Hummingbirds set for seasonal return to Alabama in March

The weather is getting warmer (temporarily at least) which means you will soon start seeing hummingbirds return to Alabama again.

According to Alabama Audobon, the migration typically starts in early March for the coastal areas and will often show up across the state by the beginning of April.

Keep reading to learn more about hummingbird season + how you can be prepared.

Hummingbird migration

The rapidly moving birds spend the winter months in central and South America but as warmer weather arrives, they start showing up in the South.

Hummingbird Central, a website dedicated to tracking sightings of the birds throughout each season, has already registered some hummingbirds in Florida and Louisiana.

The bird that will be most commonly spotted in the region is the red-throated hummingbird.

You could also find the Rufous Hummingbird.

The birds will often stay for half the year before migrating further south starting in October.

Feeding hummingbirds

If you’re hoping to turn your garden into a hummingbird utopia, you’ll need the right conditions.

You’ll want plants that:

• Are long and tubular
• Hang down or point downward
• Have red or orange petals

The plants that most commonly attract hummingbirds include:

• Bee balm
• Cardinal flower
• Trumpet creeper
• Coral honeysuckle
• Columbine

If you plan on using a hummingbird feeder, you’ll need to make a safe, edible nectar.

You’ll need a syrup that is 20% sucrose, or roughly one cup of granulated white sugar dissolved in four cups of water.

DO NOT:

• Add red food coloring
• Substitute honey for sugar
• Place a feeder next to a window

Feeders need to be cleaned and refilled at least twice a week.

“It’s important to frequently clean hummingbird feeders to prevent the spreading of diseases—like avian flu.”

Scot Duncan, Executive Director of Alabama Audubon

Hummingbirds are also territorial and will chase others away from a feeder. If you have more than one, space each feeder about 15 to 20 feet apart.

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