Ruby-throated Hummingbird in March
Where ruby-throated hummingbirds are in March, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
March in the Ruby-throated Hummingbird's year
March is a month of transition. Winter visitors begin drifting north, the first spring migrants appear in the South, and resident birds are in full song. Weather swings hard — a warm week can push migration early, and a late blizzard can catch migrants short of food.
For the Ruby-throated Hummingbird specifically, March is a spring month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 44 states and provinces where ruby-throated hummingbirds occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where ruby-throated hummingbirds are in March
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- mostly absent (migration only)
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In March, ruby-throated 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 March
Ruby-throated hummingbirds are not nesting in March. The season runs May–August at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, ruby-throated 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 March
- Winters in Central America and southern Mexico
Change nectar every 2 days in hot weather (under 80°F, every 4–5 days) and clean the feeder each refill. Males defend feeders aggressively; several feeders out of sight of each other help.
Migration brings new faces to feeders. Keep seed fresh and watch for birds passing through that you won't see again until fall.
Full Ruby-throated Hummingbird diet guide → · Best feeder for ruby-throated hummingbirds →
Watching ruby-throated hummingbirds this month
Ruby-throated hummingbirds are settled and predictable in March, 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 ruby-throated hummingbirds are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird month by month
Ruby-throated Hummingbird by state
Frequently asked
Where are ruby-throated hummingbirds in March?
In March, ruby-throated hummingbirds are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do ruby-throated hummingbirds nest in March?
No — ruby-throated hummingbirds typically nest May through August at mid-latitudes.
What do ruby-throated hummingbirds eat in March?
Winters in Central America and southern Mexico.
Sources
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Ruby-throated 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.