How to Feed Hummingbirds After Labor Day

We had lots of questions on feeding hummingbirds this week: ..

Am I supposed to take down my feeder on Labor Day?

Image via WikipediaI would leave hummingbird feeders up until at least the end of September. In mid-Michigan, you can leave your feeder up until mid-October weather permitting.

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The rule of thumb is if you haven't seen a hummingbird for two weeks in the fall it's safe to take your feeder down. Depending on where you live it is usually at the end of September to the middle of October. The hummingbirds aren't in as big a rush to go down south as they were to find nesting grounds in the spring but they will leave us whether there is a feeder up or not.
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Do I make the nectar recipe stronger to give them more energy?

It's not necessary to make your sugar solution stronger. The 4:1 ratio is the closest to the favorite flowers that hummingbirds visit. That would be four parts water to one part plain white sugar.

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Image by VonShawn via FlickrDo I make the sugar solution weaker to encourage them to leave?

I would continue to feed the hummingbirds the same nectar solution until they are fat enough to move further south. Don't rush them. Let them leave when they have enough energy and the weather is favorable.

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Where do they spend the winters?

Most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds winter in southern Mexico, Central America, South America, and the West Indies. A few remain along the Gulf coast and on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

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Category › Bird Basics