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There’s nothing like spotting a hummingbird in your backyard, watching it enthusiastically flit from flower to flower and hearing its “humming” wings. It’s even better when there’s a whole gaggle of hummingbirds in your yard (the official collective noun for hummingbirds is a "charm"!).
But then, suddenly, come midsummer, it seems as if all your hummingbird friends have disappeared from your backyard. Where have they gone? Will they return? And how can you keep them coming back to your outdoor spaces?
Why Do Hummingbirds Suddenly Disappear in Midsummer?
Maria Kincaid, Ornithology Research Specialist for FeatherSnap, says that there are a few reasons why hummingbirds seem to disappear in the middle of summer, and it depends on where you’re located in the United States.
1. Their Favorite Flowers Are in Bloom
First of all, since it’s the peak of summer, Kincaid points out that all the flowers are in full bloom, which means that hummingbirds don’t need to visit feeders quite so frequently.
2. It’s Nesting Season
Kincaid explains that June and July are the height of nesting season for hummingbirds, so they’re busy incubating nests and raising young.
“While they are incubating eggs, Ruby-throated Hummingbird females are on the nest about 70% of the day, leaving for short recesses to feed frequently,” she says. “Young birds also require large amounts of protein, so parents of nestlings are switching to foraging for small insects rather than nectar from flowers.”
3. Some Are Starting to Migrate
“Depending on where you are within the range of different hummingbird species, males, who do not participate in incubating eggs or helping to raise young, may start their migration as early as late June into July,” Kincaid says. “They’ll molt their feathers just before migration to have the best-condition body feathers they can for their journey, which also means they’re more likely to be sticking to sheltered areas close to food sources so that they can rest while they’re spending the energy to grow new feathers.”
For instance, ruby-throated Hummingbirds in the eastern U.S. and Canada winter in Mexico and Central America, leaving their breeding grounds as early as late July and peaking in August and September.
Do Hummingbirds Really Disappear?
Although it seems as if you haven’t spotted a hummingbird in days and you believe they’ve left your area completely, many are still around in the middle of summer, as long as they haven’t started the migration process.
As Kincaid explains, the hummingbirds are sticking closer to nests with eggs and young and foraging for more insects rather than nectar.
“They’re also less active, as they’re spending time and energy on breeding and molting,” she says. “So it’s likely that they’re still in the area—you’re just not noticing them as much.”
How to Continue Attracting Hummingbirds
“The majority of hummingbirds in North America are only here for a short time, so of course we want to maximize the amount of time we get to enjoy their presence,” Kincaid advises.
First of all, to keep on inviting hummingbirds to your yard, you should create an idyllic habitat for them. That means planting plenty of hummingbird-attracting native flowers, such as salvia, honeysuckle, trumpet creeper, cardinal flower and bee balm.
“Also, limit or eliminate the use of pesticides if possible, as insects are an important food source for all sorts of birds,” Kincaid adds.
Even when hummingbirds seem to disappear, don’t take down your hummingbird feeders if you have them, as they’re still a good supplementary food source and helpful to adult females with fledgling hummingbirds, as well as other visitors like orioles and woodpeckers. “The more food sources you have, the more hummingbirds you can support,” she notes.
Maintaining good hummingbird feeder hygiene is essential. “Make sure that you’re cleaning your feeders and changing your nectar regularly, as hummingbird food can spoil quickly in warm temperatures, and moldy or fermented nectar can be harmful to the birds,” cautions Kincaid.
Additionally, hummingbirds need areas where they can care for their feathers, especially when they get so sticky from the nectar. That’s why it's recommended to add a “very shallow bird bath with a fountain” or a mister to your yard to give hummingbirds a place “to take a quick shower and then perch to preen and clean their feathers.”
Lastly, give them places to relax. That means including “plenty of cover and perching areas", and, depending on the species, a selection of plants they can safely nest in.
Sources:
- Maria Kincaid, Ornithology Research Specialist for FeatherSnap
Related: 7 Easiest Native Plants to Grow to Attract Birds, Bees and Butterflies
