Eager to see your favorite winged yard guests? Other than knowing when hummingbirds tend to make their first appearance in general (which is early spring, by the way), the key for hanging your hummingbird feeder in a timely manner is understanding your specific region. Some regions see these cute creatures earlier than others due to migration patterns or the climate and temperature – all of which impact when you should put out your feeder to best attract these birds. If you’re struggling to understand when to put out hummingbird feeders, never fear! We’re breaking it down by regions in this guide so you can get ready for your favorite feathered friends this year.

When to Put Out Hummingbird Feeders By Region
How to Prepare & Maintain Your Hummingbird Feeder
When to Take Down Your Hummingbird Feeder

When to Put Out Hummingbird Feeders By Region

No matter the region, the basic rule of thumb to follow is to set your hummingbird nectar and feeder out one to two weeks before the birds’ expected arrival. This is because some birds may start to migrate and appear earlier than anticipated. If you wait to set your feeder out after the first sighting, you may be too late to attract birds to your yard since they’ll already have been feeding at another location.

Hummingbirds are attracted to warm, mild climates, so they’ll migrate to some regions earlier than others, depending on the weather. Hummingbirds prefer temperatures between 64°F–86°F. When your area’s temperature starts to rise to these levels, hummingbirds are about to appear!

Here’s what time of year is best to set out your hummingbird feeders in each region to draw these birds to your outdoor space:

Northeast

Northeastern states should begin setting out their hummingbird feeders in late April or early May. Most hummingbirds start making their appearance in this region during early to mid-spring, so don’t put your nectar out too early – it can freeze in a cold climate!

South

Some Southern states see hummingbirds during the winter months and spring. This region might see a few birds as early as February or March. If you’re along the Gulf Coast, start setting your feeders out in late January to prepare for early visitors

West & Midwest

Western states typically have hummingbird sightings in the late spring, around mid-May, and the Midwest sees hummingbirds in late-April or mid-May. For Western states, set your feeders and nectar out in late April or early May, and in Midwestern states, set them out in early April and/or May.

Southwest

Some Southwestern states may see hummingbirds year-round or just around March and April since these birds typically migrate to Mexico or Central America for the winter before migrating north again for summer. If you’re used to seeing hummingbirds appear during March or April, set your feeders out around late February or mid-March to prepare for the migration.

How to Prepare & Maintain Your Hummingbird Feeder

Now that you know when to put out hummingbird feeders, it’s important to know what all goes into it, especially if this is your first time attracting hummingbirds to your yard. It’s also important to know proper hummingbird feeder placement and how to keep it clean for your birds to enjoy all season long.

Where to Place Your Feeder

Place your hummingbird feeder in an easily located area of your yard. This location should be somewhere that’s easily seen by the birds flying in – like a yard pole, tree branch, or your porch – and for you to easily see as you go about your day as well. If you have other bird feeders in your yard or trees, keep your hummingbird feeder separate from them, since hummingbirds can be aggressive feeders and will not hang out near other birds.

Don’t forget hooks to hang your feeder on! If you have a yard, choose a pole stand that anchors in the ground and has a curved end for the hook of the feeder to sit on. If your porch has a roof hook, you can position your feeder on the hook for the hummingbirds to fly too. Sturdy tree branches are typically able to hold your hummingbird feeder without any extra hooks.

Tip!

Learn about the other types of bird feeders and how to choose the right one for your yard in our guide: Types of Bird Feeders: How to Choose the Right One

How to Clean Your Feeder

Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned once or twice a week, especially when the weather is hot. This is also when you should replace your hummingbird nectar to keep it fresh for hummingbirds to continue visiting.

You will need the following materials to clean your feeder:

• 1 qt. of water
• ¼ cup of distilled white vinegar
• Bottle brush
• Microfiber towel

Follow these step-by-step instructions to properly clean your hummingbird feeder.

1. Empty out old nectar from your feeder.
2. Fill the reservoir with water and distilled white vinegar.
3. Let the solution soak for at least 10 minutes.
4. Scrub inside the reservoir with your bottle brush.
5. Dump out the solution and rinse with warm water.
6. Let the feeder air-dry or dry it with a lint-free microfiber towel.
7. Refill your feeder and hang it back up.

When to Take Down Your Hummingbird Feeder

Most people start taking down their hummingbird feeders between the months of September and November. When exactly you take down your feeder depends on your region and when the hummingbirds migrate away from your area. Ideally, it’s okay to take your hummingbird feeder down two to three weeks after you’ve seen your last visitor.

When you take down your feeder, clean it one more time to keep it fresh as you store it in a climate-controlled location, before pulling it back out for early spring prep next year.

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