Here’s when hummingbirds leave Connecticut! (to migrate south)

ByScott
41 Comments

Unfortunately, hummingbirds don’t live in Connecticut year-round. 🙁

At the end of every summer, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (the only common species in the state) depart Connecticut to migrate south to southern Mexico and Central America. They spend the winter here in the warm weather before coming back next spring!

So when exactly do hummingbirds leave Connecticut?

when do hummingbirds leave

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds start their southward migration once their breeding season ends. It’s believed that they can sense the changes in the reduced number of daylight hours, flowers, and insects, which triggers their instinct to leave Connecticut.

This means that most hummingbirds leave Connecticut by the end of August or early September. By mid-September, almost all birds are gone, and they won’t return again until spring.

But keep your eyes open for any hummingbirds that started their migration late. It’s not uncommon to see a straggler passing through Connecticut towards the end of September, especially if they started their migration from much higher north!

I’m guessing that the reason you wanted to know when hummingbirds leave Connecticut is that you were curious when you can put away your feeders for the winter?

Here’s what I always recommend:

Don’t take down your feeders until you haven’t seen a hummingbird for TWO weeks.

hummingbirds leaving

Once that happens, you can be very confident that almost all the hummingbirds in Connecticut have left for the year!

Trust me; you definitely don’t want to take away the nectar in your yard too early. Hummingbirds migrate a LONG way and need lots of ENERGY, which you can hopefully provide to them.

When do you normally see the last hummingbirds leave Connecticut?

Let us know in the COMMENTS section below!

When Do Hummingbirds Return to Connecticut? (Get your feeders ready!)

Scott is the creator of Bird Watching HQ. His goal is to inspire you to care more about the birds and wildlife in YOUR backyard. Over the past 5 years, he has been focused on improving the habitat in his own yard by doing things like adding native plants, not using pesticides, etc. He is happy to report that over 50 species of birds have now been seen on his 1.5-acre property (that's in a suburban neighborhood). Learn more about Scott on his About page. And make sure to check out his LIVE bird cameras.

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41 Comments

  1. Hi , this is Sue Bonitatebus, I love my Hummingbirds. They come every year in Naugatuck, CT. I just love watching my hummingbirds and making sure their feeders are clean and great nectar. I do this every year and I’ll never stop. But I have noticed that my hummingbirds are not feeding and not coming. It has been cool but we will have warm weather next week. Will I still see more hummingbirds. I have had hummingbirds come right up to me when I’m sitting out side and just keep staring at me, as if they are saying, I’ll be back again. I just love it. I love watching them, making sure their nectar is right and their feeders are clean. It makes feel good and I know they like it too. It is awesome. I love doing this for the hummingbirds, It brings much joy!!! I said a lot but I wanted you to know how much they mean to me. Have a nice day and hope I didn’t say too much !!!! Much appreciated, Susan Bonitatebus

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  2. A hummingbird arrived at my feeder 2 days ago, Oct. 24th, I live in Hanover, CT. I am concerned this is very late.

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  4. I’m in Shelton, CT. I still have humming birds and it’s Oct. 15th. Should I be concerned. Most of my plants are still in full bloom as well.

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  5. There were several (5 or 6) so far today, October 11, 2023 at my feeder at different times. It could possibly be the same bird coming repeatedly. The last one I saw was at 1:35 pm. (Hamden, CT 06514)

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  6. One on my feeder at 6:29 pm on Oct.8; then today, Oct. 10, on my feeders at 3:27, 3:55, 4:27 and 4:49 pm- so far, in Meriden, CT

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    1. I haven’t seen any today in Durham. Doesn’t mean they aren’t here. I know they instinctually know when to leave, but it’s unnerving for us humans.

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  10. Another hummingbird was at my feeder around 1:20 today, October 6 in Meriden, CT. Cleaned my feeders again yesterday.

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