Can you leave a hummingbird feeder out year-round?

Many hummingbird species are migratory and travel thousands of miles throughout the year.

They spend the winter in Mexico and Central America and the warmer months spread across the United States and Canada. Some species can be found year-round in states like California and Arizona.

Where you live is the most important factor when deciding whether to leave your hummingbird feeder out year-round.

Migratory behavior of hummingbirds

Hummingbird species spread out across North America during the warm seasons. These little birds are masterful migrators despite their tiny size.

Hummingbirds follow the seasons. Some species are found as far north as Alaska or the Yukon during the summer but they typically migrate south before the weather cools down.

Food is the primary factor for their wide migrations.

Hummingbirds main food source is nectar from flowers. Their migration path follows when flowers bloom across North America so that they can maximize their access to nectar.

It is truly amazing how far hummingbirds travel just to get a bite to eat.

As fall arrives, hummingbirds prepare to migrate south because there are few flowers available to them – and zero flowers available through regions with harsh winters.

Just before their migration they are trying to increase their caloric intake to build their strength. Providing a hummingbird feeder late into the season will help them build up their energy supplies before this long journey.

Geography is the deciding factor for leaving a hummingbird feeder out year-round

If you live in the southern United States, there is the chance that some hummingbird species may remain in your area year-round.

Some species that remain in California year-round are:

• Anna’s hummingbirds
• Allen’s hummingbirds
• Black chinned hummingbirds

Each of these species have expanded their territory alongside humans. They have benefitted from flowers being planted in people’s gardens and are found in healthy populations in California throughout the year.

If you live in California, leaving a hummingbird feeder outside year-round will provide these local species with a consistent food source throughout the milder months of the year.

It is important to keep the hummingbird feeder out consistently through winter because these birds will come to rely on it as a staple in their diet.

If you live further north, leaving a hummingbird feeder out later into the colder seasons is a good idea. It provides them more opportunity to feed before setting off on their long trip.

Will providing a feeder in winter affect hummingbird migration?

The short answer to this question is no.

Hummingbirds may linger for a few extra days to take advantage of a hummingbird feeder but it will not change their migratory behavior.

They are migratory species and are genetically programmed to travel south. Hummingbirds respond instinctively to the shortening of the days and cooling temperatures. They will not be dissuaded by a food source – no matter how tasty it is.

If you live in a part of the country where hummingbirds spend the winter, providing a well-maintained hummingbird feeder through the winter is just as welcome as in the summer.  

How to help hummingbirds in colder weather

If you notice that hummingbirds are remaining in your area late into the season, there are several things you can do to help them prepare for their long journey:

• Continue to provide a consistent food source: Hummingbirds are likely congregating in your yard because your feeder provides a reliable meal. Continue to leave this out for as long as they come to feed.
• Do not let the nectar in your feeder freeze: Hummingbirds are sensitive to cold and can become cold-stunned by nectar that is close to freezing temperature. As the nights begin cooling off it may be a good idea to bring the feeder indoors to prevent it from freezing. Return it to the garden in the morning as normal.
• Increase the sugar content in the nectar: We recommend you increase the sugar concentration late into the season because it will help hummingbirds build their energy supplies. Increasing the nectar solution to two parts sugar and 3 parts water makes it more calorically dense which benefits hummingbirds before their long migrations.

Following these steps will help the hummingbirds in your neighborhood late into the year.

Make sure to maintain the feeder that same way that you would during the summer months because hummingbirds will come to rely on the consistent food source. Doing this will help keep the hummingbirds healthy and make your yard one of their final stops of the season.

Did you find this article about whether to keep your hummingbird feeder out all year helpful? Let us know in the comments.

Here are some other articles we have written in our hummingbird series:

• Are hummingbirds territorial?
• How to keep bees away from your hummingbird feeder
• 5 simple tricks for feeding hummingbirds

If there is a specific topic you would like us to cover, please let us know through our contact page.