When To Put Out Hummingbird Feeders In Each State


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It is helpful to know the best times to put out your hummingbird feeders. This can allow you to maximize how often you see hummingbirds as well as provide them with nutrition.

There are 15 species of hummingbirds living in the United States. Nine vagrant ones also sometimes visit the U.S. outside of their usual wintering and breeding grounds.

The migratory patterns and paths of different species of hummingbirds vary from state to state.

Information About Putting Out Hummingbird Feeders 

The table below provides information based on migration maps and reputable sources, such as the American Bird Conservatory, state wildlife and fish departments, and the National Audubon Society.

Please keep in mind the following:

  • Monthly ranges are estimates and birds may arrive earlier or later than stated.
  • Changing weather patterns can affect the timing of migration.
  • Since the climate and temperature ranges vary across the United States, you’ll notice regional similarities due to shared migration routes.
  • Some coastal & southern states can leave feeders out year-round.
  • Hummingbirds listed “to see” in each state are subject to change.
  • The table includes common and rare sightings, so it is possible that some of the listed hummingbirds have not been seen by many people.

Generally, hummingbirds migrate to the United States to breed and raise offspring in warmer weather. This means that March through May are the typical months for putting out hummingbird feeders. 

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Early migrants will visit feeders if the temperatures are well above freezing. Some hummingbirds are permanent residents in certain states and therefore feed from feeders year-round.

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The following table provides individual state information:

StateFeeder Placement MonthsHummingbirds To See
AlabamaLate March - early AprilAllen’s
Anna’s
Black-chinned
Broad-billed
Broad-tailed
Buff-bellied
Calliope
Ruby-throated
Rufous
AlaskaLate April - early MayRufous (common)
Anna’s
Calliope
Costa’s
ArizonaYear-round (Anna’s)

April - May (others)
Allen’s
Anna’s
Berylline
Black-chinned
Blue-throated
Broad-billed
Broad-tailed
Calliope
Costa’s
Green violetear
Lucifer
Plain-capped
Rivoli's
Ruby-throated
Rufous
Violet-crowned
White-eared
ArkansasLate March - early AprilAnna’s
Broad-billed
Black-chinned
Broad-tailed
Calliope
Ruby-throated
Rufous
CaliforniaYear-round (in southern parts)

Mid-March - early April
Allen’s
Anna’s
Black-chinned
Blue-throated mountain gem
Broad-billed
Broad-tailed
Calliope
Costa’s
Green violetear
Rivoli's
Ruby-throated
Rufous
Violet-crowned
ColoradoMid-April - mid-OctoberAnna’s
Black-chinned
Blue-throated mountain gem
Broad-billed
Broad-tailed
Calliope
Costa’s
Rivoli's
Rufous
White-eared
ConnecticutLate April - early MayRuby-throated
Rufous
Calliope
DelawareMid - late AprilAllen’s
Black-chinned
Calliope
Ruby-throated
Rufous
FloridaYear-round (in warmest parts)

Early March - September
Allen’s
Anna’s
Bahama woodstar
Black-chinned
Broad-billed
Broad-tailed
Buff-bellied
Calliope
Costa’s
Ruby-throated
Rufous
GeorgiaYear-round for some species

Late February - early March
Allen’s
Anna’s
Black-chinned
Broad-billed
Broad-tailed
Buff-bellied
Calliope
Green-breasted mango
Rivoli's
Ruby-throated 
Rufous
HawaiiN/AThere are no hummingbirds in Hawaii. 

They are also banned from being introduced to the island.
IdahoEarly - mid-AprilAnna’s
Black-chinned
Broad-tailed
Calliope
Ruby-throated
Rufous
IllinoisEarly May - late AprilAnna’s
Broad-billed
Ruby-throated
Rufous
Green violetear
IndianaMid - late AprilAnna’s
Calliope
Ruby-throated
Rufous
IowaLate April - early MayAnna’s
Broad-billed
Ruby-throated
Rufous
KansasEarly - mid-AprilAnna’s
Black-chinned
Broad-billed
Broad-tailed
Calliope
Costa’s
Ruby-throated
Rufous
KentuckyEarly - mid-AprilBlack-chinned
Ruby-throated
Rufous
LouisianaMid-March - AprilAllen’s
Anna’s
Black-chinned
Broad-billed
Broad-tailed
Buff-bellied
Calliope
Ruby-throated
Rufous
MaineEarly MayRuby-throated
Rufous
MarylandEarly May - late AprilAllen’s
Anna’s
Black-chinned
Calliope
Ruby-throated
Rufous
MassachusettsLate April - early MayAllen’s
Black-chinned
Calliope
Ruby-throated
Rufous
MichiganMid-April - early MayAnna’s
Broad-billed
Green violetear
Ruby-throated
Rufous
White-eared
MinnesotaEarly MayAnna’s
Calliope
Ruby-throated
Rufous
MississippiMid-March - mid-AprilAnna’s
Allen’s
Black-chinned
Broad-tailed
Broad-billed
Buff-bellied
Calliope
Ruby-throated
Rufous
MissouriEarly April - late MayAnna’s
Calliope
Ruby-throated
Rufous
MontanaLate April - mid-MayAnna’s
Black-chinned
Broad-tailed
Calliope
Costa’s
Ruby-throated
Rufous
NebraskaYear-round

Early April
Anna’s
Black-chinned
Broad-tailed
Calliope
Ruby-throated
Rufous
NevadaYear-round

Early April
Anna’s
Broad-billed
Broad-tailed
Black-chinned
Calliope
Costa’s
Rufous
New HampshireEarly MayCalliope
Ruby-throated
Rufous
New JerseyLate April - early MayAllen’s
Black-chinned
Calliope
Ruby-throated
Rufous
New MexicoLate March - early AprilAllen’s
Anna’s
Berylline
Blue-throated mountain gem
Broad-billed
Broad-tailed
Black-chinned
Calliope
Costa’s
Green violetear
Lucifer
Rivoli's
Ruby-throated
Rufous
Violet-crowned
White-eared
New YorkLate April - early MayCalliope
Ruby-throated
Rufous
North CarolinaLate March - early MayAllen’s
Anna’s
Black-chinned
Broad-billed
Broad-tailed
Calliope
Ruby-throated
Rufous
North DakotaMid-May (rare sightings)Calliope
Ruby-throated
Rufous
OhioMid - late AprilAllen’s
Anna’s
Calliope
Ruby-throated
Rufous
OklahomaMid-AprilBlack-chinned
Broad-tailed
Calliope
Ruby-throated
Rufous
OregonLate February - early MarchAllen’s
Anna’s
Black-chinned
Broad-billed
Broad-tailed
Calliope
Costa’s
Ruby-throated
Rufous
PennsylvaniaEarly - mid-AprilAllen’s
Anna’s
Black-chinned
Calliope
Ruby-throated
Rufous
Rhode IslandLate April - early MayRuby-throated
Rufous
South CarolinaYear-round

Mid-March
Black-chinned
Calliope
Ruby-throated
Rufous
South DakotaMid-May (rare sightings)Anna’s
Black-chinned
Broad-tailed
Calliope
Ruby-throated
Rufous
TennesseeEarly - mid-AprilAllen’s
Anna’s
Black-chinned
Broad-tailed
Calliope
Ruby-throated
Rufous
TexasMid-March - early AprilAllen’s
Anna’s
Berylline
Black-chinned
Blue-throated mountain gem
Broad-billed
Broad-tailed
Buff-bellied
Calliope
Green-breasted mango
Green violetear
Lucifer
Magnificent
Ruby-throated
Rufous
Violet-crowned
White-eared
UtahLate April - early MayAnna’s
Black-chinned
Broad-billed
Broad-tailed
Calliope
Costa’s
Rivoli's
Ruby-throated
Rufous
VermontEarly MayRuby-throated
Rufous
VirginiaMid-AprilAllen’s
Black-chinned
Buff-bellied
Calliope
Rivoli's
Ruby-throated
Rufous
WashingtonLate February - early MarchAnna’s
Black-chinned
Calliope
Costa’s
Rufous
West VirginiaMid-AprilRuby-throated
Rufous
WisconsinLate April - early MayAnna’s
Broad-billed
Ruby-throated
Rufous
WyomingMid-MayAnna’s
Black-chinned
Broad-tailed
Calliope
Ruby-throated
Rufous
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We have several other articles about hummingbirds and feeders that you find to be helpful. We hope you’ll check them out!

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James Goodman

James is a native Texan with a love for birding and outdoor adventures. When he's not birdwatching, you can find him hiking, camping or playing the piano.

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