Hummingbirds in Alberta
Put feeders out by April 26. Migrants usually arrive around May 10 and most are gone by September 10; leave feeders up until September 24.
- Regular species
- 3
- Hang feeders by
- April 26
- Typical first arrival
- May 10
- Most gone by
- September 10
- Take feeders down
- September 24
The hummingbirds of Alberta
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
Summer nester in Alberta.
How to recognize it: Emerald back; adult male's throat flashes ruby red and looks black in shade; forked dark tail on males.
The only hummingbird that nests regularly east of the Great Plains. Many cross the Gulf of Mexico nonstop in spring, a flight of about 500 miles.
Rufous Hummingbird
Selasphorus rufus
Summer nester in Alberta.
How to recognize it: Male is bright orange-copper with a scarlet throat; females green above with rusty flanks and tail base.
Breeds farther north than any other hummingbird, into southeast Alaska, and is famous for chasing every other hummingbird off a feeder. A few winter along the Gulf Coast each year.
Calliope Hummingbird
Selasphorus calliope
Summer nester in Alberta.
How to recognize it: The smallest bird in the US and Canada, about 3 inches; male's throat is streaked with wine-red rays on white.
Nests in mountain forests of the interior West and passes through lower states in late summer.
When to put out hummingbird feeders in Alberta
Scouts reach Alberta around May 10, a little earlier in the south of the province and later at elevation. Males travel ahead of females by a week or more and arrive before many native flowers open, so a feeder hung two weeks early, by April 26, gets used.
When to take hummingbird feeders down in Alberta
Leaving feeders up does not keep hummingbirds from migrating; day length triggers departure. Adults leave first, then juveniles, and late stragglers from farther north pass through after your own birds have gone. In Alberta most have left by September 10. Keep at least one feeder clean and filled until September 24, two weeks after the last bird you see.
Native flowers for hummingbirds in Alberta
Feeders bring hummingbirds in; flowers and the insects on them keep them nesting nearby. These natives grow in Alberta (Canada 2a–4b):
- Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa): Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
- Golden currant (Ribes aureum): Early yellow flowers for hummingbirds, then summer fruit.
- Rocky Mountain bee plant (Cleome serrulata): Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.
- Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium): Evergreen with yellow spring flowers and blue summer fruit.
- Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium): Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower.
Nectar and cleaning
- Mix 1 cup plain white sugar into 4 cups water; boiling is optional if you use clean water and change it on schedule.
- No red dye, honey, brown sugar or sweeteners. A red feeder is enough to attract them.
- Change nectar every 2 days above 80°F, every 4–5 days in cooler weather; cloudy nectar has fermented.
- Scrub ports with a bottle brush at each change; soak monthly in 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water.
- Use an ant moat and keep feeders out of full afternoon sun to slow spoilage.
Frequently asked
What hummingbirds live in Alberta?
3 hummingbirds occur regularly in Alberta: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (summer nester); Rufous Hummingbird (summer nester); Calliope Hummingbird (summer nester).
When should I put out hummingbird feeders in Alberta?
Hang feeders by about April 26. The first hummingbirds usually reach Alberta around May 10, and early birds find little in bloom.
When should I take hummingbird feeders down in Alberta?
Most leave by about September 10. Keep feeders up until September 24, two weeks after the last one you see; a feeder does not stop birds from migrating.
What is the right sugar water ratio?
One part plain white sugar to four parts water, no red dye, no honey. Change it every two days when highs are above 80°F and every four to five days in cooler weather.
Sources
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird: range and life history (Cornell Lab, All About Birds)
- Rufous Hummingbird: range and life history (Cornell Lab, All About Birds)
- Calliope Hummingbird: range and life history (Cornell Lab, All About Birds)
- Journey North: hummingbird migration sighting maps
- Audubon: How to make hummingbird nectar
- NOAA 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Alberta
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.
Hummingbird feeders and ant moats
Feeders and add-ons that suit the nectar schedule above.
Hanging Basin Feeder and Water Bowl
A single open basin that hangs from a hook and does two jobs: a seed tray through the growing season, a shallow water bowl the rest of the year. Seed or water goes straight in — no reservoir, no perches, nothing to assemble beyond the hanging chains.Three chains run from the rim to one S-hook, so the basin hangs level under a bracket, a shepherd's hook or a low branch. Put it where you can watch it from a window, and where a cat can't launch from a fence.The rim is low and the floor is open, so birds can land anywhere around the edge instead of fighting over a perch. It also means the bowl needs wiping out every few days: hulls and droppings land in the water, and a rinse with hot water and a brush keeps it clean.The basin has a wood-grain finish and hangs from black metal chains.
Round Suet Ball Cage
A small round wire cage made to hold one suet or fat ball. The hinged cage opens for refilling and closes with a simple wire latch. A short chain and hook are included for hanging. Available in gold-colored or black finish. This is a suet holder, not a hummingbird feeder.
Five-Port Hummingbird Feeder
A compact red hummingbird feeder with a clear 8-ounce reservoir, five flower-shaped feeding ports, and five curved perches. The set includes a separate ant-moat cup and an S-hook for hanging. The wide base separates for routine washing. Use plain white sugar nectar at a 1:4 sugar-to-water ratio; never add dye.
Hummingbird Ant Moat Hooks, 4-Pack
Four red metal S-hooks, each with a built-in water cup. Hang the hook from your bracket, hang the feeder below it, and fill the cup with water. Ants walking down toward the nectar hit the water and stop.Specs Material: metal with red coating Pack: 4 moat hooks + 4 small cleaning brushes Fits most hanging feeders with a wire or loop hanger Use Plain water only. Never add oil or insecticide to the cup. Top up every few days in hot weather; a dry moat does nothing.