When is the right time to put out hummingbird feeders?

[spinbaby]

We’ve decided to feed the little guys this year. According to the online maps, their average date of arrival in my area is April 15. How far ahead of April 15 should I put out the feeder?

[WhiteTara]

1. When they show up.

You don't want the sugar water to sit around because it can grow bacteria and kill your little friends. They'll let you know when they come dive bombing in saying food food!

[LakeArenal]

2. Anytime it isn't freezing.

They can show up anytime. If you had a feeder out last year, they will come looking

[spinbaby]

6. We're due for a warmish stretch

I think I’ll put out a feeder.

[hlthe2b]

3. I've no idea where you are, but in Colorado, it is generally mid-late April to late May...

As with plants, I tend to never put anything out before Mother's day, given our tendency for late snows, but that comes late this year (May 12).

Obviously, it depends on where you are...

[Harker]

10. When I lived near Estes Park...

they were called "hummingbear" feeders.

We learned the hard way to bring them in at night.

[Wellstone ruled]

4. Depends where you live.

The Migration is on. Reason we know is,just by the amount of Juice that is consumed daily out of our feeders. Here we never shut down our feeders. But this is Vegas,and the heaviest Migration is the Eastern Arizona area New Mexico as well as Texas.

Our feeders usually need replenishment weekly,notice today we will need going into the five day replenishment schedule.

Living in the Mid West,we pulled our feeders the middle of October,and put them back out when the first blossoms appear,usually mid April.

Great rule as to Spring,it moves at the rate of ten miles a day.

[Irishxs]

5. In Tennessee, April 15, is the magic day for planting, feeding, etc. We just had a 2 night freeze,

so I’m a believer.

[IADEMO2004]

7. My place in SW Iowa earliest Hummer for the last 40 yrs April 15 usual is 10-20 days later.

Country house in a rural county.

[shraby]

8. Just make sure they are big enough around that 2 can eat at the same time

without seeing each other much. Or if you have two feeders space them pretty good.
They are very territorial and will chase the other one away.

We had one last year who would sit in the tree that is by our deck and every time another one came to eat, he' swoop down and chase it away cause that was his.

[csziggy]

9. Check the map to see where they have been sighted

Spring 2019 Hummingbird Migration Map & Sightings
https://www.hummingbirdcentral.com/hummingbird-migration-spring-2019-map.htm

[Ponietz]

11. My first hummer flew up to the feeder yesterday (April 6)

It was ready for him.

[gaiadiversity]

12. You might already know

this, but make sure and only use the 4 to 1 ratio, like four cups water to one cup sugar. Never use red dye.

Also regular cleaning and changing of the nectar is important for hummingbird health.

Here at my house in Tucson we've already had the first batch of Broad-billed hummingbird fledglings.

Hope you have good luck and lots of hummingbird visitors ❤️🐦

[Arkansas Granny]

13. I put mine out 4/9, but I haven't had any visitors yet. They are new feeders, but in the same

place that I've had feeders for several years. I've checked the hummingbird migration site and it looks like there have been a couple of sightings in my area this week. I hope to see some activity soon.

https://www.hummingbird-guide.com/hummingbird-migration-spring-2019.html#spring-migration-map-2019

[Arkansas Granny]

14. Yay! I just saw my first hummingbird. It was a ruby throated male.

[spinbaby]

15. We haven't seen them yet

But an oriole has discovered the feeders. If they’re here, the hummingbirds can’t be far behind.