Spring is just around the corner in the Palmetto State and with it comes the annual hummingbird migration north from overwintering spots in Florida, Mexico, southern Texas, and South America. So, when will hummingbirds in South Carolina arrive? During the month of March, thousands of them are expected to migrate to and through the state tracking as far north as Ontario for the breeding season. That’s right, it’s time to gear up for this beautiful natural phenomenon. Prepare your best hummingbird feeders for the beautiful birds coming our way.

Here in South Carolina, the most predominant species of hummingbirds is the Ruby-throated hummingbird, named for the brightly colored bib on its neck.
Flickr/Rick from Georgia
It's the male of this species that has the signature red-throat plumage that the bird is named for. The females sport grey or brown feathers at the throat. You'll spot many other species during the migration as well, each with different colorings and feather patterns.
Although more of them are expected to be seen during the migration north, many may have overwintered right here in the Palmetto State. Still, more may return to South Carolina for the purpose of breeding before migrating southward again in the fall.
Flickr/ Catherine Mullhaupt
As the weather in North America grows warmer each year, hummingbirds are beginning their migration earlier and earlier, and more birds are opting to spend the winter in the southern United States rather than migrating. That gives us more time with these beauties.
You may be wondering how it's all tracked. The website humingbirdcentral.com has been utilizing an interactive map for the last seven years. Hummingbird enthusiasts log their sightings of the winged creatures during each migration season.
hummingbirdcentral.com
The map you see here was a record of migration (and overwinter) sightings of migration in 2021, just to give you an example. To follow this year's map through the spring or add a sighting of your own, you can view it on the Hummingbird Central website. This will help you answer the question, " When do hummingbirds come back to South Carolina?"

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HummingbirdCentral.com tracks the migration north all over North America and a variety of hummingbird species sightings are recorded throughout the season.
hummingbirdcentral.com
During the many years since the website has been utilizing the interactive map, the map has been viewed several million times. We're not the only ones nerding out on hummingbird intel.
South Carolinians should be on the lookout for the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Hummingbirdcentral.com will let you know the best time to see hummingbirds in South Carolina.
Flickr/Michael Janke
Interestingly, you may spot some of the very same Ruby-throated Hummingbirds that you did last year. Hummingbirds are creatures of habit and often return to a place where they've found food before. If you have a hummingbird feeder that you actively maintain you may have been feeding the same birds year after year.
Hummingbirds will beef up their body weight ahead of the migration period in order to store fuel for the long journey.
Flickr/VasenkaPhotography
As they journey to their breeding ground, they'll stop at flowering plants and hummingbird feeders in South Carolina along the way. Hummingbirds are drawn to tubular flowers in bright colors, so plant those if you're hoping to attract some of these interesting birds. You can also paint your feeder red or another vibrant color to draw in hummingbirds but don't add any food coloring to the sugar water you put in the feeder, it's best to stick with a food source closest to what's natural for the birds.
Once they arrive, the breeding begins and a nest is built in a small tree or shrub where the female is the predominant overseer of the eggs and the babies.
Photo: Photography by Alexandra Rudge / Moment Collection via Getty Images
Now that you know a little bit more about the hummingbirds coming our way, it'll be that much more exciting when they arrive.

Soon, it will be spring and with it, thousands of adorable hummingbirds in South Carolina will arrive! Have you spotted any migrating yet this year? Let us know in the comments!

 

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Hummingbirds In South Carolina

CC | February 19, 2023

What types of hummingbirds are in South Carolina?

Although you’re likely to spot the Ruby-throated hummingbirds the most, you might also see these species of hummingbird in South Carolina during the migration.

  • Ruby-throated Hummingbird
  • Rufous Hummingbird
  • Anna’s Hummingbird
  • Black-chinned Hummingbird
  • Calliope Hummingbird
  • Broad-tailed hummingbird

 

What is the best time to leave out hummingbird feeders in South Carolina?

You can leave your feeder out year-round to cater to the birds that winter in the United States. But more and more feeders will be put out across the country in the springtime. No matter what, you’ll want to find the best hummingbird feeders for the hungry birds.

Is it safe to feed hummingbirds in South Carolina?

Absolutely! It is safe to feed hummingbirds in South Carolina. After traveling all those miles, these birds are going to want to eat.

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