Hummingbirds in West Virginia are heading our way! The ruby-throated hummingbird has begun its migratory trek north from the Gulf of Mexico and should be passing through West Virginia in early April. These tiny creatures are typically tracked with the help of witnesses who submit the first hummingbird sightings in their areas. In preparation, set up one of the best hummingbird feeders in your yard to attract these beautiful birds. Plant some flowers too, such as butterfly bushes, daylilies, irises, petunias, and foxgloves. And by all means, get your cameras and nature journals ready!

More than 300 species of hummingbirds are in the Western Hemisphere, but we don't see many of them here in West Virginia.
Kevin Long/Flickr
Only 20 or so of those 300 species are present in the United States, and most of them limit their range to the far southern states. But that doesn't mean you won't get to see hummingbirds this year - you will!
When do hummingbirds come back to West Virginia? These hummingbirds are set to pass through West Virginia in April on their way north (and then again in the fall, heading the other direction).
ZankaM, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Only one species of hummingbird passes through West Virginia, the ruby-throated hummingbird, and then only during its migration between the Eastern U.S., Canada, and the Gulf of Mexico each spring and fall. Interestingly, that migration period is becoming earlier and earlier due to overall warmer weather in the United States. The handsome male ruby-throated hummingbirds have a red throat.
Spring is breeding season and the best time to see hummingbirds in West Virginia. They'll come north to have offspring and then travel back south in the fall with those same children.
Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
The females have less color than the males with white or grey feathers at their throats.
Weather and available food sources are the two motivating factors in hummingbird migration.
Andrew Russell/Flickr
How can you help these birds as they make their long journey?

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Hummingbirds sip nectar from flowers, eat small insects typically associated with flowers and weeds, and feed from the back yard.
Sandy Chase/Flickr
The best time to leave out hummingbird feeders in West Virginia is in February or March.
A brightly-colored feeder is a great way to attract the birds, as are tubular flowers that are rich in nectar and well suited for the long beaks of the hummingbird.
C. L. Ricketson/Flickr
You can keep a feeder full of a fresh, clear sugar-water mixture (1 cup water and 1/4 cup sugar) or scatter hummingbird-friendly flowers like columbine, trumpet vine, petunias, and bee-balm throughout your flower beds.
Change the sugar water in your feeders regularly to help keep bacteria from forming, and do not use any red dye in the water.
KSI Photography/Flickr
Once you start filling your feeder, keep it full through the migratory season.
If you've had a hummingbird feeder in your yard for a while you may be feeding recurring visitors.
likeaduck/flickr
Hummingbirds are creatures of habit and they tend to revisit the same food sources during migration. You may have had the same hummingbird friends for years without ever knowing!

Hummingbirds in West Virginia will soon show themselves. We hope you enjoy watching these plucky little birds! They can fly at speeds up to 60 miles per hour, with 75 wing beats per second, and they are the only birds that can fly backward (what?!!). For more information, visit the Hummingbird Central website.

We can’t wait to admire them this spring! Also, be on the lookout for other birds and sharpen your skills with these handy backyard birding flashcards available on the REI website.

Butterflies also pass through West Virginia at certain times of the year, so be on the lookout for them as well!

Stroll Through A Magical Butterfly Wonderland This Spring At The West Virginia Botanic Garden

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Hummingbirds In West Virginia

CC | February 24, 2023

What types of hummingbirds are in West Virginia?

Although the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is one of the most common in the United States, there’s a chance you might see some of these other species of hummingbird around the state during the spring migration.

    • Broad-tailed Hummingbird
    • Black-chinned Hummingbird
    • Calliope Hummingbird
    • Allen’s Hummingbird
    • Anna’s Hummingbird
    • Rufous Hummingbird

Where can I see birds in West Virginia?

Some of the best birdwatching trails in West Virginia include the following:

      • Long Point Trail: This easy three-mile out-and-back trail near Fayetteville is in the endless New River Gorge National Park and Preserve which attracts an abundance of birds and other wildlife. This lovely trail ends with a reward at Long Point View, offering unforgettable peeks of the gorge, the New River, and the New Gorge River Bridge.
      • Canyon Rim Overlook Boardwalk: Only a half mile and you're in on this easy hike near Lansing, West Virginia. The trail is located at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center offering plenty of bird views.
      • North Fork Mountain Trail via WV-28: If you're a beginner, do some practicing before tackling this difficult 22-mile hike near Cabins, WV. Traveling across the spine of North Fork Mountain, you'll reach an elevation of 4,747 feet where a bird or two may be spotted on this gorgeous but challenging trail.

 

When should I hang a hummingbird feeder in West Virginia?

Most people put their hummingbird feeders out in the spring when the bulk of the birds are heading north — which is the best way to attract and support lots of hummingbird visitors. No matter when you set your feeder out, the important thing is to make sure it is clean.

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