AUSTIN, Texas — The hummingbirds are here!
Each year, hummingbirds migrate through Texas from March through late May. Data from Hummingbird Central shows the tiny birds mostly linger around Central Texas, near Austin and San Antonio, and Houston. They like to hang out down here and soak up the warm weather before they head back up north.
As the little visitors arrive, now’s the perfect time to get a feeder ready so you can enjoy their short-lived Texas residency.
How to attract hummingbirds to a garden or feeder
To satisfy their super-fast metabolisms, hummingbirds eat a lot. According to the National Audubon Society, they feed every 10 to 15 minutes and visit 1,000 to 2,000 flowers per day!
Planting native plants that provide nectar can attract hummingbirds. The Audubon Society says plants like beebalms; Gregg sage, which is native to Texas; and trumpet honeysuckle provide much more nectar than hybrids and exotics. The society recommends planting nectar-rich native plants, as well as native red and orange tubular flowers to get the hummingbirds to stop by. It’s also recommended you avoid pesticide use in your garden.
If you’re filling a feeder, you should replace the food regularly, keep the feeder clean and only put water or hummingbird food inside.
As for where to hang your feeders, the Humane World for Animals says hummingbirds are most likely to eat where they feel safe from predators like stray cats. You should place your feeders 12 feet from a brush pile, evergreen tree or bush to keep them well within the reach of the birds but out of the reach of predators.
It’s also recommended to hang feeders far enough apart that the hummingbirds can’t see each other, to prevent one bird from dominating the rest, and in the shade, to prevent nectar from fermenting.
How to make hummingbird nectar
While you can find pre-made nectar at most outdoor and grocery stores, making your own at home is super easy. All you need is one-quarter cup of refined white sugar and 1 cup of boiling water. The Audubon Society says you should avoid using honey, as it can promote dangerous fungal growth, and you should also avoid corn syrup, powdered sugar and raw sugar.
To make the nectar, all you have to do is mix the sugar and boiling water until the sugar is fully dissolved. Then let the nectar cool and fill your feeder.
The Audubon Society notes that while hummingbirds like the color red, you shouldn’t put red dye in your nectar. However, you can use a red-colored feeder to attract the birds while making sure their food stays safe.
Track the hummingbirds’ migration
If you want to see where the hummingbirds are now, Hummingbird Central has a handy Spring Migration 2025 map: