When Do Hummingbirds Arrive in Maryland? (2026)

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

Mid to late AprilSpring arrival
April 10Feeders up by
Late May and SeptemberPeak months
Late SeptemberLast departure
Mid OctoberFeeders down

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

Hummingbirds in Maryland: 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 to late April — first arrivalsAdult males come through first, staking out territory. Females follow one to two weeks later.
Late May and September — peak numbersThe busiest feeder activity of the year in Maryland. Expect to change nectar every two to three days in warm weather.
Late September — last departuresAdult males leave first, then females, then juveniles making the journey for the first time with no adult to follow.
Mid October — 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 Maryland different

Maryland's mix of coastal plain and mountains means arrival differs by up to two weeks across the state, with the Eastern Shore seeing birds before western Maryland.

Hummingbird species in Maryland

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

Getting your Maryland 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 Maryland'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 Maryland season

Hang it earlySaucer-style feeder

Bee-resistant, drip-free and quick to clean — the shape experts recommend.

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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 Maryland

When do hummingbirds arrive in Maryland?

Typically in mid to late April. 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 Maryland?

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

When do hummingbirds leave Maryland?

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

What hummingbird species live in Maryland?

Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

Will leaving my feeder up stop them migrating?

No. Day length triggers migration, not food. A feeder left up in Maryland 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 Maryland yard? Start with the flowers and feeders that actually work.

Read our hummingbird guides