Washington · Pacific
When to put out hummingbird feeders in Washington
Hummingbirds are part of Washington in every season — here's how to time and manage feeders through the year.
Put feeders out by
Year-round west of the Cascades; March 15 on the east side
First arrivals
Anna's are present all year in the lowlands; Rufous return in early to mid-March
Peak season
March through August
Take down after
Leave up year-round west of the Cascades; mid-October on the east side
Keep at least one feeder available in every month.
The Washington season
Seattle's Anna's Hummingbirds tough out snowstorms at heated or hand-thawed feeders — winter feeding is a real commitment here, and a rewarded one. Rufous reach the Puget lowlands in early March and the Cascades by May, while the dry east side runs on Calliope and Black-chinned time.
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 Washington
| Species | Status in Washington |
|---|---|
| Anna's Hummingbird | Year-round resident |
| Rufous Hummingbird | Spring–summer breeder |
| Calliope Hummingbird | Spring–summer breeder |
| Black-chinned Hummingbird | Spring–summer breeder |
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 Washington?
In Washington there is no need to wait — hummingbirds are present all or nearly all year, so a feeder is useful in any month. Year-round west of the Cascades; March 15 on the east side.
When should I take down hummingbird feeders in Washington?
Leave up year-round west of the Cascades; mid-October on the east side. 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 Washington year-round?
Largely, yes. Seattle's Anna's Hummingbirds tough out snowstorms at heated or hand-thawed feeders — winter feeding is a real commitment here, and a rewarded one.
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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