisiana (LA)
In Louisiana, hummingbird migration will begin the second week of July.
The second week in October is the time to remove your hummingbird feeders.
Maine (ME)
The third week of September is when hummingbirds begin to leave Maine.
During the final week of November, remove your hummingbird feeders.
Maryland (MD)
During the final week of September, hummingbirds will begin to leave Maryland.
The first week of December is the time to remove your hummingbird feeders.
Massachusetts (MA)
In Massachusetts, hummingbird migration will begin the second week of September.
The third week of November is the time to remove your hummingbird feeders.
Michigan (MI)
In Michigan, hummingbird migration will begin during the third week of September.
During the final week of November, remove your hummingbird feeders.
Minnesota (MN)
The third week of September will see the first hummingbirds depart Minnesota.
During the final week of November, remove your hummingbird feeders.
Mississippi (MS)
In Mississippi, hummingbird migration will begin the second week of November.
The third week of January is the time to remove your hummingbird feeders.
Missouri (MO)
The final week of September will see the first hummingbirds depart Missouri.
the first week of December, remove your feeders.
Montana (MT)
In Montana, hummingbird migration will begin the final week of June.
During the first week of October, remove your hummingbird feeders.
Nebraska (NE)
The first week of September will see the first hummingbirds depart Nebraska.
the first week of November, remove your feeders.
Nevada (NV)
In Nevada, hummingbird migration will begin the second week of September.
The third week of November is the time to remove your hummingbird feeders.
New Hampshire (NH)
During the final week of September, hummingbirds will begin to leave New Hampshire.
The first week of December is the time to remove your hummingbird feeders.
New Jersey (NJ)
The final week of September will see the first hummingbirds depart New Jersey.
The first week of December is the time to remove your hummingbird feeders.
New Mexico (NM)
The second week of October will mark the beginning of hummingbird migration out of New Mexico.
the first week of December, remove your feeders.
New York (NY)
During the third week of September, hummingbirds will begin to depart New York.
During the final week of November, remove your hummingbird feeders.
North Carolina (NC)
The final week of September will mark the beginning of hummingbird migration out of North Carolina.
The first week of December is the time to remove your hummingbird feeders.
North Dakota (ND)
The third week of August will mark the beginning of hummingbird migration out of North Dakota.
The third week of November is the time to remove your hummingbird feeders.
Ohio (OH)
In Ohio, hummingbird migration will begin the final week of August.
During the final week of November, remove your hummingbird feeders.
Oklahoma (OK)
The first week of September will see the first hummingbirds depart Oklahoma.
The first week of November is the time to remove your hummingbird feeders.
Oregon (OR)
Native hummingbirds live in Oregon all year long.
The first week of September will mark the beginning of migratory hummingbird departure from Oregon.
The third week of November is the time to remove your hummingbird feeders. If you have native hummingbird species visiting your feeders, keep them up all year.
Pennsylvania (PA)
During the final week of September, hummingbirds will start to leave Pennsylvania.
The first week of December is the time to remove your hummingbird feeders.
Rhode Island (RI)
The third week of September will see the first hummingbirds departing Rhode Island.
During the final week of November, remove your hummingbird feeders.
South Carolina (SC)
The first week of September will mark the beginning of hummingbird migration out of South Carolina.
The first week of November is the time to remove your hummingbird feeders.
South Dakota (SD)
The second week of September will mark the beginning of hummingbird migration out of South Dakota.
The third week of November is the time to remove your feeders.
Tennessee (TN)
In Tennessee, hummingbird migration will begin the second week of October.
The second week in December is the time to remove your hummingbird feeders.
Texas (TX)
South Texas is home to year-round resident hummingbirds.
The second week of October will mark the beginning of migratory hummingbird departure from Texas.
The second week in December is the time to remove your hummingbird feeders. If you reside in South Texas, keep them up all year.
Utah (UT)
In Utah, hummingbird migration will begin the second week of September.
The third week of November is the time to remove your hummingbird feeders.
Vermont (VT)
The first week of September will see the first hummingbirds depart Vermont.
The first week of November is the time to remove your hummingbird feeders.
Virginia (VA)
In Virginia, hummingbird migration will begin during the third week of September.
During the final week of November, remove your hummingbird feeders.
Washington (WA)
Native hummingbirds live in Oregon all year long.
In Oregon, migratory hummingbirds will start to fly south during the final week of July.
The second week in October is the time to remove your hummingbird feeders. If you have native hummingbird species visiting your feeders, keep them up all year.
West Virginia (WV)
– Near a safe window with suitable decals or other steps to minimize bird collisions. … In the third week of September, hummingbirds will begin to leave Rhode Island.
The final week of November is when you should take your hummingbird feeders down.
Wisconsin (WI)
In the first week of September, hummingbirds will begin to leave South Carolina.
The first week of November is when you should take your hummingbird feeders down.
Wyoming (WY)
In the second week of September, hummingbirds will begin to leave South Dakota.
In November, during the third week, remove your feeders.
When to take down hummingbird feeders – Final Thoughts
The second week of October will see hummingbirds begin to leave Tennessee.
In December, the second week, remove your hummingbird feeders.
In South Texas, local hummingbirds remain all year long.
The second week of October is when migratory hummingbirds begin to leave Texas.
FAQ
What is the best feeder for hummingbirds?
In December, the second week, remove your hummingbird feeders. If you reside in South Texas, keep them up throughout the year.
Where’s the best place to hang a hummingbird feeder?
The second week of September is when hummingbirds begin to leave Utah.
Should a hummingbird feeder be in the sun or in the shade?
In November, the third week, remove your hummingbird feeders.
Which feeder attracts the most hummingbirds?
The first week of September is when hummingbirds begin to leave Vermont.
What is the best month to put out hummingbird feeders?
The first week of November is when you should take your hummingbird feeders down.