Hummingbirds

Two species of hummingbirds regularly occur in Georgia, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird and the Rufous Hummingbird. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds breed throughout Georgia in gardens and woodland edges, and frequently come to feed at  "nectar" feeders. They winter in Central America south to Costa Rica.   Rufous Hummingbirds are much less common in Georgia and only occasionally occur here during the winter. These birds breed in northwestern United States, western Canada, and southern Alaska, and winter in southern California, Mexico, and the Gulf Coast of the United States.

Other hummingbirds are accidental in Georgia. "Accidental" means that these species are rarely seen, maybe once or a few times in an area very far from their normal range. The following hummingbirds have been spotted in Georgia:

Allen's Hummingbird (less than 12 total)
Anna's Hummingbird (3 total)
Black-chinned Hummingbird (less than 5 times each winter)
Broad-billed Hummingbird (1 total)
Broad-tailed Hummingbird (very rare in the winter
Calliope Hummingbird (1-2 each winter)
Green-breasted Mango (1 total)
Green Violet-ear (1 total)
Magnificent Hummingbird (2 total)

Accidental hummingbirds usually are spotted in Georgia during the winter and may have gotten off course during migration. These unusual species often come to hummingbird feeders. When accidental hummingbirds are reported, a hummingbird study group may travel to the bird's location to confirm and even band the bird. Banding birds helps researchers track birds' movements and to delineate birds' ranges (hummingbird wintering ranges in the United States are poorly known).

Attracting Hummingbirds

The easiest way to attract hummingbirds is to install a garden that features nectar-producing flowers.

Many people put out hummingbird feeders.

If you do, please use the correct sugar water formula (1 part sugar to 4 parts boiling water) and be sure to wash your feeders (in hot soapy water) often.  Sugar water "spoils" in hot weather and because hummingbirds have such a high metabolism - spoiled nectar can be fatal.

Use sugar only.

Do NOT use HONEY!  Honey-water solutions can be fatal to hummingbirds.  Do NOT use brown sugar, artificial or low calorie sugar substitutes.

Hummingbirds also eat insects.

Please don't use pesticides (and herbicides) in your garden if you feed wild birds.