The Best Time To Put Out Your Hummingbird Feeders, According To Experts

As hummingbirds begin their migration north, they’ll be on the look-out for delicious nectar to fuel their journey, so it’s important to know when to put out your hummingbird feeder for optimal enjoyment.

“Putting out a feeder guarantees that they’ll find something to feed on as they pass through the yard,” says David Wiedenfeld of the American Bird Conservancy. “It’s also really nice to give them an energy boost as they migrate northward.”

Hummingbirds In The Southeast

Wiedenfeld explains that in the Southeastern United States, there is just one type of hummingbird – the Ruby-throated Hummingbird – although others sometimes migrate through the area in fall.

“Ruby-throats begin arriving back along the Gulf Coast in the last half of February, but the early migrants stay right along the coast, in southern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida,” he explains. “Most of their migration occurs in late March and early April, when they head farther northward and farther inland.”

Depending on where you live, the hummingbird feeder can be put out as early as late February.

 “But for most of the Southeast, it’s probably okay to wait until late March or early April,” Wiedenfeld says.

When To Put Out Hummingbird Feeders

If you put your feeder out before the birds arrive, you will be able to catch the first birds. 

“Being able to get some food immediately when they do arrive is also a help for the birds. They’ve come a long way—maybe from Costa Rica—and getting an energy boost can help them get on track for a successful breeding season,” Wiedenfeld says.

While putting out hummingbird feeders can be a benefit to migrating hummers, don’t stress or worry about hummingbirds becoming dependent on your feeders.

“They’re pretty good about still visiting natural flowers to get other nutrition,” Wiedenfeld says. “They also get their protein from insects, which they will find and eat from a variety of other sources. They eat a lot of the small insects that you find inside flowers, so sometimes when you see them visiting flowers, they may be eating the little beetles and other bugs that are in the flower, not just drinking nectar.”

Hummingbird Feeder Tips

Ready to hang your hummingbird feeders? Here are the top tips from experts to ensure your yard is a hummingbird haven.

Plan Feeder Placement

Hummingbird feeders are best hung in a yard or garden where there are other perches, such as shrubs and bushes, and especially areas with other native flowers. 

“The shrubs provide protection and perches to give the birds a place to sit and rest,” Wiedenfeld says. “Flowers can provide an alternative source of natural foods.”

Avoid Hanging Near Windows

While feeder placement is a key component of attracting hummingbirds, it’s important to avoid windows.

Space Feeders Out

Feeders should be spaced out so that any aggressive or dominant hummers don’t unnecessarily intimidate others. Wiedenfeld also suggests feeders be hung 4 or 5 feet above the ground.

Clean Feeders Regularly

Wiedenfeld tells Southern Living that it is important to be aware that hummingbird feeders should be cleaned more often than other feeders.

“Especially in warm weather, the feeders should be cleaned every two or three days,” he explains.

Change Nectar Frequently

Tyrrell says it is very important to make sure the nectar is changed out every few days to prevent deadly fungal infections.

“In the Southeast, our spring and summer are often very warm so the nectar may need to be changed more frequently at that time,” she says, “Be sure to clean the feeder immediately if the nectar looks cloudy, regardless of how long it has been.”

Avoid Red Dye

While Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology says hummingbirds are attracted to the color red, using nectar products that include red dye or are artificially colored should be avoided.

“It is harmful to hummingbirds and can have real impacts on their health,” Tyrrell says.

Consider Adding Native Plants Nearby

Tyrrell says native flowering plants are the best source of nectar for hummingbirds. Enthusiasts can use Audubon's Plants for Birds database  to find native plants that attract hummingbirds and will successfully grow in their area. 

“One go-to plant that grows across much of the East coast is the native Coral Honeysuckle,” Tyrrell says. “This plant blooms prolifically and often blooms all season long. In the South, that can be year-round in some places. Hummingbirds also eat small gnats and spiders, so by growing native plants that support insect life, you will be supporting hummingbirds with all their dietary needs.”

Add A Yard Mister In The Summer

Consider adding a mister to a bird bath, and many species are likely to enjoy it as well. “During the summer months hummingbirds also enjoy using misters to drink from, fly through, and bathe in,” Tyrrell says.

How To Make Hummingbird Nectar

Wiedenfeld says that hummingbird nectar is easy to make at home–and without the unnecessary red dye. 

The proportions are 1/4 cup sugar to 1 cup of water, well boiled.

“The nectar in hummingbird feeders does not need to be colored red, because most hummingbird feeders have a red artificial flower or something similar that will indicate to the birds that it’s a place to look for food,” he explains. “If you have a lot of hummingbirds coming to your feeder, it may take a lot of nectar to keep them all happy, but if you only have a few birds, you can adjust the amount down to whatever keeps some nectar in the feeder and available for them.”