When to Put Out Hummingbird Feeders in Wisconsin
The ruby-throated hummingbird is the only species of hummingbird that spends the summer in Wisconsin. The birds migrate back to the state each spring. They arrive just as the nectar-rich flowers start blooming. Does this Spark an idea?
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Timing
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Ruby-throated hummingbirds spend winter in Central America. They migrate northward beginning in March and continuing through May. By the end of the first week of April, the hummingbirds have arrived in southern Wisconsin. Hummingbird feeders should be put out in early April to get ready for the first arrivals.
Males
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Male hummingbirds arrive first. The colorful males arrive early to find the best territories so they can attract female hummingbirds with which to mate. Sometimes the males arrive before natural foods are available, making feeders an important source of food.
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Females
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By the time the females arrive in Wisconsin, natural food sources are more bountiful, giving them a better chance at survival. Hummingbird feeders offer an additional source of food that helps the females get ready to build a nest and lay their eggs.
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