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

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

 

At the end of every summer, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (the only common species in the state) depart Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?

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 Pennsylvania.

 

This means that most hummingbirds leave Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?

 

Let us know in the COMMENTS section below!

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

30 Comments

  1. In Lancaster County Pennsylvania. I have one now on salvia. Feeder is still up. Had four the majority of the summer. October 9, 2023 at 11:00 am

  2. I have a hummingbird at my feeder right now. I live in Langhorne, Pa. I was going to bring in my feeder last week but noticed that I still have a hummingbird coming to the feeder. The date is October 6th.

  3. Our humming bird population ( female) appeared to leave the last week of September however last 2 days we are seeing one that makes us believe it’s migrating. We started to see the number of humming birds decrease all at once the last week of September and then after several days of not seeing any one has showed up. Most likely migrating. Etters PA

  4. This year seeing more hummingbirds end September than previous years. Today is 9/26/23 and still seeing a few each day. We live in northeastern PA

  5. I saw a female hummingbird here in Pennsylvania yesterday, September 25th, 2023. I have not seen one in the prior weeks. I live in the Dunmore/Scranton (Northeast Pa).

  6. Today is September 25, 2023 and I still see the hummingbirds at my feeders and flowers. This is the latest I’ve ever seen them here in Western PA. They usually leave by Sept 20.

  7. Live a little Southeast of Pittsburgh, Pa. Have 3 feeders out still. Haven’t seen any of the four of mine since September 13th. Keeping feeders up through the end of September as well as what’s remaining of my summer hanging baskets.

  8. Have not seen male Ruby Throat for 6 – 7 days. Last female at feeders on 9/16. I live in South Eastern PA. Near Longwood Gardens.

  9. I still have 2 females at my feeder this morning. I haven’t seen the male for a few days. This is the latest that I have ever seen them here. I’m not rushing them away, but shocked that they are still here! I live in central PA.

  10. Took pictures of two birds on my feeder on Sept,14, I live at the foothills. Of the Blue Ridge Mt, in Northern Northampton County Penn,,I continue my vigilance. Hoping to photograph any that visit my feeder, but it dosent seem likely,

  11. It’s Oct 5th and just had a hummingbird at the feeder 2x. Very surprised, was about to take feeder down since rain has stopped. I’m in Southeast PA north of Philadelphia.

  12. It is October 3 and I saw one at my feeder today. We are in north central PA north of 80! This seems really late. Hope she is OK!

  13. There are still two hummingbirds hanging around the feeder on September 22. I am in southern York county. They are drinking from the feeder much more than normal,so I think they are preparing to leave soon.

  14. Saw the last 3 here on September 20th in NE PA on the Delaware River…. 60 miles southeast of Binghamton NY. Will keep replenishing for another 3 weeks just to help a possible straggler from up north.