The Best Time Of Year To Bring Your Hummingbird Feeders Out Of Storage

Of all birds that you can attract to your yard, hummingbirds are among the most beautiful to watch. But like many birds, most hummingbirds migrate south during the winter, and come back north when spring approaches. Of course, hummingbirds don't magically reappear everywhere all at once, so the best time to bring out your feeders for spring depends on your location. There are 18 species of hummingbirds in North America, but only about eight come to the United States and Canada for breeding in the spring and summer, such as the widespread ruby-throated hummingbird and others on this list of seven beautiful hummingbird species. 

The remaining species generally aren't spotted beyond the U.S.-Mexico border in areas like Texas, Arizona, and the southern tip of California. With that in mind, if you're located on the West Coast, in the Southwest, or in parts of Florida and the Gulf Coast, you'll likely see some hummingbirds year-round, so there's no need to ever place your feeders in storage. Migratory hummingbirds, however, will begin to arrive to the Gulf Coast in early March and make their way to surrounding Southern states like Louisiana, Georgia, and South Carolina from there. 

For those residing further north in states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Iowa, and parts of southern Wisconsin, you'll probably need to wait until April to see any hummingbirds. By May, even far-north locations like Michigan, Minnesota, and parts of Canada will see hummingbirds return. And, of course, Anna's hummingbirds are a year-round resident across the West, even hanging out during the snowy winters of southwestern Canada! This is the hummingbird species you're most likely to spot in your yard in the winter. 

The most important thing to know about hummingbirds is that they tend to follow the same migratory routes every year. They also have great memories for locating the best flower patches and feeders. That's why if you feed hummingbirds once, then you may see the same exact hummingbirds again next year. This also makes nailing down when hummingbirds return less of a mystery. While the outlines above give you a general idea of dates, you can also research your location to further narrow down when hummingbirds have historically returned to that area.

Don't be afraid to hang your feeders a week or two early to catch hummingbirds right when they arrive. When placing feeders, make sure that you avoid common feeder errors like putting them in completely enclosed areas that are hard to see. Placing a feeder about 10 to 15 feet from vegetation also gives them a nearby resting place or quick escape route if needed. Also, always keep your feeder out of direct sun as it can cause your hummingbird nectar to spoil or ferment. 

Lastly, it's important that you keep up with properly cleaning your hummingbird feeders as they can harbor diseases like avian pox, salmonella, and more if not properly maintained. As you feed hummingbirds throughout the year, don't be afraid to take note of what works best for your yard. You can also keep track of specific dates that hummingbirds reappear to stay on top of catching migratory birds when they first return to your area. And if you want to get really scientific about it, online resources like eBird can provide more precise return times and allow you to share your data with others.