Hummingbird Migration Timing

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is the only breeding hummingbird species in the eastern United States. Each spring, these remarkable birds cross the Gulf of Mexico in a single non-stop flight of 500+ miles to reach the Southeast.

Timing varies significantly by latitude and proximity to the coast. Use the table below to find when hummingbirds typically arrive and depart in your specific area of Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, or Alabama.

Regional Migration Schedule

Data based on eBird observations and historical records. Dates are approximate and vary year to year with weather patterns.

Region Zone Spring Arrival Peak Activity Fall Departure Notes
South Florida Coastal Mid-February March–September Late October Some overwinter; earliest arrivals in SE US
Central Florida Inland Late February March–September Mid-October —
North Florida Piedmont Early March April–September Early October —
South Georgia / South Alabama Coastal Plain Late February–Early March March–September Mid-October Near Gulf Coast
Central Georgia / Central Alabama Piedmont Mid-March April–September Early October Atlanta metro area
North Georgia / North Alabama Mountains Late March–Early April May–August Late September Higher elevation = later arrival
South Carolina Coast Coastal Early March March–September Mid-October Charleston area
South Carolina Midlands Piedmont Mid-March April–September Early October Columbia area
South Carolina Upstate Mountains Late March April–September Late September Greenville area
Spring arrival dates Fall departure dates

Key Migration Patterns

Latitude Matters

Southern areas (Florida, Gulf Coast) see arrivals as early as mid-February, while mountain areas in north Georgia and upstate South Carolina may not see birds until late March or early April.

Coastal Advantage

Coastal areas tend to receive birds earlier in spring and hold them later in fall. The moderating effect of the ocean and concentration of insect food along the coast keeps birds active longer.

Put Feeders Out Early

Scout birds arrive 1–2 weeks before the main wave. Hang your feeders at least two weeks before expected arrival dates to catch the earliest migrants.

Personalized Status on Our Home Page

The geolocation widget on our home page uses your browser's location (with your permission) to detect which Southeast region you are in. It then cross-references the migration table above to tell you:

  • Before season: When to expect arrivals in your area and when to put feeders out
  • During peak season: Reminders to keep nectar fresh and feeders clean
  • During fall migration: Encouragement to keep feeders up for stragglers
  • After season: A reminder of when birds will return, and a note about rare winter visitors

Your location data stays in your browser and is never sent to our servers. The matching is done entirely client-side.

Migration Tips for Southeast Birders

Spring Feeder Strategy

Put feeders out at least two weeks before expected arrival. Start with one feeder of fresh nectar (4:1 water to sugar ratio). Scouts will find it and attract more birds. Increase the number of feeders as the season progresses.

Fall Feeder Strategy

Keep feeders up for at least two weeks after you see the last bird. Contrary to popular myth, leaving feeders up does not prevent hummingbirds from migrating. In fact, late feeders can be a lifeline for exhausted stragglers.

Winter Visitors

Consider keeping one feeder up through winter, especially along the Gulf Coast and in South Florida. Rufous, Black-chinned, and Calliope Hummingbirds are rare but regular winter visitors to the Southeast. See our Species Guide for identification help.

Track Your Sightings

Report your first-of-season sighting to eBird to help scientists refine migration timing data. Your observations contribute to the citizen science data that makes guides like this one possible.

Plan Your Season Month by Month

Our seasonal calendar gives you a detailed month-by-month guide covering feeding schedules, feeder maintenance, and what to watch for throughout the year.

View Seasonal Calendar

Sources

  • 1. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. "Ruby-throated Hummingbird." All About Birds. allaboutbirds.org
  • 2. eBird. "Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Occurrence Maps." ebird.org
  • 3. Williamson, S. L. (2001). A Field Guide to Hummingbirds of North America (Peterson Field Guides). Houghton Mifflin.
  • 4. The Hummingbird Society. "Migration Map." hummingbirdsociety.org