Louisiana · Southeast
When to put out hummingbird feeders in Louisiana
Hummingbirds are part of Louisiana in every season — here's how to time and manage feeders through the year.
Put feeders out by
February 10
First arrivals
late February to early March
Peak season
March through September, plus a genuine winter season
Take down after
Leave up all winter — Louisiana is the winter-hummingbird capital of the East
Keep at least one feeder available in every month.
The Louisiana season
Louisiana rewrote the rulebook on winter hummingbirds: banders in Baton Rouge and New Orleans gardens have documented a dozen-plus species between November and February, led by Rufous and Black-chinned, with Buff-bellied annual. A south Louisiana feeder should simply never come down.
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.
Hummingbird species in Louisiana
| Species | Status in Louisiana |
|---|---|
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Spring–summer breeder |
| Rufous Hummingbird | Winter visitor |
| Black-chinned Hummingbird | Winter visitor |
| Buff-bellied 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 Louisiana?
In Louisiana there is no need to wait — hummingbirds are present all or nearly all year, so a feeder is useful in any month. February 10.
When should I take down hummingbird feeders in Louisiana?
Leave up all winter — Louisiana is the winter-hummingbird capital of the East. 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 Louisiana year-round?
Largely, yes. Louisiana rewrote the rulebook on winter hummingbirds: banders in Baton Rouge and New Orleans gardens have documented a dozen-plus species between November and February, led by Rufous and Black-chinned, with Buff-bellied annual.
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 › Louisiana feeder dates · All Louisiana feeder dates