Information on When to Take Down Hummingbird Feeders

Midwestern United States

• Hummingbird species seen in the Midwest include black-chinned, ruby-throated, calliope and broad-tailed. In the northern Midwestern states, hummingbirds may migrate as early as August. Although hummingbird sightings are rare after the end of November in the Midwest, the Missouri Department of Conservation recommends leaving your feeder up until after Thanksgiving to attract vagrant or late-season hummingbirds. When leaving your feeder up, try to place it near areas with good ground cover, as hummingbirds will roost in these areas. If the temperature is below freezing, you should take the feeder inside overnight and put it outside during the early morning.

Western and Southwestern United States

• Black-chinned, blue-throated, calliope, ruby-throated, Allen's, Costa's and rufous are species seen in the Southwest. Many hummingbirds winter in Mexico, leaving the West Coast in mid-August to September, with some states such as California seeing vagrant hummingbirds that stay for the winter. Keeping your feeder out year-round may help provide nourishment for vagrant hummingbirds. Vagrant hummingbirds may be initially attracted to late-blooming plants, such as pineapple sage and red salvia. After the occasional frost kills these blooms, the hummingbirds will flock toward feeders. These hummingbirds can survive as long as the water in the feeders doesn't freeze.

Southeastern United States

• If you live in the southeastern United States, leaving your feeder out past Thanksgiving may attract hummingbirds that have migrated east of their usual migration pattern. In spring, hummingbirds migrate up the Pacific Coast and pass through California from February to May. According to Humminbirds.net, one theory for this is that dry winter conditions reduce the food supply of hummingbirds that travel through Mexico, changing the migration pattern northeast up the Gulf Coast to the southeastern United States.

Non-Migratory Hummingbirds

• Anna's Hummingbird, or Calypte Anna, is the most common hummingbird in California and is a permanent resident of the U.S. or Canada. Anna's hummingbirds are also seen in Oregon, Washington and Vancouver Island. The green-breasted mango is a nonmigratory hummingbird that has been seen in southern Texas. If you leave a feeder out year-round, the hummingbirds will stay year-round. Otherwise, these hummingbirds may move locally to find other sources of food.