Georgia · Southeast
When to put out hummingbird feeders in Georgia
Put feeders out by February 20. First arrivals typically show up early to mid-March (late February on the coast), and an early feeder greets the hungry vanguard.
Put feeders out by
February 20
First arrivals
early to mid-March (late February on the coast)
Peak season
April through September
Take down after
late November — many Georgia birders keep a winter feeder for western visitors
Feeders up from February 20 until late november — many georgia birders keep a winter feeder for western visitors.
The Georgia season
Coastal Georgia sees the first Gulf-crossing arrivals in late February, with the Piedmont and Atlanta area following in mid-March and the Blue Ridge in early April. Georgia runs one of the Southeast's most active winter-hummingbird banding programs — a feeder left up past Thanksgiving has real odds of hosting a Rufous.
The two-week head start matters more than it looks: the first migrants arrive before most nectar flowers open, and a reliable feeder can anchor a male's breeding territory in your yard for the whole summer. At the other end, keep the feeder up until late november — many georgia birders keep a winter feeder for western visitors — southbound stragglers, often the year's young, are the birds that need it most.
Hummingbird species in Georgia
| Species | Status in Georgia |
|---|---|
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Spring–summer breeder |
| Rufous Hummingbird | Winter visitor |
Filling the feeder? The recipe is 4 parts water to 1 part plain white sugar — scale it to your feeder in one click.
Nectar calculatorFrequently asked questions
When should I put out hummingbird feeders in Georgia?
Have feeders out by February 20 — about two weeks before the first birds typically arrive (early to mid-March (late February on the coast)). The vanguard males travel ahead of the main wave, and an early feeder helps them refuel when few flowers are blooming.
When should I take down hummingbird feeders in Georgia?
late November — many Georgia birders keep a winter feeder for western visitors. And don't worry about tempting birds to stay too long: migration is triggered by day length, not food. A full feeder will never stop a hummingbird from leaving — it simply fuels late stragglers, which need the help most.
Do hummingbirds stay in Georgia year-round?
No — Georgia's hummingbirds head south for the winter, with the last birds typically gone by late October. If you see a hummingbird at a feeder in late fall or winter, look closely: it may be a rare western visitor such as a Rufous Hummingbird, worth reporting to your local birding group.
What should I put in the feeder?
Plain white sugar and water at a 4:1 ratio — 1 cup of sugar per 4 cups of water. Never use honey, brown sugar, or red dye. Our nectar calculator scales the recipe to any feeder size.
Nearby states
FeederDates › Hummingbirds › Georgia feeder dates · All Georgia feeder dates