Hummingbird Migration in Louisiana: 2026 Timing

Adult males start south around September 15; the main departure wave passes about October 5, and the last stragglers — usually juveniles — trickle through until November 15. Some western species winter here, so a late hummingbird isn't necessarily lost.

Don't take them down — Louisiana hosts hummingbirds in winter. Keep at least one feeder clean and full year-round, and you may host a rare western species in December.

First males typically show up around March 1, with most feeders active by March 20. Put feeders out a week or two before the first typical arrival — early birds arrive hungry.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (breeding + staging); Rufous, Black-chinned & others (regular winter residents).

One part plain white sugar to four parts water. No red dye (unnecessary and possibly harmful), no honey (ferments into toxins), no sugar substitutes. Change nectar every 2–3 days in warm weather, every 4–5 in cool weather, and rinse the feeder with hot water each refill.

Almost always nesting, not leaving. Females go quiet while incubating and switch to insects for protein; males guard flower territories away from feeders. Traffic typically roars back in late summer when fledged juveniles and early migrants arrive together.