Hummingbirds Return to US Gardens as Early as February – Here are 5 Ways to Make Sure They Stop in Your Yard

Before the daffodils cloud the hillside, before the robin’s cheery song or the frog’s croaking, there is the iridescent shimmer of the hummingbird’s return to enjoy – and the time is upon us! Darting here, dropping there, hovering midair, these charming creatures are the flying jewels of the bird kingdom. And the great news is you may be able to catch a glimpse of these returning beauties in your own backyard!

Amazingly, these migrators are already starting to appear in some southern and coastal states. So you’d better be ready if you want to attract hummingbirds in February. To successfully host these miniature miracles, you need to understand their high-stakes survival game. That said, it’s easy to add some hummer-friendly treats to turn your backyard into a vital sanctuary for returning hummingbirds this February. Here are our favorite ways to say: welcome back, hummers!

Why February is Key for Hummers

While parts of the country are likely tucked under a blanket of frost, February marks the beginning of the spring migration for species like the ruby-throated in the south and the rufous along the Pacific coast. In the west, Anna’s hummingbirds may even be starting to nest. These early arrivals face a nectar gap, though – by which, I mean a period where hummers have returned to their breeding grounds and need fuel, but key flowers haven't yet opened.

By providing resources now, you are providing a literal lifeline for migrating hummers on their return leg. During winter nights, hummers entered torpor, a deep sleep where heart rates dropped from 1,200 beats per minute to fewer than 50 to conserve energy. Now they are waking, they are running on empty and need immediate, reliable fuel. These 5 measures will give you an easy action plant to help hummingbirds in February, so you can ensure your backyard is their first stop.

1. Plant the Right Flowers

Hummingbirds are the tiniest birds in the world, with some species weighing less than a penny. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t fast and agile. Their wingbeats are astonishingly rapid (up to 100 or even 200 beats per second), which allows them to hover, fly backwards, and even fly upside down.

All this activity requires massive amounts of fuel – and that fuel is primarily nectar. To bridge the February gap, prioritize early-season nectar sources. If you are in a milder climate, plant manzanita or flowering currant, which offer bell-shaped blooms right when they are needed. For a quick fix you can plant now to help a hummingbird feed in February, look for pansies or violas in shades of red and purple. They provide a splash of color that acts as a visual lure – so your hummer spies vital food sources.

Hummingbirds prefer blossoms that are bright red or orange. So for long-term success, ensure you have Eastern columbine or trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) ready to go. You can buy Trumpet Honeysuckle Live Plants from Amazon. These native plants have evolved alongside hummingbirds, offering the perfect straw shape for their specialized tongues to draw up nectar through capillary action.

Early blooming plants for hummingbirds (including Virginia bluebells) help early visitors to find a good supply of nectar. But also include summer blooming flowers in your garden, like bee balm and hummingbird sage. You can buy Seed Needs Bee Balm ‘Panorama Blend’ Seeds from Amazon for a vibrant hummer-tastic medley.

2. Offer Supplementary Nectar

It’s a lovely idea to add other nectar sources – as well as helping your hummers, they are an enjoyable way to watch them in action. Most feeders have red accents to attract hummingbirds, as it is no longer considered safe to add red dye to the sugar-water. We love the Nature’s Way Hummingbird Feeders, available at Amazon, with its pretty handblown patterns. If bees or ants are an issue in your area, look for feeders with built-in ant moats.

Hang feeders near perching areas, like small, bare twigs where a hummer can sit and survey its kingdom. To prevent the nectar from fermenting or freezing during February’s volatile temperature swings, choose a spot with partial shade that is also protected from harsh winds.

You don’t need to invest in store-bought feeds and mixes. Knowing how to make sugar water for hummingbirds is a genuine game-changer. All you need for the very best mixture is plain white sugar and water. Combine 1 part white granulated sugar to 4 parts water. Bring to the boil to kill any bacteria, then let it cool and add to your feeder. In February, if you live in a region prone to light frosts, you can increase the sugar ratio to 1:3 to provide extra calories and lower the freezing point of the water.

3. Hang Multiple Hummingbird Feeders

If you’re serious about creating a tip-top hummer garden early doors, don’t just leave out the one feeder. These jewel-toned birds are not as sweet and harmonious as you might think. Hummers can be fiercely territorial and behave aggressively. A single "bully" male may guard a feeder, chasing away exhausted females or smaller males.

To manage this, don't just hang one feeder. Hang at least three, and crucially, place them out of the line of sight of one another. If the bully can’t see the second feeder from his perch on the first, he can’t guard both.

My favorite hummingbird feeder is one that attaches to the window with suction cups. It’s so special to watch hummingbirds and delight in their iridescent hues while I am working in the office or lying in bed. Try Aspects Jewel Box Window Hummingbird Feeders from Amazon. These quality suction-cup feeders include a built-in ant moat and a perch, so birds can rest while they eat, giving you the perfect photo op.

4. Provide Protein as well as Nectar

Sugar is the fuel that keeps them moving, but protein is the building block for hummer muscle and eggs. Hummingbirds are prolific hunters of small insects. When hummers are nesting, they can fish for small bugs trapped in spider webs. So be sure to leave the spider webs in your yard.

In February, insects can be scarce. You can help by leaving those spider webs alone. Many species (like the ruby-throated hummingbird) use spider silk as a primary building material for their nests. It is strong, sticky, and (most importantly) stretchy, allowing the nest to expand as the chicks grow.

A very large spider web may occasionally pose a tangle risk. However, the benefits of providing hunting grounds and nesting material for your visiting hummers will far outweigh the potential danger of a tangle. And this is an easy one to monitor.

5. Supply Water for Bathing

Knowing how to make hummingbird water play is another extraordinary enticement for passing travelers. Hummingbirds get most of their hydration from nectar, both from key flowering plants and feeders. However, they are fastidious bathers. Sticky pollen and dried nectar can gum up their feathers. A shallow bath like the Dreamsoul Adjustable Dish from Amazon lets the birds stay clean. This bath can also cool a bird off in hot weather later in the year.

Make sure it is shallow, though. Standard bird baths are often too deep and dangerous for a bird that weighs 3 grams. You can also use a mister or a shallow weeping fountain. Hummingbirds love to fly through a fine mist or rub their bellies against a wet leaf. Just ensure your water source isn't frozen. A small, low-voltage heater or a solar-powered bubbler can keep the water moving and accessible.

Other Ways to Help Your Hummers

Beyond feeding, planting and adding water stations, there are other housekeeping tasks that can make your garden a five-star resort for returning migrators:

• Deep Clean Gear: If your feeders have been in the shed all winter, soak them in a 1:6 solution of bleach and white vinegar, then rinse thoroughly. Mold (black spots) can be fatal to hummingbirds, causing tongue swelling that prevents eating.
• Add Red Visuals: Before your flowers bloom, add striking visuals by other means. Tie lengths of red surveyor's tape or red ribbons to your bushes. This signals to a high-flying hummingbird that your yard is worth a closer look. You can buy a Red Carpet Studios Double Helix Wind Spinner from Amazon. Don’t use red dye though.
• Entice Birds to Nest: Supply cosy bedding like Sukh Pack Bird Nesting Material from Amazon and leave it somewhere close by your feeders of choice, to encourage them to stay and raise a family.
• Keep a Pesticide-Free Zone: Avoid all pesticides, especially neonicotinoids. These chemicals don't just kill the "bad" bugs – they contaminate the nectar and kill the tiny spiders and gnats hummingbirds rely on for protein. A “messy” organic yard is a safer and more alluring garden for a hummer.

Hummingbird Essentials

Is your garden hummer-ready? Check you have all the bases covered. These key picks will transform your yard into a hummingbird sanctuary:

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