WhenToBird

Feeder timing · Alaska

When to Put Out (and Take Down) Hummingbird Feeders in Alaska

In Alaska, put hummingbird feeders out around late March and take them down around early September. The first arrivals typically show up in the second week of April and most are gone by mid August.

Put feeders outMar 22-31
First arrivalsApr 8-14
Last seenAug 15-21
Take feeders downSep 1-7

Rule used: feeders go out two weeks before the typical first-arrival week and come down two weeks after the last week birds are still reported. First arrival is the first week reports reach 10% of the species' usual in-season rate; last seen is the last such week. A few early or late birds can fall outside.

By species

SpeciesPatternFirst arrivalsPeakMost gone byFeeder upFeeder down
Rufous HummingbirdSummer visitorApr 8-14Jul 8-14Aug 8-14Mar 22-31Sep 1-7
Anna's HummingbirdWinter visitorAug 8-14Oct 22-31Mar 8-14Jul 22-31Mar 22-31

Nectar feeders: four parts water to one part plain white sugar, no dye, changed every few days in warm weather.

Common questions

When should I put out hummingbird feeders in Alaska?
Around late March, about two weeks before the first hummingbirds typically arrive (the second week of April).
When should I take down hummingbird feeders in Alaska?
Around early September, about two weeks after the last regular reports (mid August).
Where do these dates come from?
They come from the share of complete checklists in Alaska that report each species, week by week, 2016-2025, not from anecdotal first sightings.