When Do Hummingbirds Leave Virginia?

Hummingbirds are lovely birds, and they are fascinating to watch all year. When it’s warm, these tiny birds often visit different states in the US, such as Oklahoma, New York, and Texas. However, no matter how long they stay in any state, they have an internal clock that tells them when it is time to leave. 

Virginia is a great place for hummingbirds. It’s in the southeastern part of the country. But as the weather changes, these birds begin their migration out of the state. When exactly does this happen? Let’s find out!

When Do Hummingbirds Leave Virginia?

As summer gradually changes to winter, the most common hummingbirds in Virginia leave the state. This typically happens in September. By the end of October, the last of the migrating species will have left Virginia.

The departure of these birds is considered to follow a gradual pattern. Typically, adult males are the first to leave, while females join them after they have finished training their offspring. 

Related post to read about Best Hummingbird Feeders.

What Species Of Hummingbirds Are Commonly Seen In Virginia?

Although Virginia does not have a local hummingbird species, there are seasonal species that are commonly sighted in the state. 

Just like in many other states in the US, the most common species found in Virginia is the Ruby-throated hummingbird. This species can be easily identified as it lives up to its name by having a ruby-red throat. 

The Rufous hummingbird is another species that is often found in Virginia. This species of hummingbird is known for its aggressive nature when feeding. 

Other random species to the state are the Allen’s, Anna’s, Black-chinned, Calliope, and Rivoli’s hummingbirds. These birds have only been seen a few times in Virginia.

Where Can You Find Hummingbirds In Virginia?

Some of the most popular locations to find hummers in Virginia are Eastern Virginia, around Norfolk, Virginia Beach, as well as near the capital Richmond. 

They are also commonly found in southwestern parts of the state, near Roanoke and Lynchburg.

Even if you can’t visit these locations, don’t worry: you can attract them to your yard in easy steps.

When Do Hummingbirds Arrive In Virginia?

Hummingbirds begin to arrive in Virginia in April. By May, many more hummingbirds arrive in the state. 

However, as independent migrators, their arrival time varies depending on weather conditions. 

Do Hummingbirds Arrive In Virginia At The Same Time?

Being independent migrators, hummingbirds arrive in Virginia at different times. 

Basically, their arrival time varies depending on the weather conditions as well as the migration route taken by different species. 

Do Hummingbirds Spend All Year In Virginia?

Since Virginia does not have a local hummingbird species, it is not likely that migrating species will spend the entire year in the state. The seasonal species visit the state during warm weather, usually from mid-April – October. 

And when the weather gets too cold, they make their way out of the state to warmer climates where they can get an abundance of their food source. 

How Can You Prepare For The Arrival Of Hummingbirds in Virginia?

As a hummingbird lover in Virginia, preparing for the arrival of hummingbirds is important in creating a welcoming environment for them after their long journeys into the state.

Ultimately, preparation for their arrival can be influenced by the size of your outdoor space. For instance, if you have a backyard, you can create a hummingbird-friendly garden where you grow native plants that provide their primary food source – nectar from flowers.

You can also buy hummingbird feeders in preparation for their arrival. Hummers are naturally attracted to vibrant colours, so buy colourful feeders in vibrant shades of red, pink or orange. 

Another great way to prepare is to offer these birds shallow water sources like gently-flowing misters, as they not only drink them but also bathe with them.

The creation of habitats that provide shelter and nesting sites for these birds, in the form of trees, tall plants, and shrubs, is an excellent way to prepare for the arrival of these special birds.

What Kinds Of Plants Should Be Grown To Attract Hummingbirds In Virginia?

Some of the best native plants that should be grown to attract hummingbirds in Virginia include cross vine, trumpet vine, cardinal flower, butterfly weed, Canadian columbine, swamp milkweed, cardinal flower, wild lupine, trumpet honeysuckle, trumpet vine, etc.

Can Feeders Attract Hummingbirds In Virginia?

Yes, you can attract hummers to your environment by hanging nectar feeders. But don’t colour the content of your solution with dyes, honey or additives, as this can harm the birds.

How To Prepare Nectar For Hummingbird Feeders

Although this nectar is an artificial solution, it is a great way to supplement the hummingbird diet. In fact, even if you already have a garden, it’s still advisable to prepare this nectar for these birds, as they like having a variety of food sources. 

All you need in the preparation process of this nectar is refined white sugar and water. Take the following easy steps to make this nectar solution:

• Mix one part of sugar with four parts of water,
• Mix until sugar is dissolved in water.

And there you have it! Easy-peasy, right?

Just in case you don’t want to go through the stress of making the nectar by yourself, you can easily buy pre-made nectar from stores.

Note that you have to change the nectar solution every few days, especially in warm weather, as sugar can ferment quickly and become a breeding ground for bacteria.

When Should You Put Out Your Hummingbird Feeders In Virginia?

A best practice is to put out your hummingbird feeders at least a week before these special bird visitors arrive in town. In Virginia, mid-April is a good time to do so.

When Should Hummingbird Feeders Be Taken Down In Virginia?

It is safe to take down your feeders at least 2 weeks after you last sight hummers at your feeders. And since most migrating hummingbirds will have left Virginia by the end of October, you can take down your feeders by early November. 

Keep in mind that you can choose to leave out your feeders to help old and injured species that can’t migrate.

Where Do Hummingbirds From Virginia Migrate To In The Winter?

Hummingbirds that breed in Virginia generally migrate south to warmer climates for the winter. Here are some details on where they go:

• Ruby-throated Hummingbirds – The most common hummingbird in Virginia. They migrate to Central America or Mexico for the winter. Many spend the winter in southern Mexico or Central America.
• Rufous Hummingbirds – These western hummingbirds are commonly seen in Virginia. The bulk of the population winters along the Gulf Coast from Louisiana to Florida. Some also winter in Mexico.
• Calliope Hummingbird – A rare vagrant in Virginia. This smallest breeding hummingbird in the US summers primarily in the northwestern US and western Canada. They migrate south to winter in Mexico.
• Allen’s Hummingbird – occasional visitors to Virginia. This western species winters along the Pacific Coast from southern California to Mexico.
• Other vagrant species like Broad-tailed, Anna’s, and Costa’s Hummingbirds may show up rarely in Virginia but would follow their typical migration routes south or west for the winter.

Basically, Central America and coastal Mexico are the primary wintering grounds for hummingbirds migrating from Virginia, especially for Ruby-throats. The warmer climates there provide the nectar and insect food resources the hummingbirds need.

Conclusion

Undoubtedly, hummingbird season brings joy to the hearts of bird lovers who have waited a long time for their visit. Providing food and shelter when these birds come to visit Virginia is a kind act, as they need to refuel and rest after their long journeys. By so doing, you not only make your space their home but also ensure their return during their next visit.

And that’s it on this article; I hope you found it helpful. If yes, please leave your feedback in the comment section below.

Until next time, thanks for reading. 

Useful Links:

Related Posts to Read – Hummingbirds Migrations:

• Best Hummingbird Feeders.
• When Do Hummingbirds Leave Ohio?
• When Do Hummingbirds Leave Michigan?
• When Do Hummingbirds Leave Pennsylvania?
• When Do Hummingbirds Leave Florida?
• When Do Hummingbirds Leave Oregon?
• When Do Hummingbirds Leave New York?
• When Do Hummingbirds Leave Oklahoma?
• When Do Hummingbirds Leave Minnesota?
• When Do Hummingbirds Leave South Carolina?
• When Do Hummingbirds Leave Louisiana?

Related Posts to Read:

• Do Hummingbirds Beaks Open When Feeding?
• The Mysteries of Hummingbird Flight.
• 6 Fascinating Facts About Hummingbird Sizes.
• Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Migration Map.
• Where Do Hummingbirds Go When It Rains?

References:

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• Rico-Guevara A, Rubega MA, Hurme KJ, Dudley R. Shifting Paradigms in the Mechanics of Nectar Extraction and Hummingbird Bill Morphology. Integr Org Biol. 2019 Jan 2;1(1):oby006. doi: 10.1093/iob/oby006. PMID: 33791513; PMCID: PMC7671138.
• Tyrrell LP, Goller B, Moore BA, Altshuler DL, Fernández-Juricic E. The Orientation of Visual Space from the Perspective of Hummingbirds. Front Neurosci. 2018 Jan 30;12:16. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00016. PMID: 29440985; PMCID: PMC5797624.
• Hummingbirds Sighting (Journey North Map).
• About Hummingbird’s Characteristics.