North Dakota · Midwest
When to put out hummingbird feeders in North Dakota
Put feeders out by April 25. First arrivals typically show up mid-May, and an early feeder greets the hungry vanguard.
Put feeders out by
April 25
First arrivals
mid-May
Peak season
June through August
Take down after
early October
Feeders up from April 25 until early october.
The North Dakota season
North Dakota is the far northwestern edge of the Ruby-throated's range — breeding is concentrated in the wooded Turtle Mountains, Pembina Gorge, and Red River valley. The season is the shortest in the lower 48, so a feeder out by late April catches the whole show.
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 early october — southbound stragglers, often the year's young, are the birds that need it most.
Hummingbird species in North Dakota
| Species | Status in North Dakota |
|---|---|
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Spring–summer breeder |
| Rufous Hummingbird | Rare / occasional |
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 North Dakota?
Have feeders out by April 25 — about two weeks before the first birds typically arrive (mid-May). 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 North Dakota?
early October. 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 North Dakota year-round?
No — North Dakota's hummingbirds head south for the winter, with the last birds typically gone by mid-September. 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
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