When Do Hummingbirds Arrive in Idaho? (2026)

Hummingbirds typically arrive in Idaho in mid April to early May, so put your feeder out by April 10. Numbers peak in June and July, the last birds are usually seen around mid September, and you should take your feeder down around October 1.

Mid April to early MaySpring arrival
April 10Feeders up by
June and JulyPeak months
Mid SeptemberLast departure
October 1Feeders down

Last updated: August 2026 · Typical windows for Idaho. Weather shifts arrival by a week or more in any given year.

Hummingbirds in Idaho: the year at a glance

April 10 — hang your feederHave fresh nectar out roughly two weeks before the first birds are expected. Scouts that find food early tend to return to the same yard year after year.
Mid April to early May — first arrivalsAdult males come through first, staking out territory. Females follow one to two weeks later.
June and July — peak numbersThe busiest feeder activity of the year in Idaho. Expect to change nectar every two to three days in warm weather.
Mid September — last departuresAdult males leave first, then females, then juveniles making the journey for the first time with no adult to follow.
October 1 — feeders downWhatever the calendar says, keep your feeder up until 14 days after your own last sighting. Late migrants from further north are still passing through.

What makes Idaho different

Idaho hosts the Calliope Hummingbird, the smallest bird in the United States, weighing about as much as a penny. Mountain valleys see the most variety from June onward.

Hummingbird species in Idaho

Ranges shift, and vagrants turn up well outside their expected territory — particularly in autumn and winter. If you see a hummingbird in Idaho outside the windows above, it is worth reporting to your state ornithological society.

Getting your Idaho feeder right

The recipe is the same everywhere: four parts water to one part plain white sugar. No red dye, no honey, no brown sugar. In Idaho's warm months you will need to change the nectar every two to three days, and daily once daytime highs pass 88°F — fermented nectar and black mould make hummingbirds ill.

Work out the exact amount for your feeder size with our hummingbird nectar calculator, and check the full state-by-state autumn schedule on the feeder takedown tool.

Ready for the Idaho season

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Problem solverAnt moat

Stops ants reaching the nectar without any chemicals.

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EssentialCleaning brush set

Reaches the ports where mould starts in warm weather.

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Frequently asked questions about hummingbirds in Idaho

When do hummingbirds arrive in Idaho?

Typically in mid April to early May. Put your feeder out by April 10 so early scouts find it — males arrive one to two weeks ahead of females.

When should I put feeders out in Idaho?

By April 10, about two weeks before the first birds are usually reported.

When do hummingbirds leave Idaho?

The last birds are typically seen around mid September. You should take your feeder down around October 1 — and always keep the feeder up for two weeks after your own final sighting.

What hummingbird species live in Idaho?

Black-chinned Hummingbird, Calliope Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird.

Will leaving my feeder up stop them migrating?

No. Day length triggers migration, not food. A feeder left up in Idaho helps late migrants and cannot make a healthy bird stay.

More free bird tools

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Nectar Calculator

The exact 4:1 recipe sized to your feeder.

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When to Take Feeders Down

Autumn takedown dates for all 50 states.

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Bird Identifier

Identify a mystery backyard bird in four questions.

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Hummingbird migration in other states

Want more hummingbirds in your Idaho yard? Start with the flowers and feeders that actually work.

Read our hummingbird guides