Keep Your Eyes Peeled, Thousands of Hummingbirds Are Headed Right for Virginia During Their Migration This Spring

Good news, Virginia! The beautiful ruby-throated hummingbird will likely be flying through your neighborhood soon. The annual spring hummingbird migration is underway, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for these lovely creatures as they head northbound. If you want to see hummingbirds in Virginia this spring, read on to learn more!

Each fall, thousands of beautiful hummingbirds take flight from Canada and head to Florida, Mexico, and even as far south as South America. And who can blame them? The winter in the United States can often be brutal, and a tropical vacation sounds delightful.

Likewise, during the spring, these winged creatures make the return trip. Fortunately for us, the great state of Virginia just so happens to be right along their route.

If you own a hummingbird feeder or have always wanted one, now's the perfect opportunity. Clean out your feeder, fill it up with homemade nectar, and watch in amazement as the birds begin to visit.

Homemade nectar is just sugar water — it's very easy to make. We recommend making your own versus buying it and not using any food dyes. Though we don't know for sure that this would harm the birds, it's best to stick as closely to their natural food sources as possible.

Despite having thousands of miles to travel, hummingbirds fly low so they can spot food supplies along the way. Whether it's a flower or sugar water that you've placed out, they'll be grateful to find any source of energy for the long trip. And keep in mind that hummingbirds are drawn to bright colors, especially red, and tubular flowers that are both rich in nectar and easy for the hummingbirds to access with their long beaks.

Spotting a hummingbird is a magical event, especially considering how quickly they move. In fact, their wings flap 15 to 80 times per minute! During their migration, hummingbirds can fly up to 1,300 miles in one go. For that kind of intensive flying they need to be fueled up, which is why having a hummingbird feeder out for them is so important.

So, when can you expect the arrival of hummingbirds in Virginia? Usually, they show up in early April. So keep your eyes peeled, and don't forget to monitor your feeders if you want to see hummingbirds in Virginia this spring.

Do you usually set out hummingbird feeders? What kind of hummingbirds do you see in your yard? Follow the 2025 hummingbird migration live map on Hummingbird Central to stay up to date. And don't forget to share this article with your favorite bird nerd! For more fun springtime adventures, check out our list featuring more than a dozen of our favorite things to do during the spring in Virginia.