Alaska · Pacific
When to put out hummingbird feeders in Alaska
Put feeders out by April 10. First arrivals typically show up mid-April in Southeast Alaska, early May farther north, and an early feeder greets the hungry vanguard.
Put feeders out by
April 10
First arrivals
mid-April in Southeast Alaska, early May farther north
Peak season
May through July
Take down after
late September
Feeders up from April 10 until late september.
The Alaska season
The Rufous Hummingbird is the long-distance champion of the family, and Alaska is the top of its run — some individuals travel nearly 4,000 miles from a Mexican winter range. Juneau, Ketchikan, and the rest of the Southeast panhandle see the first males in mid-April. Anna's Hummingbirds now appear at Southcentral feeders most winters, a startling recent range expansion.
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 late september — southbound stragglers, often the year's young, are the birds that need it most.
Hummingbird species in Alaska
| Species | Status in Alaska |
|---|---|
| Rufous Hummingbird | Spring–summer breeder |
| Anna's 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 Alaska?
Have feeders out by April 10 — about two weeks before the first birds typically arrive (mid-April in Southeast Alaska, early May farther north). 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 Alaska?
late September. 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 Alaska year-round?
No — Alaska's hummingbirds head south for the winter, with the last birds typically gone by most depart by late August; stragglers into 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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