When to Take Down Hummingbird Feeders

Many people believe that they have to take down their hummingbird feeders when colder weather approaches to encourage the tiny birds to migrate south. That's not true. Hummingbirds instinctively know when to head for warmer climes, so you don't have to worry about delaying their travels by keeping your feeders up too long.

  1. Hummingbird Instinct

    • Hummingbirds do not linger in an area just because there is food available. They will move on when they sense that the days are getting shorter. The decrease in the number of daylight hours signals to them that colder weather is coming. Even if you leave your feeders filled to the brim with nectar well past the first frost, hummingbirds will begin their migration when instinct and Mother Nature tell them it's time.

    Wait a While

    • As the days get shorter, you will probably see fewer and fewer hummingbirds coming to your feeders. Don't take their food away just yet. In fact, leave your feeders out for a few weeks after you think you have seen your last hummingbird of the season. There is still a chance that a stray hummingbird or two will stop by. Females and newly hatched hummingbirds tend to migrate later than males. Other hummingbirds head out late because of illness or injury; they will be looking for some nourishment to help them on their way.

    Geography Lesson

    • Exactly when to take down your hummingbird feeder depends on where you live. In the northeastern United States, you might remove your feeders at the end of September. In the South, the date could be closer to Thanksgiving. In some areas, it's not necessary to remove your feeders. On the Pacific Coast, a species known as Anna's hummingbirds do not migrate, so you will want to provide nectar for them year-round. Other spots along the Mexican border also have non-migratory species that need nectar all winter.

    Hints

    • Keeping track of the dates when you see your first and last hummingbird can help you plan when to put your feeders out and when to take them down each year. If you are worried about cold nights causing the nectar to freeze, shine a light of at least 150 watts on the feeder.