Mississippi · Southeast
When to put out hummingbird feeders in Mississippi
Put feeders out by February 15. First arrivals typically show up late February to mid-March, and an early feeder greets the hungry vanguard.
Put feeders out by
February 15
First arrivals
late February to mid-March
Peak season
April through September
Take down after
late November — or keep a coastal feeder up all winter
Feeders up from February 15 until late november — or keep a coastal feeder up all winter.
The Mississippi season
Gulf-crossing Ruby-throateds make first landfall on the Mississippi coast in late February. Like neighboring Louisiana, the coastal counties have become reliable winter-hummingbird territory — Rufous is annual, and the state's banders encourage leaving feeders up past Thanksgiving.
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 november — or keep a coastal feeder up all winter — southbound stragglers, often the year's young, are the birds that need it most.
Hummingbird species in Mississippi
| Species | Status in Mississippi |
|---|---|
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Spring–summer breeder |
| Rufous Hummingbird | Winter visitor |
| Buff-bellied 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 Mississippi?
Have feeders out by February 15 — about two weeks before the first birds typically arrive (late February to mid-March). 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 Mississippi?
late November — or keep a coastal feeder up all winter. 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 Mississippi year-round?
No — Mississippi's hummingbirds head south for the winter, with the last birds typically gone by late October. 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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