Every year, the country experiences one of the most adorable invasions you’ve ever seen – the spring hummingbird migration! When will hummingbirds arrive this year? Well, it depends on what part of the country you live in, but don’t worry… we’ve got everything you need to know to get ready for the hummingbird migration, including what to feed hummingbirds, what type of hummingbirds you can expect to see, and how to fill your hummingbird feeders. Let’s find out all we need to know about the hummingbird migration in the U.S.

Hummingbirds are one of the most marvelous creatures to watch, and the hummingbird migration of 2024 starts as early as March.
Jeebles via Wikipedia
Hummingbirds are only found in the Western Hemisphere, and as the smallest of the birds, you may be surprised to learn how many different species exist. There are over 330 species of hummingbirds, but not all of them are migratory. In fact, only about 15 species will regularly make the migration from Mexico and Central America to the United States and Canada.
Many species prefer to stay put, like Anna’s Hummingbird, pictured below.
Anna's hummingbird
Robert McMorran via Wikipedia
These beauties are year-round residents of the Pacific coastal and southern desert regions like California and Arizona. And you know what? We don't blame them. California is a pretty great place to live year-round.
One of the most common hummingbirds in the South is the ruby-throated hummingbird.
Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird
CarolinaBirdman iStock via Getty Images Plus
These are typically the ones you’ll see first as they continue to head further north reaching final destinations as far north as Canada! Folks along the Gulf Coast have seen the ruby-throated hummingbird as early as March. By early May, many have reached parts of New England including Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Hummingbirds have an excellent memory and are known to return to the same location year after year, and that includes stopping by their favorite hummingbird feeder!
Black-chinned Hummingbird in mid-flight with selective focusing.
Stephanie Sawyer / Moment via Getty Images
If you’re wondering, “What can I feed hummingbirds?” Well, we’ve got you covered. Chances are, you already have the ingredients in your home right now.

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First, you’ll need a hummingbird feeder.
A male ruby-throated hummingbird hovering near a feeder.
Joe Regan / Moment via Getty Images
If you want to attract hummingbirds to your garden, a hummingbird feeder is the easiest way to go. The migration from their winter home is the hardest on them, and they typically gain 25 to 40 percent of their body weight to make the journey. When they arrive they will be hungry!
Next, you’ll need a hummingbird feeder recipe.
Allen's Hummingbird feeding on bladderpod(Peritoma arborea), Southern California.
Bmse / Moment via Getty Images
The goal here is to replicate the nectar found in nature (lantana, zinnias, yentas, milkweed, and salvia are some of their favorites in the wild).
Our recommended mix is four parts water to one part sugar.
Daniel Ripplinger / 500px via Getty Images
We are talking pure, white sugar here. No substitutes, no artificial sweeteners, no brown sugar, just pure, white sugar.
Do not use red dye.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) female with tail feathers spread. The male has a rose red throat. The female has speckled throat and pale cinnamon on the flanks. Southern and Central Rockies and the Great Basin Mountains. Sonoran desert, Arizona.
Ed Reschke / Stone via Getty Images
This is completely unnecessary and can actually be harmful to hummingbirds. The reason many of the hummingbird feeders themselves are red is so that the hummingbirds can see them.

Please do not use red dye in your homemade mixtures!
Be sure to clean it and keep it filled, and before you know it you'll have your own charm!
Carlos Luis Camacho Photographs / Moment via Getty Images
Yep, a "charm" is what a group of hummingbirds is called. Perfect, right?

Now that you know more about the hummingbird migration in the U.S., don’t forget to get your hummingbird feeders filled up. Once you put your feeder up and keep it filled, these little beauties will frequently stop by year after year. Remember, they’ve got excellent memories!

One of the best ways to see these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat is to go on a wildflower hike. Here are some of the best wildflowers hikes in the U.S. – if you are lucky you might even spot a few hummingbirds dancing between flowers.

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Hummingbird Migration In The US

Chris Muras | February 22, 2024

What states do hummingbirds migrate through?
Almost all states in the US will see hummingbirds at some point in the year. With nearly 340 species of hummingbirds, there is a good chance you will see some type of hummingbird in your state. Of those 340 species only about 15 migrate. The only US state that does not have a hummingbird population is Hawaii. One of the most popular hummingbirds in North America is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Typically these tiny birds start migrating from the Gulf of Mexico in early March and spread northward through all of the states in the Middle of the US to the East Coast all the way up to Canada.

When is the best time to see hummingbirds in the US?
The best time to see hummingbirds in the US is during the spring or fall migration. In the Southern US from Texas to Florida, you will see the Ruby-throated Hummingbird migration as early as March 1. By early May they have traveled up to Canada, the upper Midwest, and the New England states. Some states like Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas have permanent hummingbird populations and the most diverse range of hummingbird species.

What are some hummingbird feeding tips?
It is very easy to give these beautiful but tiny creatures a little extra energy for their long adventure through the US. Here are a few hummingbird feeding tips to help them on their journey:

  • One cup of pure cane sugar and four cups of spring water is the perfect feeding mix
  • Hummingbirds are very sensitive to the iron in molasses, so it is important not to use brown sugar.
  • When selecting a hummingbird feeder, make sure the feeder has ports above the liquid to avoid drips that can attract ants and bees.
  • Keeping the feeder at least four feet from ground level will prevent other creatures from reaching the feeder, or from getting to the hungry birds.

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