Broad-tailed Hummingbird in October
Where broad-tailed hummingbirds are in October, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
October in the Broad-tailed Hummingbird's year
October brings the year's great turnover. The last long-distance migrants depart, winter visitors arrive from the North, and sparrows flood back into brushy edges and feeder yards. The first hard frosts end the insect season across most of the continent.
For the Broad-tailed Hummingbird specifically, October is a fall 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 October
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- mostly absent (migration only)
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In October, 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 October
Broad-tailed hummingbirds are not nesting in October. 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 October
- Winters in Mexico
Breeds at 6,000–10,000 ft; can drop body temperature overnight to survive frosty mountain nights.
This is the month to get winter feeding stations established — birds are scouting the food sources they'll rely on all winter.
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 October, 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 October?
In October, 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 October?
No — broad-tailed hummingbirds typically nest June through July at mid-latitudes.
What do broad-tailed hummingbirds eat in October?
Winters in Mexico.
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.