Oregon · Pacific
When to put out hummingbird feeders in Oregon
Hummingbirds are part of Oregon in every season — here's how to time and manage feeders through the year.
Put feeders out by
Year-round on the west side; March 1 east of the Cascades
First arrivals
Anna's are present all year west of the Cascades; Rufous return in late February (coast) to March
Peak season
March through August
Take down after
Leave up year-round west of the Cascades; mid-October on the east side
Keep at least one feeder available in every month.
The Oregon season
Anna's Hummingbirds colonized western Oregon within living memory and now hum through Portland gardens in January — a feeder (kept thawed) is genuinely useful in a cold snap. The first week of March brings the Rufous vanguard up the coast, one of the earliest spring migrations in North America.
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.
Hummingbird species in Oregon
| Species | Status in Oregon |
|---|---|
| Anna's Hummingbird | Year-round resident |
| Rufous Hummingbird | Spring–summer breeder |
| Calliope Hummingbird | Spring–summer breeder |
| Black-chinned Hummingbird | Spring–summer breeder |
| Allen'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 Oregon?
In Oregon there is no need to wait — hummingbirds are present all or nearly all year, so a feeder is useful in any month. Year-round on the west side; March 1 east of the Cascades.
When should I take down hummingbird feeders in Oregon?
Leave up year-round west of the Cascades; mid-October on the east side. 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 Oregon year-round?
Largely, yes. Anna's Hummingbirds colonized western Oregon within living memory and now hum through Portland gardens in January — a feeder (kept thawed) is genuinely useful in a cold snap.
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
FeederDates › Hummingbirds › Oregon feeder dates · All Oregon feeder dates