When do you hang your hummingbird feeder in Delaware?

Would you like to feel like Disney’s Pocahontas and attract a majestic hummingbird or two to your Delaware home this spring?

Here’s what you need to know about when hummingbirds will migrate to Delaware this year, how to prep your feeder, and how to (hopefully) keep the birds from having sword fights with each other in your backyard.

When will the hummingbirds arrive in Delaware in 2025?  

Around mid-April is when Delawareans can expect to see the arrival of hummingbirds, said Michael Moore, spokesperson and past president of Delaware Ornithological Society. The ruby-throated hummingbird, known for having a red neck, is the most common hummingbird to the Small Wonder.  

When should I set out my hummingbird feeder?

You can set your feeders out around mid-April, which is when hummingbirds are expected to land in Delaware. It’s also a good idea to clean and refresh your feeders with nectar.  

What should I put in my hummingbird feeder?

The only nectar you need in your feeder is a mixture of white sugar and water. Moore said the best thing to do is stir up one-fourth cup of sugar with one cup of water.  

Where should I put my hummingbird feeder?

You can hang bird feeders just about anywhere, including on a porch with shade or on a tree. It’s a good idea to try to keep the feeder out of direct sunlight to prevent birds from getting burnt to a crisp. Moore said it’s wise not to hang feeders by windows so that the birds don’t collide with glass.  

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How can I attract more hummingbirds?

Since hummingbirds love nectar, found in plants, one of the best tips to reel in more hummingbirds is simple: “Plant native plants that attract hummingbirds,” Moore said.

Examples of native plants include Salvias, Bee balms and native Coral honeysuckle. Hummingbirds can’t live off just sugar water alone. They get a lot of protein from eating bugs. That’s why Moore said you shouldn’t spray your yard with insecticides.

“If you want birds in your garden, you need to have insects. Insecticides are not good,” he said.  

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Why does the hummingbird fight so much?

Hummingbirds are tiny and cute little creatures, but they’re also pretty old school because they live by the sword. Their long-pointed beaks are shaped like swords, which they use to defend their territory against other hummingbirds.

Moore said that’s because they evolved from feeding only on plants, which is a limited resource.  

“The problem is they (hummingbirds) sort of haven’t figured out that hummingbird feeders have potentially unlimited amounts of food. But they’re just programmed to not really share.”  

One way you might be able to help reduce hummingbird-on-hummingbird violence is by hanging multiple bird feeders and spacing them apart in different locations because these birds also are territorial over their feeders, Moore suggested.

Then again, Moore said some habits are hard to break.

“Feeders are fairly new things to them, and they don’t realize they’re different from flowers.”

How long will hummingbirds be in Delaware? 

Hummingbirds migrate in the fall, but their departure is more gradual than their spring arrival. Moore said some of the hummingbirds will begin migrating south in September, whereas others will linger around until October or even November.

Is it safe to have bird feeders during bird flu outbreak?

The Delaware Department of Agriculture says you can continue filling your bird feeders – unless you also keep chickens or live near some.

Regardless of the prevalence of bird flu, backyard birders can prevent the spread of all bird illnesses by following a few simple steps, according to various agencies.

• Clean bird feeders once a month with a solution of nine parts water to one part bleach. For wooden bird feeders, use regular soap or a solution of three parts water to one part vinegar.
• Change bird bath water every two or three days.
• Never touch wild birds and always wash your hands after handling bird feeders and baths.

If you see a sick or dead bird, call the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Wildlife Section at 302-739-9912 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. After hours, report sick and dead birds here.

Shannon Marvel McNaught contributed to this report.

If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.