Broad-tailed Hummingbird in April
Where broad-tailed hummingbirds are in April, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
April in the Broad-tailed Hummingbird's year
April is when spring migration hits its stride. Waves of migrants move north on warm southerly winds, wintering birds leave for good, and early nesters are already on eggs in the South. Every week brings species that weren't there the week before.
For the Broad-tailed Hummingbird specifically, April is a spring month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 8 states and provinces where broad-tailed hummingbirds occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where broad-tailed hummingbirds are in April
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- mostly absent (migration only)
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In April, broad-tailed hummingbirds are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) across the mid-latitudes, and absent in the northern states and Canada. That north–south split is the defining feature of this month: where you live changes which version of this bird you're looking at.
Nesting in April
Broad-tailed hummingbirds are not nesting in April. The season runs June–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, broad-tailed hummingbirds put their energy into feeding and flocking rather than territory and young — which is exactly what makes them easier to watch and attract this month.
What to feed in April
- Nectar from penstemon and scarlet gilia
Breeds at 6,000–10,000 ft; can drop body temperature overnight to survive frosty mountain nights.
Migrants arriving after long flights are hungry — feeders can be genuine lifelines during cold, wet spells that suppress insects.
Full Broad-tailed Hummingbird diet guide → · Best feeder for broad-tailed hummingbirds →
Watching broad-tailed hummingbirds this month
Broad-tailed hummingbirds are settled and predictable in April, which makes this a good month to learn the bird's routine — same feeders, same perches, same times of day.
The state guides below show exactly where in your region broad-tailed hummingbirds are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird month by month
Broad-tailed Hummingbird by state
Frequently asked
Where are broad-tailed hummingbirds in April?
In April, broad-tailed hummingbirds are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do broad-tailed hummingbirds nest in April?
No — broad-tailed hummingbirds typically nest June through July at mid-latitudes.
What do broad-tailed hummingbirds eat in April?
Nectar from penstemon and scarlet gilia.
Sources
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
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.