When to Bring Georgia Hummingbird Feeders Inside

Ruby-throated hummingbirds migrate in the fall.

Some Georgia residents worry that if they leave hummingbird feeders out too long, the birds will not migrate. However, hummingbirds are cued to migrate more by changes in the amount of light per day than by nectar availability.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds

Fall migration of Georgia's ruby-throated hummingbirds usually begins with the departure of males in late September or early October. Females and juveniles remain a bit longer, but the last ruby-throated birds are usually gone by late October.

Other Species

Some other hummingbird species, like rufous and buff-bellied, spend part or most of the winter in Georgia. However, the presence of these birds is rare. If they arrive, they are likely to show up at feeders between the first of November and the end of December. While many people choose to take down feeders after the ruby-throated migration ends, it is possible to see and feed hummingbirds through the winter.

Feeder Maintenance

Hummingbirds that elect to remain in Georgia during the winter need plenty of energy to stay warm. Temperatures can get low enough to freeze hummingbird nectar, so keeping the solution warm and thawed is necessary.

References

• Georgia Hummers: Hummer Happenings
• Charlotte Observer: Hummingbird Feeders Still Attracting Birds
• North Carolina State Cooperative Extension: Hummingbird Home Page