Hummingbird Migration Map: US Timing

Hummingbird migration timing

Ruby-throated hummingbirds arrive in the South in late March and reach northern states by May. They leave from August through October. In western states, 15+ species have distinct migration schedules — the rufous hummingbird alone makes one of the longest migrations of any bird relative to its body size.

Migration timing varies significantly across the US. A hummingbird feeder put out in April in Mississippi may attract birds by the first week; the same feeder in Minnesota may sit empty until early May. Using arrival dates calibrated to your zone and region gets you ready at the right time.

Ruby-throated hummingbird migration dates (eastern US)

The ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is the sole breeding hummingbird in most eastern states. It winters in Central America and Mexico and migrates north each spring.

Data source: Journey North citizen science database, aggregating 30+ years of observer reports.

Males arrive before females by 1–2 weeks. If you see one male in early May, expect females within the next 10–14 days.

Western US hummingbird species and migration

The western US hosts far more hummingbird diversity than the East. Each species has its own migration timing:

The rufous migration path: Rufous hummingbirds breed as far north as Alaska and follow a figure-8 migration route. They travel north along the Pacific Coast in spring, then return south through the Rockies in late summer. This creates two separate migration windows for gardeners in the intermountain West — a spring wave (April–May) and a fall southbound wave (July–August).

How to use migration maps

Real-time hummingbird migration data is available from two main sources:

Journey North (journeynorth.org): Displays citizen-science sighting reports on an interactive map. Updated daily during migration season. You can see the “wave” of sightings advancing northward in real time. This is the best tool for knowing exactly when birds are passing through your specific area.

Hummingbird Central (hummingbirdcentral.com): Provides regional migration charts and sighting reports organized by state and year.

Both sites allow you to submit your own sighting reports, contributing to the database that other gardeners use.

When to put out feeders

Put your feeders out 7–14 days before expected arrival dates in your area. Early arrivals — scout males — pass through before the main migration wave. A feeder that’s ready when the first birds arrive establishes your garden as a reliable stop.

Feeder solution recipe:

• 1 cup white granulated sugar
• 4 cups water
• Boil water, stir in sugar until dissolved
• Cool completely before filling feeder
• No red dye needed — it provides no benefit and some research links it to bird health concerns

Feeder maintenance:

• Change solution every 2–3 days in temperatures above 75°F
• Change every 4–5 days in cooler weather
• Clean feeder with hot water and a bottle brush when changing solution
• A cloudy or slightly dark solution is fermenting — change it immediately

See hummingbird food recipe for detailed preparation and feeder type guidance.

When to take down feeders in fall

A common concern: will keeping feeders up in fall prevent hummingbirds from migrating?

No. Hummingbirds migrate in response to day length (photoperiod), not food availability. A feeder full of sugar solution will not cause a healthy bird to delay migration. Removing feeders early actually denies food to late migrants passing through.

Recommendation: Leave feeders up until 2 weeks after you’ve seen your last hummingbird. This ensures late migrants have a food source. In northern states, this typically means removing feeders in early to mid-October.

Plants that attract hummingbirds

Native plants with red, tubular flowers are preferred by hummingbirds. Research from Cornell Lab of Ornithology shows native plants are visited more frequently than feeders when both are available.

Best hummingbird plants by region:

For a garden focused on attracting pollinators including hummingbirds, see attract pollinators to your garden and mosquito repellent plants for plants that serve dual purposes.

Building a hummingbird-friendly garden

Beyond feeders and flowers, the following practices increase hummingbird activity:

Water: Hummingbirds bathe in moving water sources. A mister or dripper that creates fine spray is highly attractive. Traditional birdbaths are less appealing because hummingbirds prefer to fly through or hover in mist rather than standing in still water.

Perches: Hummingbirds use perches between feeder visits and for territorial display. Leave dead branch tips, thin bamboo stakes, or wire trellises near feeders.

Pesticide-free zone: Hummingbirds eat small insects in addition to nectar — up to 40% of their diet consists of insects for protein. Pesticide use reduces the insect supply they need. Avoid insecticides within 50 feet of known hummingbird activity areas.

Minimize red in non-plant context: Hummingbirds investigate red objects. A red garden tag or red glove can draw a bird in for investigation, but consistent reliable food sources — flowers and well-maintained feeders — are what keep them returning.

According to the USDA Forest Service, planting native hummingbird plants in combination with feeders produces more birds per garden than feeders alone, and the plant-attracted birds tend to stay longer and revisit more consistently during the migration season.