Tennessee · Southeast
When to put out hummingbird feeders in Tennessee
Put feeders out by March 15. First arrivals typically show up late March to early April, and an early feeder greets the hungry vanguard.
Put feeders out by
March 15
First arrivals
late March to early April
Peak season
April through September
Take down after
early November
Feeders up from March 15 until early november.
The Tennessee season
Memphis and the Mississippi lowlands see birds in late March; the Smokies' higher coves wait until mid-April. Tennessee sits under the main interior flyway, so September is generous — banding stations near Nashville routinely process hundreds of southbound Ruby-throateds.
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 early november — southbound stragglers, often the year's young, are the birds that need it most.
Hummingbird species in Tennessee
| Species | Status in Tennessee |
|---|---|
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Spring–summer breeder |
| Rufous 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 Tennessee?
Have feeders out by March 15 — about two weeks before the first birds typically arrive (late March to early April). 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 Tennessee?
early November. 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 Tennessee year-round?
No — Tennessee'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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