Hummingbirds Flying South Through Georgia (Fall)
What’s Happening
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are the primary species moving through Georgia in late summer and fall. Adult males are first to leave—most by late August—followed by females and juveniles; by October, the vast majority have moved on toward Mexico and Central America.
Georgia also enjoys a “second hummingbird season” as western species (especially Rufous) show up between roughly November–February. Leaving at least one feeder up all winter greatly improves your chances of hosting these visitors.
Late July–mid-August: First southbound adult males appear; feeder traffic builds.
Late August–mid-September: Peak movement; birds tank up before long flights.
Late September–early October: Numbers taper; stragglers pass through.
Mid-November–February: “Second season”—sporadic western winter hummingbirds (most often Rufous). Keep one feeder up.
Tropical systems & strong fronts in Aug–Oct can blow migrants off course or halt feeding.
Habitat gaps where flowers are scarce late in the season.
Pesticides that reduce insects (protein) and contaminate nectar sources.
Window collisions & nighttime lighting around homes and buildings.
Feeder competition from bees/wasps and dominant birds.
Keep at least one feeder up year-round; you won’t delay migration (it’s day-length driven). Use 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water; no dyes; clean weekly.
Plant late-season native flowers with tubular blooms (e.g., salvias, cardinal flower, trumpet honeysuckle, jewelweed).
Make windows safer (exterior dots/film ~2 inches apart) and dim outdoor lighting during peak migration.
Avoid pesticides; offer a shallow water feature with moving water.
Space multiple feeders apart to reduce aggression; use feeders with bee/wasp guards.
Hummingbirds Flying South Through Oklahoma (Fall)
What’s Happening
In Oklahoma, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are common migrants statewide (especially east), Black-chinned are regular in parts of the west/central, and Rufous pass through in smaller numbers. In fall, adult males usually depart first and may be gone by September; females and young mostly clear out by mid-October (with a few stragglers). The state wildlife agency recommends leaving feeders out until about Nov 1 (or three weeks after your last sighting).
Late July–August: Early southbound birds; some Rufous appear.
Late August–mid-September: Peak passage; adult males thin out first.
Late September–mid-October: Mostly females/juveniles; numbers taper.
Late October–early November: Final stragglers; keep feeders available through ~Nov 1.
Late-summer heat and drought reducing nectar availability.
Windy fronts & storms during peak migration.
Habitat loss/fragmentation limiting stopover flowers.
Window collisions & bright night lighting near towns.
Feeder crowding/competition in dry years.
Feeders: Keep them up into late fall; 1:4 sugar:water, no dye; clean and refill weekly. Space several small feeders apart to reduce aggression; consider models with bee/wasp guards.
Plant drought-tough natives that bloom August–October (tubular salvias, agastaches, trumpet vine, cardinal flower along creeks).
Make windows safer with exterior patterns/tape; reduce outdoor lighting during migration.
Skip pesticides; provide clean water (misters/drippers are great).
Where Different Hummingbird Species Spend the Winter & How to Help
Ruby-throated Hummingbird – Winters mainly from southern Mexico through Central America to Panama; some individuals linger along the Gulf Coast and southern Atlantic coast/Florida. Help: Keep clean feeders available in Gulf/SE coastal areas; offer sheltered flowering shrubs and safe windows/lights.
Black-chinned Hummingbird – Mostly winters in western Mexico; more birds than once thought pass through the Southeast and some winter along the Gulf Coast. Help: Winter feeders and late-blooming natives in TX/LA Gulf region; window-safe homes.
Rufous Hummingbird – Winters chiefly in Mexico (western highlands), with increasing numbers wintering on the Gulf Coast; shows up in the Southeast in winter more than any other western hummer. Help: Maintain at least one feeder Nov–Feb in GA/AL/FL Panhandle and Gulf Coast gardens; protect from cold snaps (swap feeders before dawn if nectar could freeze).
Anna’s Hummingbird – Largely resident year-round along the Pacific Coast (some overwinter as far north as British Columbia). Help: Reliable winter feeders and winter-blooming shrubs in West-Coast yards; make windows bird-safe.
Calliope Hummingbird – Winters in pine-oak forests of Mexico. Help: Winter gardens in Mexico/SW with flowering shrubs; in the U.S., provide clean feeders for rare winterers.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird – Winters throughout highlands of Mexico. Help: Preserve/plant nectar plants in Mexican highlands and SW U.S. stopovers; avoid pesticides.
Buff-bellied Hummingbird – Resident in NE Mexico and South Texas; some move north to winter along the central Gulf Coast (especially Louisiana). Help: Keep winter feeders in South TX/LA; native evergreens and wind-breaks for shelter.
Allen’s Hummingbird – West-coast breeder; the migratory population winters mostly in central Mexico (some coastal CA populations are resident). Help: West-coast winter gardens with nectar plants; maintain clean feeders.
Quick Feeder Recipe & Care (applies everywhere)
Mix 1 cup white sugar + 4 cups water, no dyes. Clean and refill at least weekly (every 2–3 days in hot weather). Place feeders near cover but out of strong sun; keep several small feeders spaced apart to reduce territorial fights.
