When spring is finally springing in Indiana, it’s time to welcome the hummingbirds. Each year, thousands of hummingbirds migrate across the U.S., and it’s one of the most delightful things you’ll ever experience. Mother Nature always finds new ways to impress us, and the annual migration of hummingbirds in Indiana is magical. If you’re wondering when will hummingbirds arrive in Indiana, read on – and get your feeders ready! Be sure to check out this list of the best hummingbird feeders to delight these precious birds.

Weighing less than a nickel, hummingbirds are one of the most unique types of birds on the planet -- and all 350 species live in the Americas.
Flickr/Eric Kilby
Only eight of these species regularly breed in the United States, and the most popular is the ruby-throated hummingbird. These are easy to identify from the gorgeous red color that you can spot on the male's throats. The females do not have this, their throat area is a grey or brown color.
These tiny birds spend the winter in Central and South America and begin their journey back north in February, which means they are in the southern part of the United States in the spring.
Flickr/Coconino National Forest
As springtime comes they migrate up to North America for the warmer season. Increasingly, hummingbirds are migrating earlier to the warmer temperatures in North America. In some cases, hummingbirds can even be spotted year-round in the more temperate climates of the country.
Most paths of this hummingbird migration are traced through Texas and the Deep South where the birds will breed on their way to the northern part of the country.
Pslawinski, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
The birds follow the spring flowers, migrating by day in order to find nectar. Temperature and food sources are the two guiding elements when it comes to hummingbird migration. So putting out a feeder year round may even have an impact on when you see hummingbirds in your yard.

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Early spring is the perfect time to start putting out sugar water for these beautiful creatures as they begin to return from their southern migration -- especially if you did last year.
Pixabay/DavesDigitalServices
It's believed that hummingbirds will return year after year to the same feeders. Hummingbirds are creatures of habit, and some scientists even believe that these smart birds will also stop at the same feeders along the same route on the same day, year after year. Fascinating, right? You may be communing with the same hummingbirds year after year and never have known it. Talk about loyalty! You can start to see hummingbirds in Indiana in early spring.
But of course, this is Mother Nature we're talking about, so we recommend getting your feeders ready and cameras charged even earlier.
Pexels/Omer Abas
With the weather patterns changing and hummingbird migration following, you can never be quite sure when you're going to spot these beautiful creatures. Hummingbirds expend a great deal of energy during their migration. Their wings beat 50 to 80 times per second, and their hearts beat at least 1,200 times per minute. So, they arrive pretty hungry. That's why we recommend having a feeder full of sugar water ready to go when these worn-out but stunning birds arrive at your doorstep.
Score big points with these birds by setting out a hummingbird feeder!
jeffreyw, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Bonus if it's the color red. Set up a feeder, and delight as these beautiful creatures arrive in Indiana. You can also plant small tubular flowers as hummingbirds are attracted to those kinds of blossoms. It's the very best way to welcome spring.

If you've been wondering when will hummingbirds come to Indiana, you can learn more about hummingbird migration in this video from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service:

The IN hummingbird migration is not only wonderful for the survival of these tiny creatures, but hummingbirds in Indiana also mean spring is finally here. Are you prepared for this year’s hummingbird migration to hit your backyard? For more information about viewing hummingbirds in Indiana, how to set up a hummingbird feeder, and more information answering when will hummingbirds arrive in Indiana, visit hummingbird-guide.com. And if you spot some, make sure to add them to the Hummingbird Migration map! As you prepare to welcome a new season in the Hoosier State, you’ll want to check out the best places in Indiana to visit in spring.

Do you look forward to seeing the hummingbirds come to your area every year? Let us know in the comments! We love to hear about your seasonal rituals. If you need a place to stay while observing the migration this year, check out the offerings from our friends at VRBO. You never know what you’ll find.

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When Should I Put Out Hummingbird Feeders in Indiana?

Tori Jane | February 18, 2023

When should I put out hummingbird feeders in Indiana?  

Indiana is an amazing state to watch the annual hummingbird migration occur from. As far north as we are, we’re actually one of the first states to welcome these little guys back! The best time to put hummingbird feeders out in Indiana is in the early spring, no later than right around the first week of April. Interestingly, if you put out feeders last year, be ready to see some of the same birds – they always remember a good meal spot, so be sure to provide one for them.  

 

When is the best time to see hummingbirds in Indiana?  

Amazingly, Indiana’s hummingbird season is surprisingly lengthy. They typically arrive in mid-April and stay until autumn. Typically, it’s just the ruby-throated hummingbird that you’ll see at your feeders, as they’re the only breeding species that pop up in the Hoosier State. These little guys prefer to feed in the early morning, or the early evening. No matter when or where you spot them, they are a joy. Some of the best places to see them include:  

  • Our amazing state parks – With 24 beautiful state parks to pick from, you’re sure to meet some little hummies in the parks.  
  • City/town parks – Anywhere you’ll find flowers, be they planted or wild, you’re sure to find pollinators – hummingbirds included.  
  • Your own yard! Seriously, plant some flowers, put up feeders and make sure they’re up by April for the best results.  

 

When do hummingbirds leave Indiana?  

As mentioned above, hummingbird season in Indiana ends in the fall. They typically stay through the summer, and come August/September, they feed up and then head out. They meander south toward the equator, where it’s much warmer than here, and stay there until late winter/early spring the next year, when they take the journey up to Indiana and beyond all over again. Learn more about all the best places to go birding in Indiana. 

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