Hummingbird season: When to put up & take down your feeders

Many people look forward to hummingbird season. Feeding and watching the antics of these hyperactive and sometimes pugnacious birds brings much joy.

But some questions come up about feeding hummingbirds. When should I put out my hummingbird feeders in the spring? When should I take down my hummingbirds in the fall? Can I keep my hummingbird feeder up through the winter? Should I?

This article answers those questions as well as tells you exactly when hummingbird season is in each state.

---

In this article:
Feeding hummingbirds
When to put up your hummingbird feeders
When to take down your hummingbird feeders for winter
Feeding hummingbirds in winter
Hummingbird season in each state (with chart)

---

Hummingbirds often arrive before we think they should. They arrive at different latitudes and different elevations depending upon average temperature that year. It can vary.

So here's a tip on when to put up your hummingbird feeders.

Put out hummingbird feeders when the first wildflowers bud along the river bottoms. Hang up your hummingbird feeders when the early daffodils bloom. Start feeding hummingbirds when the ornamental flowering cherries first bloom.

Anna's Hummingbird
Photo by Greg Gillson

Feeding hummingbirds

Feeding hummingbirds sugar water ("nectar") is a fun activity with very little downside. Keep the sugar to water ratio at 1 to 4 to mimic natural flower nectar. I discuss the hummingbird nectar recipe  in this article.

As long as you keep your hummingbird feeders clean, they are safe and helpful to our diminutive feathered friends. 

My recommendation is to fill the feeder with only what the hummingbirds drink completely in 3-5 days. Then always clean the feeders when refilling--never just top off a feeder. Clean and refill any time the nectar becomes cloudy or you notice any dark patches of mold inside.

[As an aside, I am really happy with my More Birds brand Ruby model hummingbird. It has 5 feeding ports in 10 ounces, so empties in 3-5 days with only 1 or 2 birds. It is easy to clean. It doesn't leak. It comes with a built-in ant moat. They have larger volumes, if you have more individual hummingbirds visiting your yard. Check these feeders out on the Amazon web site (affiliate link).]

Nectar, natural from flowers or that which you provide in your feeders, is not the only thing that hummingbirds eat. They also eat flying insects and spiders.

This means that if you stop feeding hummingbirds for any reason the hummingbirds will survive just fine. They won't die because you quit feeding them. They'll find food elsewhere.

I recommend...

When to put up your hummingbird feeders

Hummingbirds will surely appreciate having extra hummingbird food during the spring migration. Most hummingbirds migrate to southern climes in winter. They return very early in spring. Nights are still cold and they may even encounter snow or freezing temperatures. Very few flowers are in bloom and insect food is scarce. Yet here they are, following their instinctive innate migratory behavior. Your feeder can provide some needed energy to keep them going until they reach their final destination.

Thus, having your hummingbird feeders set up and out for the earliest migrants can really help them in spring. Hummingbirds don't all migrate at the same time. The angle of the sun on their wintering grounds triggers their hormones and eventually the urge to migrate turns into action. Weather they encounter on their travels may aid or hamper their travels.

In general, males migrate and arrive on their breeding grounds a week or two before the females. Males then set up and defend territories around food sources--flowers or even your hummingbird feeders. 

Females arrive and find the males. After mating, the females set up separate nesting territories and defend against other hummingbirds. The males take no part in nest building, incubating, or raising the young--the cad!

Within weeks the young are out of the nest and flying about. This is when visitors to your hummingbird feeders really increase. The young-of-the-year make up the bulk of hummingbirds at your feeder through late summer and fall.

Hang up your hummingbird feeders in spring a week before you expect the first birds to arrive. Then they'll be ready when the first migrants pass through.

When to take down your hummingbird feeders for winter

When do hummingbirds leave? In the West, male hummingbirds are done with their contribution to the next generation in early summer. By early July they have left the lowlands and head up into the mountains. There they find flowers blooming higher and higher as they make their way south in the mountains to southern Mexico for the winter.

"Where did all my hummingbirds go?" people ask. Mexico. Now you know. (Kind of kidding.)

But the young birds still hang around their nesting area. These will remain at your feeders through fall. They are joined by migrants from further north as weather changes and hormones impel them southward.

Hummingbirds in fall will feed from your feeders and gain energy for their migration. Your hummingbird feeders will not cause hummingbirds not to migrate. Hormones are greater than even free food.

"When do I stop feeding hummingbirds?" you may ask. You don't. Keep feeding them as long as they keep coming to your feeder.

Adult male hummingbirds usually leave in summer, months before the females and young. Keep your hummingbird feeders up until there are no more hummingbirds. 

Take your hummingbird feeders down for the winter two weeks after you see the last hummingbird. 

That way you may feed any late stragglers.

Feeding hummingbirds in winter

On the West Coast, from Vancouver, Canada southward through Baja, and into parts of Arizona, the Anna's Hummingbird is a resident species. There is no need to take your hummingbird feeders down in winter if you live there! In fact, Anna's Hummingbirds nest from late December into February!

Also, in the Southwest deserts, Costa's Hummingbirds remain in the United States during winter.
From Texas to Florida some hummingbirds of several species are rare winter visitors--especially near the coast. Keep feeding all winter as long as there are hummingbirds!

Is a late hummingbird just moving through, or will it stay to spend the winter? Hummingbird migration lasts into November. If you still have any hummingbirds by mid-December, they will likely remain through the winter. Such wintering birds may remain in place until March or April! Hurray!

To keep hummingbird feeders from freezing in winter you may place the feeder near an incandescent porch light that provides some heat. If that's not practical, bring the feeder into your home well after dark. Hummingbirds feed well after dusk on cold winter nights. Put the feeder out at dawn so that cold hummers have some room-temperature calories to warm up with on cold winter mornings.

I wrote an article on how to keep your hummingbird feeder from freezing in winter, if you have hummingbirds in winter.

Hummingbird season in each state

In this section I use real data from eBird to determine when regular hummingbirds are present in each state in the United States. Then you can know when to set up and take down your feeders based on birds in your area.

If I mention hummingbirds in winter then that species occurs regularly, even if very rarely. Most states have had several rare hummingbird species show up in winter over the years, but not regularly enough to mention or expect. But that rare hummingbird will only show up at your feeder if your feeder is set up with fresh nectar!

This chart summarizes the timing in the text that follows in the next section. It tells you exactly when to feed hummingbirds.

When to feed hummingbirds
State	Put out	Take down	Comment
Alabama	Early March	December
Alaska	Early April	September	All year in SE
Arizona	All year
Arkansas	Mid March	December
California	All year
Colorado	Early April	November
Connecticut	Early April	November
Delaware	Early April	November
Florida	All year
Georgia	All year
Idaho	Late March	November
Illinois	Early April	December
State	Put out	Take down	Comment
Indiana	Early April	December
Iowa	Mid April	December
Kansas	Early April	December
Kentucky	Mid March	December
Louisiana	All year
Maine	Mid April	November
Maryland	Early April	December
Massachusetts	Early April	December
Michigan	Early April	November
Minnesota	Mid April	November
Mississippi	Year round
Missouri	Early March	January
State	Put out	Take down	Comment
Montana	Early April	November
Nebraska	Mid April	December
Nevada	Early March	December	All year in W and S
New Hampshire	Early April	November
New Jersey	Mid March	December
New Mexico	Late February	December	All year OK
New York	Late March	December
North Carolina	All year
North Dakota	Late April	November
Ohio	Late March	December
Oklahoma	Late March	November
Oregon	All year
State	Put out	Take down	Comment
Pennsylvania	Late March	December
Rhode Island	Early April	November
South Carolina	Early March	December	All year OK
South Dakota	Late April	November
Tennessee	Late March	December
Texas	All year
Utah	Mid March	November
Vermont	Early April	November
Virginia	Early March	December
Washington	Late March	November	All year in W
West Virginia	Mid March	December
Wisconsin	Early April	November
Wyoming	Late April	October

Alabama

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in Alabama about the 2nd week of March and depart Alabama about the 1st week of November.

A few Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Rufous Hummingbirds, and Black-chinned Hummingbirds winter rarely but regularly in Alabama.

Put out your hummingbird feeders in Alabama by the first week of March. Take them down in mid-November if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

Alaska

Rufous Hummingbirds arrive in Southeast and Southcentral Alaska the first week of April and depart at the end of August.

Anna's Hummingbirds are most common from late August to late April in Southeast and southcentral Alaska. They are less common in summer.

A few Costa's Hummingbirds have shown up as rarities in fall in Alaska.

Keep your hummingbird feeders up year round in Southeast and Southcentral Alaska.

Arizona

Check a range map or eBird for what hummingbirds are expected in your Arizona county. Many hummingbird species are found only in Southern or Southeastern Arizona.

Rivoli's Hummingbirds are year-round residents in Arizona.

Most of the Plain-capped Starthroats arrive in Southern Arizona the first week of July and depart in mid-September.

Blue-throated Mountain-gems are year-round residents in Southern Arizona.

Lucifer Hummingbirds arrive in Southern Arizona in the last week of March and remain until the first week of October.

Black-chinned Hummingbirds arrive in Arizona the first week of March and depart at the end of October.

Anna's Hummingbirds are year-round residents in Arizona.

Costa's Hummingbirds are year-round residents in Arizona.

Broad-tailed Hummingbirds arrive in Arizona the 1st week of March and depart the first week of November.

Rufous Hummingbirds migrate through Arizona in spring from mid-February to mid-May. Rufous-hummingbirds migrate through Arizona in fall from the 1st week of July to the first week of November.

Calliope Hummingbirds migrate through Arizona in spring from the last week of March until Mid-May. In fall Calliope Hummingbirds migrate through Arizona from mid-July to the first week of October.

Broad-billed Hummingbirds are year-round residents in Arizona.

Most Berylline Hummingbirds arrive in Southern Arizona in mid-July and depart the first week of September.

Violet-crowned Hummingbirds arrive in Southern Arizona the 2nd week of January and depart in mid-November.

White-eared Hummingbirds arrive in Southeastern Arizona the 2nd week of May and depart the first week of September.

If you live in Arizona keep a bunch of hummingbird feeders up year round!

Arkansas

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in Arkansas the last week of March and depart in the middle of November.

Seven rare hummingbirds have wintered in Arkansas, but none regularly.

Put up your hummingbird feeders in Arkansas by the middle of March. Take your hummingbird feeders down in December if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

Allen's Hummingbird
Photo by Greg Gillson

California

Black-chinned Hummingbirds arrive in California the last week of March and depart the last week of September.

Anna's Hummingbirds are year-round residents in California.

Costa's Hummingbirds are year-round residents in the deserts of Southern California.

Rufous Hummingbirds migrate through California in spring from mid-February to the 3rd week of May. Fall migration starts immediately; Rufous Hummingbirds migrate through California in fall from mid-June to the end of September.

Allen's Hummingbirds are resident in coastal Southern California. Elsewhere in coastal Central and Northern California, Allen's Hummingbirds arrive in mid-January and depart the 1st week of August.

Calliope Hummingbirds arrive in California the first week of April and depart in mid-August.
Residents of California should keep their hummingbird feeders up all year.

Colorado

Black-chinned Hummingbirds arrive in Colorado in mid-April and depart the 1st week of October.

Broad-tailed Hummingbirds arrive in Colorado the 2nd week of April and depart in mid-October.

Rufous Hummingbirds pass through Colorado in fall migration from late June through September.

Calliope Hummingbirds pass through Colorado in fall migration from the 1st week of July to the 3rd week of September.

Put your hummingbird feeders out in Colorado by the 1st of April. Take your feeders down in November if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

Connecticut

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in Connecticut in mid-April and depart in mid-October.

There are several reports of Rufous Hummingbirds in fall and winter.

Put your hummingbird feeders out in early April in Connecticut. Take your feeders down in November if you haven't seen a hummingbird in 2 weeks.

Delaware

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive the first week of April in Delaware and depart in mid-October.

Put your hummingbird feeders out by April 1st in Delaware. Take your feeders down in November if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

Florida

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are found year-round in Florida, more abundantly during the spring and fall migrations. Peak numbers are found from late March to mid-May and then again from the first week of June to the 1st week in November.

Many other hummingbirds have been reported in Florida. Black-chinned Hummingbirds and Rufous Hummingbirds have wintered.

Keep your hummingbird feeders up year-round in Florida.

Georgia

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive the 2nd week of March in Georgia and most depart by November.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and Rufous Hummingbirds are rare but regular in winter. 

Black-chinned Hummingbirds and Calliope Hummingbirds are even more rare in winter in Georgia.

Keep your hummingbird feeders up all year in Georgia. If you haven't seen any hummingbirds for 3 weeks by mid-December, go ahead and take down your feeders until the beginning of March. Hummingbirds aren't likely to move around much in winter.

Hawaii

No hummingbirds live in Hawaii. But there are many other colorful tropical birds. Honeycreepers are nectar eaters, but apparently are only attracted to native flowers, not nectar feeders. Too bad, because most types are endangered and could use the help.

Idaho

Black-chinned Hummingbirds arrive in Idaho in early April and depart in mid-October.

Anna's Hummingbirds are rare visitors to Idaho. Some birds remain all year, but most are winter visitors. Most arrive in September and depart the 1st week of March.

Broad-tailed Hummingbirds arrive in late April and depart by the 3rd week of September.

Rufous Hummingbirds arrive the 2nd week of April and depart the 1st week of October.

Calliope Hummingbirds arrive the 1st week of April and depart in late September.

Put up your hummingbird feeders the end of March in Idaho. Take down your feeders about November 1st if you haven't had any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

Illinois

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in Illinois the 2nd week of April and depart in late October.

Put up your hummingbird feeders in Illinois the 1st week of April. Take down your feeders by December if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

Indiana

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in Indiana about the 1st week of April and depart by the end of October.

Put up your hummingbird feeders in Indiana in late March. Take down your feeders in early December if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

Iowa

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in Iowa in late April and depart in late October.

Put up your hummingbird feeders in Iowa in mid-April. Take down your feeders in late November if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

Kansas

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in Kansas about the 2nd week of April and depart in late October.

Rufous Hummingbirds are rare fall migrants in Kansas, from July through September.

Put up your hummingbird feeders in Kansas in early April. Take your feeders down in late November if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

Kentucky

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in Kentucky the last week of March and depart by the end of November.

Rufous Hummingbirds winter rarely in Kentucky.

Put out your hummingbird feeders in Kentucky in mid-March. Take down your feeders by mid-December if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

Louisiana

The bulk of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in Louisiana the 1st week of March and depart by November. However, many also spend the entire winter.

Black-chinned Hummingbirds winter in Louisiana, arriving in September and remaining through April.

Broad-tailed Hummingbirds winter in Louisiana, most arrive in mid-November and depart in early February. Some arrive earlier and stay later.

Rufous Hummingbirds winter in Louisiana, arrive the 1st week of August and depart in April.

Calliope Hummingbirds winter in Louisiana, arrive in mid-November and depart in mid-April.

Buff-bellied Hummingbirds winter in Louisiana, arrive in mid-September and depart in April.

Keep your hummingbird feeders up all year in Louisiana!

Maine

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in Maine in mid-April and depart by late October.

Put your hummingbird feeders up in Maine the 2nd week of April. Take your feeders down in early November if you haven't seen a hummingbird in 2 weeks.

Maryland

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in Maryland in mid-April and depart by late October.

Rufous Hummingbirds sometimes winter in Maryland, arrive in September and depart in late April.

Put your hummingbird feeders out in Maryland in early April. Take your feeders down in late November if you haven't seen a hummingbird in 2 weeks.

Massachusetts

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in Massachusetts the 2nd week of April and depart in late November.

Put your hummingbird feeders out in Massachusetts by the 1st of April. Take your feeders down by the beginning of December if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

Michigan

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in Michigan in late April and depart mid-October.

Put your hummingbird feeders out in Michigan in early April. Take your feeders down in mid-November if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

Minnesota

Ruby-throated Hummingbird arrives in Minnesota in late April and departs in late October.

Put your hummingbird feeders out in Minnesota in mid-April. Take your hummingbird feeders down in mid-November if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

Mississippi

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in Mississippi arrive in late February and depart in late December.

Occasional wintering hummingbirds in Mississippi include Ruby-throated, Black-chinned, Rufous, Calliope, and Buff-bellied.

Keep your hummingbird feeders up year-round in Mississippi. If you haven't seen any hummingbirds for 2 weeks in late December you may take your feeders down. Put them up in mid-February again.

Missouri

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in Missouri in late March and depart in late November.

Put your hummingbird feeders up in Missouri the 2nd week of March. Take your feeders down in mid-December if you haven't seen any hummingbirds for 2 weeks.

Montana

Black-chinned Hummingbirds arrive in Montana the 1st week of May and depart in late September.

Rufous Hummingbirds arrive in Montana the 2nd week of April and depart late September.

Calliope Hummingbirds arrive in Montana the 2nd week of April and depart in late September.

Broad-tailed Hummingbirds arrive the 1st week of May and depart in mid-September.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are rare fall migrants in Montana, primarily August and September.

Put your hummingbird feeders out in Montana the 1st week of April. Take your feeders down in early November if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

Nebraska

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in Nebraska in late April and depart the 3rd week of October.

Put up your hummingbird feeders in Nebraska the 3rd week of April. Take down your feeders in mid-November if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

Nevada

Anna's Hummingbirds are year-round residents in western and southern Nevada lowlands.

Costa's Hummingbirds are year-round residents in southern Nevada.

Black-chinned Hummingbirds arrive in Nevada in mid-March and depart the end of October.

Broad-tailed Hummingbirds arrive in Nevada in early March and depart in late September.

Calliope Hummingbirds arrive in Nevada in late March and depart at the end of September.

Rufous Hummingbirds migrate through Nevada in spring (2nd week of March through May) and fall (mid-June to mid-October).

If you live in lowlands of western or southern Nevada then keep your hummingbird feeders up all year round. 

Otherwise, put out your hummingbird feeders in Nevada in early March. Take down your feeders in mid-November if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

New Hampshire

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in New Hampshire the 2nd week of April and depart in mid-October.

Put up your hummingbird feeders in New Hampshire the first week of April. Take down your hummingbird feeders in mid-November in New Hampshire if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

New Jersey

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in New Jersey in late March and depart in early November.

Put out your hummingbird feeders in New Jersey in mid-March. Take down your feeders in New Jersey in early December if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

New Mexico

Black-chinned Hummingbirds arrive in New Mexico in early March and depart the 3rd week of November.

Broad-tailed Hummingbirds arrive in New Mexico in early March and depart in late November.

Rufous Hummingbirds are fall migrants in New Mexico, arriving in mid-June and departing in mid-November.

Calliope Hummingbirds are fall migrants in New Mexico, arriving the end of June and departing the end of October.

Anna's, Broad-tailed, and Rufous Hummingbirds winter occasionally in New Mexico.

Several rare species of hummingbirds are found in Southwestern New Mexico in summer and fall (some are found all year). These include Rivoli's, Blue-throated Mountain-gem, Lucifer, Broad-billed, Violet-crowned hummingbirds and others, even more rare.

Put up your hummingbird feeders in late February in New Mexico. Take down your feeders in late December if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks. However, since the chance for a wintering hummingbirds is high, you may want to keep your feeders up all year round.

New York

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in New York in early April and depart in mid-November.

Put out your hummingbird feeders in New York in late March. Take down your feeders in early December if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

North Carolina

Most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in North Carolina in late March and depart in mid-November. However, a good number of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds spend the entire winter.

No other hummingbird species regularly winter in North Carolina. However, 10 species of rare hummingbirds have wintered.

Keep your hummingbird feeders up year-round in North Carolina.

North Dakota

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in North Dakota the last week of April and depart the 1st week of October.

Put your hummingbird feeders out in North Dakota the 3rd week of April. Take down your feeders in mid-October if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

Ohio

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in Ohio the 1st week of April and depart in November.

Several rare hummingbirds have been found in Ohio from September through December.

Put out your hummingbird feeders in Ohio the last week of March. Take down your feeders in mid-December if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

Oklahoma

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in Oklahoma in the last week of March and depart in late October.

Black-chinned Hummingbirds arrive in Oklahoma the last week of March and depart the 3rd week of October.

Rufous Hummingbirds are fall migrants in Oklahoma, primarily mid-July to late September. However, there are several November records, too.

Put up your hummingbird feeders in Oklahoma the 3rd week of March. Take down your feeders in mid-November if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

Rufous Hummingbird
Photo by Greg Gillson

Oregon

Black-chinned Hummingbirds arrive in Oregon in mid-March and depart in mid-October.

Anna's Hummingbirds are year-round residents primarily in the western half of Oregon.

Rufous Hummingbirds arrive in Oregon in mid-February (coastally first; not until April in Eastern half of state) and depart in early November.

Allen's Hummingbirds arrive in extreme SW Oregon in mid-February and depart in early August.

Calliope Hummingbirds arrive in Oregon the 2nd week of March and depart in mid-October.

Keep your hummingbird feeders up year round in the western half of Oregon. Otherwise, in the eastern half of Oregon put up your hummingbird feeders the 1st week of April. Take down your feeders in mid-November if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

Pennsylvania

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in Pennsylvania the 1st week of April and depart in November.

Rare Rufous Hummingbirds are found occasionally, fall through winter, with a peak from the 2nd week of November to the 1st week of December.

Put up your hummingbird feeders in Pennsylvania  the last week of March. Take down your feeders in early December if you have not seen hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

Rhode Island

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in Rhode Island in the 2nd week of April and depart the 1st week of October.

Put out your hummingbird feeders in Rhode Island the 1st week of April. Take down your feeders the 1st week of November if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

South Carolina

Most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in South Carolina in mid-March and depart in mid-November. However, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds can be found in small numbers year-round.

Several rare hummingbirds may occasionally be found wintering in South Carolina. Most show up in November and may remain to early April. However, Rufous Hummingbirds may show up as soon as August and remain all winter and spring.

Keep your hummingbird feeders up all year in South Carolina. If you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2-3 weeks by late December, you can probably take them down. Put up your hummingbird feeders again in early March.

South Dakota

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in South Dakota the 1st week of May and depart in mid-October.

Broad-tailed Hummingbirds arrive in South Dakota in mid-May and depart in late August.

Rufous Hummingbirds are rare fall migrants in South Dakota, arriving in mid-July and departing the 3rd week of September.

Put out your hummingbird feeders in South Dakota the last week of April. Take your feeders down the end of October if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

Tennessee

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in Tennessee the last week of March and most depart in mid-November.

Several rare hummingbirds arrive in early November and sometimes remain into December or January. 

Rufous Hummingbirds may arrive in mid-July and remain until mid-March.

Put up your hummingbird feeders in Tennessee during the 3rd week of March. Take your feeders down the 3rd week of December if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

Texas

Most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in Texas the 1st week of March and depart in early December. However, they also winter regularly in coastal Texas inland to Austin and San Antonio.

Most Black-chinned Hummingbirds arrive in Texas in early March and depart in mid-November. 

However they also winter regularly in coastal Texas inland to Austin and San Antonio.

Lucifer Hummingbirds arrive in the Big Bend and Davis Mountain areas of Texas in late February and depart in mid-December.

Broad-tailed Hummingbirds are found in Texas all year. However, they summer in the West and in fall and winter are found along the coast inland to Austin and San Antonio.

Rufous Hummingbirds migrate through Texas in early spring and fall. They winter coastally, inland to Austin and San Antonio. They are least common from April through June.

Buff-bellied Hummingbirds are year-round residents along the Texas coast inland to Austin and San Antonio.

There are numerous other rare hummingbirds in Texas throughout the year.

Keep your hummingbird feeders up all year in Texas.

Utah

Black-chinned Hummingbirds arrive in Utah the 3rd week of March and depart in mid-November.

Anna's Hummingbirds are year-round residents in Southwestern Utah.

Costa's Hummingbirds are year-round residents in Southwestern Utah.

Broad-tailed Hummingbirds arrive in mid-March and depart the 3rd week of October.

Rufous Hummingbirds are primarily fall migrants in Utah, late June to mid-October.

Calliope Hummingbirds arrive in early April and depart the 1st week of October.

Keep your hummingbird feeders up all year in Utah in the Southwest corner (near Las Vegas, Nevada). Elsewhere in Utah put out your hummingbird feeder the 2nd week of March. Take your feeders down in mid-November if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

Vermont

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in Vermont the 2nd week of April and depart the 3rd week of October.

Put out your hummingbird feeder in Vermont in early April. Take your feeders down in early December if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

Virginia

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in Virginia the 2nd week of March and depart in early December.

Put up your hummingbird feeders in Virginia in early March. Take your feeders down in mid-December if you haven't had any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

Anna's Hummingbird
Photo by Greg Gillson

Washington

Anna's Hummingbirds are year-round residents in the western half of Washington State.

Black-chinned Hummingbirds arrive in Washington in late April in the eastern half of Washington.

Rufous Hummingbirds arrive along the Washington coast in early February and depart from Washington in the end of October.

Calliope Hummingbirds arrive in Washington in the end of March and depart at the end of September.

Keep your hummingbird feeders out all year in the western half of Washington. 

In Eastern Washington put up your hummingbird feeders at the end of March. Take down your feeders in mid-October if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

West Virginia

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in West Virginia at the end of March and depart the 3rd week of October.

Rufous Hummingbirds arrive in mid-September and depart in mid-January.

Put up your hummingbird feeders in West Virginia in mid-March. Take your feeders down in mid-December if you haven't seen hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

Wisconsin

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in Wisconsin in the 2nd week of April and depart in late November.

Put up your hummingbird feeders in Wisconsin in early April. Take down your feeders in mid-December if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

Wyoming

Black-chinned Hummingbirds arrive in Wyoming the 1st week of May and depart the 3rd week of September.

Broad-tailed Hummingbirds arrive in Wyoming at the end of April and depart the end of September.

Rufous Hummingbirds are primarily a fall migrant in Wyoming from late June to mid-September.

Calliope Hummingbirds arrive in Wyoming the 1st week of May and depart the 3rd week of September.

Put up your hummingbird feeders in Wyoming the end of April. Take down your feeders the end of October if you haven't seen any hummingbirds in 2 weeks.

---

You may like:

Make the perfect hummingbird nectar and...  Steal your neighbor's hummingbirds!

Do you need some ideas of where to put your feeders?  25 Tips: Where to hang your hummingbird feeder

Don't make these common mistakes!  Why won't hummingbirds come to my feeder?

Do you need an inexpensive pair of binoculars to view your hummingbirds at close range? I researched those under $100 and found 3 different ones that would work perfectly.  The best binoculars under $100 for backyard bird watching

Learn how to identify birds: 7 Steps to accurately identify birds

How do you stop hummingbirds from fighting over the feeder?

---

12 Best birding binoculars under $200: Birder selected!

[Updated December 2022] 

You want to purchase binoculars for bird watching but you don't know who to trust! You want to purchase the best binoculars under $200.

This post was written and researched by a real birder--me! I've been birding over 45 years, sometimes with poor optics, so I know what birders need in binoculars. Here is my About Me page.

When you are doing your research for buying budget birding binoculars under $200 you may be led to reviews and recommendations made by people who are not birders. The reviewers tend to copy one another's lists--even for binoculars that are less than ideal for bird watching.

There was a time, not long ago, when getting decent bird watching binoculars for under $200 was not possible. There was no such thing as "best binoculars under 200 dollars." Things have improved. But there are still a lot of cheap models out there that say they are for birders, but they aren't very good. The ones listed here should work well for you and yet stay in your budget.

Here are my 12 choices for best bird watching binoculars under $200 for real birders--you! I'll tell you why below. [Plus 2 bonus binoculars under $230 to consider.] First, the list.

The best binoculars for bird watchers under $200 are these:

• Wingspan SkyBirder 8x42
• Celestron Nature DX ED 8x42  Recommended
• Nikon ProStaff 3S 8x42
• Vortex Crossfire 8x42  
• Wingspan NaturePro HD 8x42
• Wingspan SkyView 8x42 Recommended
• Carson VP 8x42  
• Bushnell Legend Ultra 10x42  Discontinued January 2020
• Vanguard Spirit XF 10x42
• Vortex Diamondback 8x28
• Vortex Diamondback HD 8x32
• Celestron Trailseeker 8x32
• Opticron Discovery WP PC 8x32 (<$230)
• Carson 3D 8x32 (<$230)

If I chose one of these as the best, it would be the Celestron Nature DX ED 8x42. Compare today's price on Amazon Compare today's price on Adorama Read my in-depth review of the Celestron Nature DX ED 8x42 binocular December 2022: A recent binocular review by Cornell's All About Birds (source) has these three birding binoculars as best budget:  Opticron Oregon 4 PC Oasis 8x42 Celestron Nature DX ED 8x42 Hawke Nature-Trek 8x42

---

What makes a good birding binocular?

The 8x42 style is the best all-round full-sized birding binocular. That is 8-power magnification and an objective lens size of 42 millimeters. Dividing 8 into 42 gives 5.25mm of exit pupil (anything of 5 or over gives excellent brightness even in dim conditions, such as twilight or overcast winter days or in the deep dark woods! I've selected 7 of the best in this price range for you.

There are also a couple of 10x binoculars I picked out. They are not quite as bright in dim conditions (exit pupil 4.2mm), but magnify another 25% more than 8x binoculars. Sounds great (and it is), but that also means 25% more hand-shakiness magnification and a bit heavier, too. So be warned, more magnification isn't necessarily better for long days in the field. 

They also have narrower field of view, making it harder to find that movement in the canopy, or get on that lone swift flying far overhead. 10x binoculars, in general, have shorter eye relief--there are very few models suitable for eyeglass wearers. 

A final problem more magnification brings is that these binoculars will likely not have very good close focus. Butterflies at your feet or a bird in a nearby hedge may be too close to focus. If most of your birding is in open country, then these are a good choice.

There is one compact binocular I selected, an 8x28 model. These can be very dull in low light conditions (exit pupil 3.5mm). But they are good as a hiking binocular or something small to have as a binocular you always carry in your car's glove compartment. Or a pair for feeder watching out the window.

Finally, I've selected 4 mid-sized binoculars in the 8x32 range. Their exit pupil is 4.0mm. So in low-light conditions, comparing side-by-side with a good 8x42, they won't give quite as bright and colorful display. 

Most of the time you won't notice the difference. They use the same prisms and ocular lenses as their corresponding 8x42 brothers. So they generally are much better quality than the compact binoculars, while still having a smaller form factor and less weight--perfect for smaller hands.

In summary, a good birding binocular is 8x42 with wide field of view to see more birds (>390 feet @ 1000 yards), close focus for great view even in close bushes or window feeders (<8 feet), and longer eye relief for better view for eyeglass wearers (15.5-19 mm). Good exceptions include 10x42, 8x32, and a compact 8x28 with the above specs, depending upon use.

Which binoculars are best for birding at all prices? I compare over 80 models of birding binoculars and discuss all these specifications in more detail in this buying guide article.

A quick note: All binoculars here are for adults. Children less than 14 years old may have their eyes too close together to see with both binocular lenses at the same time. 

But see the Opricron Discovery WP PC 8x32. [See buying guide above under "Interpupilary Distance" and "Kids Binoculars."]

---

Wingspan SkyBirder 8x42

"Out of stock" in February 2020. Returning? (It's still on their web site.)

ED glass fully multicoated. BaK-4 prisms with phase corrected coatings. Waterproof/fog-proof. Nitrogen sealed. Limited lifetime warranty.

Field of view: 425 ft @1000 yards (very good)
Close focus: 6.6 ft (good)
Exit pupil: 5.25 mm (excellent)
Eye relief: 17.8 mm (very good)
Weight: 27 oz (okay)

Greg's comments: Full-sized 8x42 $150-200 range. Excellent optics. The specs are all good (especially wide field of view) but this is getting a bit on the heavier side. Compares favorably with the Bushnell Legend L Ultra. Replaces Wingspan CrystalView.

---

Celestron Nature DX ED 8x42

Recommended

ED glass. Fully multi-coated. Phase coated BaK-4 prisms. Rubber armored, polycarbonate body. Waterproof. Nitrogen-sealed. Limited lifetime warranty.

Field of view: 393 ft @1000 yards (good)
Close focus: 6.5 ft (good)
Exit pupil: 5.25 (excellent)
Eye relief: 17.8 mm (very good)
Weight: 24.9 oz (good)

Greg's comments: Full-sized 8x42 $100-150 range. The ED glass makes this the Best full sized 8x42 birding binocular under $200.

Check out my in-depth review of the Celestron Nature DX ED 8x42 binocular.

Check price at Adorama (affiliate link)

---

Nikon ProStaff 3S 8x42

Eco-Glass (lead-free, arsenic-free). Multi-layer coatings. Silver mirror coatings on prisms. Waterproof/fog-proof; nitrogen sealed. Polycarbonate body. Limited lifetime warranty.

Field of view: 378 ft @1000 yards (okay)
Close focus: 9.8 ft (okay)
Exit pupil: 5.25 mm (excellent)
Eye relief: 20.2 (excellent)
Weight: 19.9 oz (excellent)

Greg's comments: Full-sized $100-150 range. Optics properties aren't as good as others here. Excellent eye relief for eyeglass wearers. Field of view and close focus specs not as good as others in its class. Not bad. Just not quite as good.

---

Vortex Crossfire HD 8x42

HD glass. Fully multicoated. Waterproof/fog-proof; nitrogen-sealed. Unlimited and transferable lifetime warranty.

Field of view: 393 ft @1000 yards (good)
Close focus: 6 feet (very good)
Exit pupil: 5.25 mm (excellent)
Eye relief: 17 mm (good)
Weight: 23.8 oz (good)

Greg's comments: Full-sized 8x42 $100-150 range. Good value. Best close focus in its range (though barely).

---

Wingspan NaturePro HD 8x42

I communicated with Wingspan Optics and they said this binocular will restock in 2020.

Fully multicoated lenses. Phase corrected BaK-4 prism coatings. Waterproof/fog-proof; nitrogen sealed. Limited lifetime warranty.

Field of view: 430 ft @1000 yards (excellent)
Close focus: 6.6 ft (good)
Exit pupil: 5.25 mm (excellent)
Eye relief: 17.2 mm (good)
Weight: 22 oz (very good)

Greg's comments: Full-sized 8x42 $100-150 range. Excellent optics and specs, but HD glass, not the better ED glass. Widest field of view and lightest in this range. The wide field of view is very desirable in the full-sized 8x42 birding binocular in the $100-150 range. 

---

Wingspan SkyView Ultra HD 8x42

Recommended

ED glass. Fully mulitcoated. BaK-4 prisms. Phase coated. Waterproof/fog proof; nitrogen sealed. Limited lifetime warranty.

Field of view: 393 ft @ 1000 yards (good)
Close Focus: 6.6 ft (good)
Exit pupil: 5.25 mm (excellent)
Eye relief: 17.8 mm (very good)
Weight: 22 oz (very good)

Greg's comments: Full-sized 8x42 $150-200 range. Was unavailable for a while. Back in stock in February 2020. The ED glass makes this a good choice.

---

Carson VP 8x42

Fully multicoated. BaK-4 prisms. Phase coated. Waterproof/fog-proof; nitrogen sealed. No fault warranty.

Field of view: 393 ft @1000 yards (good)
Close focus: 6.6 ft (good)
Exit pupil: 5.25 mm (excellent)
Eye relief: 17 mm (good)
Weight: 24.6 oz (good)

Greg's comments: Full-sized 8x42 $100-150 range. Good optics, but lacks ED glass. Great value. The no-fault warranty is an added bonus.

---

Bushnell Legend Ultra 10x42

Discontinued (as of January 2020)

ED Prime glass. Fully multicoated optics. BaK-4 prisms. Waterproof. Limited lifetime warranty.

Field of view: 340 ft @1000 yards (okay)
Close focus: 8 ft (okay)
Exit pupil: 4.2 mm (good)
Eye relief: 18 mm (very good)
Weight: 23.5 oz (good)

Greg's comments: Full-sized 10x42 range. This 10x binocular has good eye relief for eyeglass wearers and is light weight for 10x binocular. Best 10x binocular under $200. Buy it as long as it is available.

---

Vanguard Spirit XF 10x42

Fully multicoated lenses. BaK-4 prisms. Phase coated. Waterproof/fog-proof. Textured rubber armor. Premium lifetime warranty.

Field of view: 332 ft @1000 yards (okay)
Close focus: 6.9 ft (good)
Exit pupil: 4.2 mm (good)
Eye relief: 16mm (okay)
Weight: 23.5 oz (good)

Greg's comments: Full-sized 10x42 range. Good close focus. The eye relief is a bit short for eyeglass wearers. Narrow field of view as expected for 10x binoculars. Does NOT have ED glass.

---

Vortex Diamondback 8x28

HD glass. Fully multicoated. Dielectric prism coatings. Waterproof/fog-proof; argon sealed. Rubber armor. Lifetime warranty.

Field of view: 332 ft @1000 yards (okay)
Close focus: 6 ft (very good)
Exit pupil: 3.5 mm (okay)
Eye relief: 18 mm (very good)
Weight: 14 oz (excellent)

Greg's comments: Compact 8x28. Narrow field of view is typical for compact binoculars. Good for eyeglass wearers. The only compact binocular under $200 that I can recommend for birding.

---

Vortex Diamondback HD 8x32

HD glass. Fully multicoated. Dielectric prism coatings. Waterproof/fog-proof; argon sealed. Rubber armor. Lifetime warranty.

Field of view: 426 ft @1000 yards (very good)
Close focus: 5 ft (excellent)
Exit pupil: 4.0 mm (good)
Eye relief: 16 mm (okay)
Weight: 15.9 oz (excellent)

Greg's comments: Mid-sized 8x32 range. Excellent wide field of view and close focus. Eye relief is a bit short but should work for many eyeglass wearers. Best mid-sized 8x32 birding binocular under $200 if you DON'T wear eyeglasses.

---

Celestron Trailseeker 8x32

Fully multicoated. BaK-4 prisms with phase correcting and dielectric coatings. Magnesium alloy body. Limited lifetime warranty.

Field of view: 409 ft @1000 yards (very good)
Close focus: 6.5 ft (good)
Exit pupil: 4.0 mm (good)
Eye relief: 15.6 mm (okay)
Weight: 16 oz (excellent)

Greg's comments: Mid-sized 8x32 under $200 range. Eye relief is short; may not be suitable for some eyeglass wearers. It's a fine binocular.

---

Opticron Discovery WP PC 8x32

Fully multicoated optics. Phase corrected prisms. Waterproof. Nitrogen sealed. ABS plastic body. Limited lifetime warranty.

Field of view: 393 ft @1000 yards (good)
Close focus: 3.9 ft (excellent)
Exit pupil: 4.0 (good)
Eye relief: 17 mm (good)
Weight: 13.8 oz (excellent)
Interpupilary distance: 52 mm minimum (suitable for ages 7 to adult)

Greg's comments: Mid-sized 8x32 range. Amazing close focus. Very light weight. Best mid-sized 8x32 birding binocular under $230 for butterflies. Only kid-friendly binoculars in this group.

---

Carson 3D 8x32

HD glass. Fully multicoated. Phase coated BaK-4 prisms. Waterproof/fog-proof; nitrogen sealed. Rubberized armor coating. No fault warranty.

Field of view: 392 ft @1000 yards (good)
Close focus: 6.6 ft (good)
Exit pupil: 4.0 mm (good)
Eye relief: 19.5 (excellent)
Weight: 19.2 oz (excellent)

Greg's comments: Mid-sized 8x32 $180-230 range. Lacks ED glass. Excellent eye relief. Best mid-sized 8x32 birding binoculars under $230 for eyeglass wearers. [Note: A new ED version available fall 2021 for about $269.]

---

Conclusion

Keeping this post up-to-date and accurate has been challenging. Models in this price range seem to become unavailable regularly.

Today there are a plethora of binoculars under $200 claiming to be "bird watching binoculars." Most will not satisfy.

Originally I listed 14 models that are suitable for birding. Of those, I found 8 to recommend. 

Unfortunately, several became unavailable, some permanently so, some are supposed to be back in stock. I have since added 2 other models to consider.

Thus, as of September 2021, there are 2 binoculars here with nearly identical specs. These are the best cheap binoculars (I should say "best budget binoculars for birding") that are suitable for bird watching out-of-doors:

• Celestron Nature DX ED 8x42
• Wingspan SkyView Ultra HD 8x42

These are my choice for the best bird watching binoculars under $200.

Read my in-depth review of the Celestron Nature DX ED 8x42 binocular.

For those who want the higher 10-power binoculars then I can only recommend the discontinued Bushnell Legend Ultra 10x42. Buy it as long as it is available. Nothing else comes close in 10x binoculars under $200.

For a compact binocular to keep in the glove compartment or for hiking, there is only one binocular in this price range that is suitable, the Vortex Diamondback 8x28. In low light conditions (dusk, woods, gloomy day) it will not be as bright and colorful as a full-sized binocular.

The mid-sized 8x32 binoculars can be nice. But every one of those under $230 has some tradeoffs. I don't recommend any 8x32 binoculars under $230. In this price range it is best to stay with full-sized 8x42 binoculars.

Please note that I didn't find any binoculars under $100 that are well-suited as birding binoculars. For the most part, you have to give up waterproofing, wide field of view, close focus, wearing eyeglasses, or forgo decent optical glass once you go under $150. 

The best birding binoculars just cost more for better quality.

This video from BBR discusses the difference between cheap binoculars and more expensive ones. You can use some of the tips discussed to see for yourself some items that indicate poor build quality.

---

If you have a budget of $250 to $500 you can get significantly better binoculars. This jump in price gets you better optical quality and better build quality. Please see the list in my article the Best Bird watching binoculars under $500.

If you wish to look at binoculars under $100, I have written an article on binoculars under $100 for backyard bird watchers. These have some trade-offs, such as poor brightness in dusky conditions, or not waterproof. But for feeder watching they may be perfect!

---

Do birds fly at night?

Many birds sleep at night, tucked away in some dense tree or bush. Likewise there are also birds that are awake and even flying around at night. There are several reasons birds fly at night. 

Birds fly at night for one or more of the following reasons:

• They are nocturnal. They sleep during the day and are active at night, or
• They are primarily diurnal but frequently forage at night, or
• They are primarily diurnal but have been disturbed from their night time roost, or
• They are primarily diurnal but carry on singing for courtship or to declare their territory at night, or
• They are primarily diurnal but migrate at night

Let's discuss this in a little more detail.

Why would a bird fly at night?

You probably know that most owls are nocturnal: sleeping during the day, active at night. 

Most. Not all. 

There are some owls that are diurnal: carrying on their lives during the daylight hours and resting at night.

Owls have excellent hearing and eyesight. 

They can locate hidden prey items by hearing them rustle in the grass. 

But don't think of owls as eating only mice, though some do. Some owls eat primarily moths and other larger insects. Some owls eat wood rats, flying squirrels, and even skunks! 

Some owls eat earthworms, fish, salamanders, frogs, snakes, and even other smaller birds.

This nocturnal Western Screech-Owl sleeps in a cedar 

during the day and flies around at night.

Photo by Greg Gillson

Owls aren't the only birds that fly at night. 

A group of birds called nightjars are nocturnal or crepuscular: most active at dawn and dusk. 

Nightjars eat moths and large insects at dusk or all through the night. They are camouflaged in mottled gray and brown plumage. They have large eyes. But like the owls, nightjars give away their presence by their voice, jarring the night with their unique calls that often serve as their names, like the Whip-poor-will.

Owls and nightjars aren't the only nocturnal birds that fly at night, though. 

There are some species of birds within other primarily diurnal groups that are nocturnal, or at least, active at night under certain circumstances. And, sometimes, normally diurnal birds fly at night.

Some birds that we think of as diurnal forage at night. They may hunt at night to avoid direct competition with other more aggressive species. Or they may find food that is unavailable during the daytime. 

For instance, at night zooplankton moves to the surface of the ocean. Lantern fishes follow. Squid follow the fish. Certain seabirds feed on these fish and squid at night.

Any bird might fly at night if its roost site is disturbed. 

An owl might fly into a tree, scattering the songbirds roosting there. A coyote may sneak up on the edge of a pond, causing nearby marsh birds to flee. These noisy fleeing birds may excite other birds until a whole flock is up and flying at night.

Sometimes courtship activities happen at night. There are some birds known for singing at night in the spring or, indeed, nearly year round. Many sing from a perch on the ground. Some birds may sing at night while flying overhead.

Many birds fly at night during their annual migration between nesting and wintering grounds. Not all birds that migrate do so at night, but many do. We'll discuss migration separately below.

What kind of birds fly at night?

Owls: We've discussed that many owls are nocturnal. You may be familiar with the Barn Owl, or hearing owls call at night, including Great Horned Owls, Eastern Screech-Owls, and Western Screech-Owls.

Nightjars: Eastern Whip-poor-wills and Common Poorwills are nocturnal. 

Common Nighthawks and Lesser Nighthawks are better though of as crepuscular, flying around at dawn and dusk rather than in full dark..

You may hear Killdeer calling and flying day or night.

Photo by Greg Gillson

Shorebirds: The unusual American Woodcock is a crepuscular species that feeds on earthworms in Eastern forests. 

You may be familiar with the Killdeer at your local wetlands or ball field or shopping mall parking lots. Many people would be surprised to learn that these birds are active day and night. 

In fact, due to the tides rising and falling based on moon position, shorebirds forage on exposed mudflats at low tide, day or night.

Black-crowned Night-Herons feed at night, rest during the day.

Photo by Greg Gillson

Herons: The Black-crowned Night-Heron and the Yellow-crowned Night-Heron are two species that fly around and hunt at night. During the day they may roost in dense tangles in small groups.

Swallows: Tree and Violet-green Swallows rise several hours before sunrise to fly around "singing" and declaring their territory in the dark.

Albatrosses and petrels: Many seabirds feed on squid and other ocean animals that rise to the surface at night.

Ducks and geese: Very active at night in late winter and early spring. May fly from one pond to another several miles away if they are disturbed at their nightly roosting pond.

Northern Mockingbirds sing through the night and through the year.

Photo by Greg Gillson

Songbirds: Some birds are well-known night singers. 

Two in North America that are most known for singing through the night are Northern Mockingbirds and Yellow-breasted Chats. 

American Robins and Hermit Thrushes are early and late singers, as well. 

It is believed that these night singers are lonely birds seeking a mate (okay, maybe I'm anthropomorphizing a little bit). 

They generally don't fly around during this singing. Rather, they tend to keep to one perch, sometimes keeping people awake who would rather be sleeping themselves.

Why do birds migrate at night?

Birds migrate between a winter home and a summer home. 

Migrating is dangerous and uses a lot of energy. So the rewards have to be higher than the risks of staying put. 

Often, birds migrate far north where there is an abundance of insect food in summer to rapidly grow and raise young. But in winter there are no insects to be found. So they may migrate back to the tropics where there are insects in winter, but more birds to compete for them.

Swallows, swifts, pelicans, loons, falcons, hawks, cranes, and hummingbirds migrate primarily during the day. Most other migrant bird species migrate at night. Why?

Migrating birds fly at various heights. Most fly between 5,000 and 20,000 feet. 

Small, slow-flying warblers, flycatchers, buntings and others would be easy prey for hawks during the daytime. So they fly under the cover of darkness. 

Flying non-stop for hours at a time is also energy-intensive and creates heat. So flying at night at higher elevations keeps birds cooler. (source)

What kind of birds migrate at night?

In the previous paragraph I listed a few birds that migrate during the day. Most other groups of birds migrate at night.

Night migrants include insect eaters such as warblers, flycatchers, vireos, tanagers.

Seed eaters migrate at night, too. These include sparrows, buntings, grosbeaks, cowbirds.

Fruit eating night-time migrants include orioles, thrushes, waxwings.

Tundra Swans migrate at night.

Photo by Greg Gillson

Ducks and geese migrate at night.

Some birds start migrating as soon as the sun sets. The peak of night time migration is midnight. Most birds keep flying until dawn, depending upon weather conditions.

Migrating birds are easily seen on doppler weather radar. If you are curious, check out the Birds over Portland website that features daily radar animated gifs of the previous night's migration in NW Oregon.

---

Many bird fly at night, for various reasons. You may hear them if you are outside at night in a quiet area. You may observe birds flying against the moon during migration. But mostly, the movement of birds at night is hidden from our view. Just know that it is happening. We have a lot to learn about the natural world.

---

Have you ever wondered? What's up with bird legs?--Do bird's knees bend backwards?

---

27 Backyard Birds to Know | Wyoming

[2022 Rewrite]

I've put this resource together for you to answer your question: What birds are in my backyard in Wyoming?

This article lists and discusses the identification of the most common birds in your backyard. The birds chosen in this article are compiled from actual data from the citizen science program eBird. Thus, it is more accurate than some other similar articles you may find on the web. I provide pictures of each bird species mentioned. I tell how to attract them to your backyard.

These are the most common backyard birds in Wyoming:

1. American Robin
2. Northern Flicker
3. Red-winged Blackbird
4. House Sparrow
5. Eurasian Collared-Dove
6. House Finch
7. European Starling
8. Black-billed Magpie
9. Dark-eyed Junco
10. American Crow
11. Western Meadowlark
12. Black-capped Chickadee
13. Yellow-rumped Warbler
14. Mourning Dove
15. Mountain Chickadee
16. American Goldfinch
17. Common Grackle
18. Pine Siskin
19. Red-breasted Nuthatch
20. Song Sparrow
21. Cliff Swallow
22. Violet-green Swallow
23. Chipping Sparrow
24. Western Wood-Pewee
25. Barn Swallow
26. Mountain Bluebird
27. Brewer's Blackbird

---

What's in this article?

• State overview of birds and bird watching in Wyoming
• Photos and identification of common backyard birds
• Most common birds by season
• Common birds of Cheyenne, Wyoming

---

Wyoming Birds and Birding in Wyoming State

eBird lists over 440 types of birds as occurring in the state of Wyoming.

The most common bird of Wyoming: the most frequently seen bird in the state is American Robin. It is reported on 37% of bird watching lists.

The official State Bird of Wyoming is Western Meadowlark.

If you are serious about knowing the birds native to Wyoming, then check out eBird for Wyoming. It has recent sightings and photos, illustrated checklists with weekly abundance bar charts for state, counties, and individual hotspots of the best birding locations.

If you want to know about other people interested in birds in your area, join a local bird group. The American Birding Association maintains a list of bird watching clubs for each state.

My other pages for birds in Wyoming:

Red, Orange, & Yellow Birds of Wyoming

---

Wyoming Bird Identification (Pictures of backyard birds of Wyoming)

This section is the species accounts. These are designed to help you to recognize birds you see in your backyard. I have used eBird to select the birds that are most common. “Common” means the birds seen most often throughout the year, not necessarily the most numerous.

Each species account starts with an image. I have tried to use my own personal photographs of each species, if I have them. But I've done my bird photography mostly in the West. Thus, I've had to rely on others for pictures of some common Eastern birds. I always make sure the bird images (mine and others) are correctly identified.

In the identification section I am using size and shape and bill type before considering the color or patterns on the birds. I find these more reliable when trying to identify an unknown bird. Pay attention to body and tail shape and especially bill shape of birds you see, not just plumage color.

I have written an article on how to identify birds, it is slightly different from other popular identification methods. Check it out if you wish: 7 Steps to Identify Birds.

In the section on bird feeders and foods I tell how to attract each species. Not all types of backyard birds will come to feeders. But all backyard birds can be attracted with water. So don't forget to add a birdbath to your bird feeding station.

Do you live in southern Wyoming? Northern Wyoming? Eastern Wyoming? Western Wyoming? To appear in this article, most birds are widely distributed throughout the state and are often year-round residents. However, for those birds that are more localized in place or time, I list the general region and seasonality. Please see the section following these species accounts for the lists of common species by season.

Even if a species is found in a general area, they occur only in the habitat they prefer. So, the exact habitat of your neighborhood is important for the presence of absence of certain kinds of birds.

1. American Robin

Turdus migratorius

This familiar bird is a resident in the northern half of the United States and a winter visitor in the southern half.

American Robin. Greg Gillson

Range in Wyoming: American Robins are year-round residents throughout Wyoming.

Identification: This is a key species for comparing with an unknown bird. 

Size: 10 inches long from bill tip to tail tip. About the same size as a Blue Jay or one of the Scrub-Jays. Larger than Red-winged Blackbird. Smaller than a Mourning Dove. 

Shape: Very plump with a fairly long tail. 

Bill: Straight and fairly slender, curved at the tip. 

Color: Gray-brown upperparts, rusty orange breast.

Habitat, range & behavior: Open woodlands, farmlands, urban parks and lawns. 

Migratory, breeds north across Alaska and Canada. Resident in most of the United States (lower 48). Winters in the United States, Mexico, to central America. 

Hops on your lawn turning head this way and that looking for food. Their caroling song is one of the early signs of spring in the north.

Food and feeder preference: Worms and other invertebrates in the lawn. May eat fruit from a tray feeder or the ground. Eat small berries from trees and bushes.

2. Northern Flicker

Colaptes auratus

Of all the bird identification questions I get asked, this common larger backyard bird is the bird most people ask about. It doesn't occur to those unfamiliar with it that this could be a woodpecker.

Northern Flicker. Greg Gillson

Range in Wyoming: Northern Flickers are year-round residents throughout Wyoming.

Identification: 

Size: About the size of a Mourning Dove. Larger than a robin. 

Shape: Stocky with short legs, short tail, big head. 

Bill: As long as head, thin, slightly curved. 

Color: Back is brown with black bars. Under parts pinkish with black spots. Undersides of black wing and tail feathers are bright salmon red (West) or yellow (East). Head gray (West) or brown (East) and males with red (West) or black (East) whisker marks and nape marks (East). Black crescent across chest. White rump seen in flight.

Habitat, range & behavior: Found in woodland edges and forests. 

Year-round resident from extreme southern Canada, across all of the lower-48 states and in the mountains of Mexico and Middle America. In summer breeds northward well into Canada and Alaska. 

Frequently noted hopping on ground pecking in the ground for insects. In late spring, males proclaim their territory by rapid pounding on a hollow tree branch, though the ringing of metal downspouts at dawn is louder and carries much farther, to the exasperation of anyone trying to sleep inside!

Food and feeder preference: Ants and beetles are their primary foods. Will eat black oil sunflower seeds and are attracted to suet.

3. Red-winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

These noisy flocking birds are most often found in marshes. But in winter they are found in backyards.

Male Red-winged Blackbird. Greg Gillson.

Female Red-winged Blackbird. Greg Gillson.

Range in Wyoming: Red-winged Blackbirds are year-round residents throughout Wyoming.

Identification: This is a key species for comparing with an unknown bird.

Size: About 8-3/4 inches long from bill tip to tail tip. About the size of a Northern Cardinal. Smaller than an American Robin.

Shape: Pot-bellied with a longer bill and flat forehead. Tail average.

Bill: Long and sharp pointed.

Color: Males are black with red and yellow shoulder patch. Females are streaked brown and rusty (sparrow-like but pointed bill and flat forehead).

Habitat, range, and behavior: Cattail marshes and wetlands are their summer habitat. In winter they feed in grain fields.

They breed across most of the North American continent. In winter they withdraw from most of Alaska and Canada.

They are found in colonies in summer and large flocks in winter.

Food and feeder preference: They eat insects in summer. In winter they eat grain and seeds. They visit feeders, more often in large winter flocks, and eat most seeds and suet.

4. House Sparrow

Passer domesticus

Like the starling, this is another bird introduced from Europe in the 1800's. This sparrow is commonly found in cities and farmlands. It is considered a pest in most areas where it has been introduced.

House Sparrow. Greg Gillson

Range in Wyoming: House Sparrows are year-round residents throughout Wyoming.

Identification: 

Size: The size of a House Finch or Dark-eyed Junco. 

Shape: Chunkier than native North American sparrows with large head, barrel chest, short neck, medium tail, short legs. 

Bill: Short, conical. 

Color: Males are brown and gray with a black mask. Females lack the black and are tan and brown with a pale line back from the eye.

Habitat, range & behavior: Cities and farms. 

Range in North American from southern Canada through Central America. In summer northward through Canada to southern Alaska. Originated in Middle East and spread to most of Europe and Asia. Introduced in South America, Africa, Australia--nearly anywhere there are people and cities. 

They tend to be messy... and have a good appetite, and may occur in large noisy chirping flocks. They are aggressive toward other feeder birds.

Food and feeder preference: They eat grain, seed, and insects. To discourage them from your hopper and tray feeders do not feed birds human food scraps. They have a bit of difficulty eating from tube feeders.

5. Eurasian Collared-Dove

Streptopelia decaocto

Eurasian Collared-Doves are a rather new addition to the North American avifauna. The spread from introductions in the Bahamas to Florida in the 1980's and continue to spread across the continent in a general northwestern direction. They build up a large local population over a couple of years then fly hundreds of miles to set up new outposts, gradually backfilling.

Eurasian Collared-Dove. Greg Gillson

Range in Wyoming: Eurasian Collared-Doves are year-round residents throughout Wyoming.

Identification: 

Size: Larger than Mourning Doves. 

Shape: Stocky dove with a full square tail. Bill: Small and rather slender. 

Color: Cream colored with darker primaries. The underside of the base of the tail is blackish with a wide whitish tip. It has a black collar on the hind-neck.

Habitat, range & behavior: Found in residential neighborhoods and farmlands. 

Native to Eurasia. In North America has expanded explosively in past 3 decades. Florida to northern Mexico and north to southern Canada. Not yet common in the Northeastern United States. 

Found on city power lines, poles, adjacent conifers. Social. Noisy, making "coo-coo cook" song and grating rasping call "ghaaaaa."

Food and feeder preference: They eat primarily seeds and grains. Since they are so large they prefer to eat on large platform feeders or on the ground under feeders.

6. House Finch

Haemorhous mexicanus

These are one of the most common backyard birds in the United States. There are other red finches, but these are the ones most likely in residential areas.

House Finch. Greg Gillson.

Range in Wyoming: House Finches are year-round residents in eastern and southern Wyoming, absent elsewhere.

Identification: This is a key species for comparing with an unknown bird. 

Size: About 6 inches from bill tip to tail tip. Larger than goldfinches and chickadees. Smaller than a White-crowned Sparrows or Spotted/Eastern towhees. 

Shape: Medium build with a medium-long notched tail. Round head. 

Bill: Short, conical. 

Color: Brown and gray above with streaks on the sides of the pale underparts. Males with red (sometimes orange or rarely yellow) crown, chest, rump.

Habitat, range & behavior: You'll find small flocks on wires, in short tree tops and in bushes. Originally deserts and grasslands. Rural areas and towns are where they're now most common. 

Formerly found in the western United States and Mexico. Then introduced into the northeastern United States, but now found in nearly all of the lower-48 states and extreme southern Canada. Rare in plains states (Dakotas to Texas) and southern Florida. 

House Finches are not territorial, but males sing throughout the year--a lively, wiry song ending in a couple of buzzy notes.

Food and feeder preference: House Finches love sunflower seeds and tube feeders. May eat from thistle socks.

You may like my in-depth article on attracting House Finches.

7. European Starling

Sturnus vulgaris

Introduced to North America in the late 1800's, they crossed the continent, often to the detriment of native cavity-nesting birds. The prime example of an invasive species.

European Starling. Greg Gillson.

Range in Wyoming: European Starlings are year-round residents throughout Wyoming.

Identification: 

Size: About the size of a Red-winged Blackbird. Smaller than an American Robin. Larger than a White-crowned Sparrow or Spotted/Eastern towhee. 

Shape: Stocky with large head, short square-ended tail. Longer legs. 

Bill: As long as head. Sharp pointed. Yellow in spring, otherwise dark. 

Color: They are grayish brown much of the year, with glossy iridescence and white spotting during the spring.

Habitat, range & behavior: Lowland birds that need trees large enough for nest cavities but plenty of open area for feeding. They are most abundant in urban and suburban areas where they find food and artificial nest cavities. 

Resident from coast-to-coast from southern Canada to northern Mexico. In summer north across Canada and Alaska. Native range is Europe to Pakistan, north Africa. 

Often viewed as a pest, starlings often bully other backyard birds, taking over bird feeders, and stealing nest cavities from smaller native birds. 

In winter they can form into flocks of ten's of thousands.

Food and feeder preference: European Starlings eat primarily insects when available, often feeding on the ground. Discourage them from your backyard hopper and tray feeders by never feeding birds table scraps (including bread or meat). They have weak feet and do not perch well on tube feeders. A cage mesh around smaller hopper feeders may keep them out.

8. Black-billed Magpie

Pica hudsonia

This large flashy bird with a long tail is a ranchland bird in the West. The only similar bird in North America is the Yellow-billed Magpie of the Central Valley of California.

Black-billed Magpie. Greg Gillson.

Range in Wyoming: Black-billed Magpies are year-round residents in Wyoming.

Identification: 

Size: About the size of an American Crow, but with a longer tail. 

Shape: Thick neck, large head, strong legs. A very long pointed tail; the distance from the base of the tail to the tip of the tail is nearly as long as from the base of the tail to the tip of the bill. Wings are broad and rounded at the tips. 

Bill: Stout, nearly as long as head. 

Color: Black head, breast, back. White shoulders and belly. Wings black above with bluish or greenish sheen; most of the primaries are white. Tails is blackish with an iridescent blue-green sheen.

Habitat, range & behavior: Magpies are found in dry open country, ranches, farms, scattered open pine lands and riparian thickets. 

They are residents from southern Alaska to the Great Basin and Great Plains to the Dakotas and south to New Mexico. 

Fly with slow wing beats and deep wing strokes displaying large white wing patches. Social. Perch on fence posts. Forage on ground. Calls are noisy, raspy, querulous "yak?"

Food and feeder preference: Omnivore as crows, eating carrion, berries, seeds, nuts, human garbage, pet food. Birders generally don't want this species at their bird feeders. Locals often view these birds as pests.

9. Dark-eyed Junco

Junco hyemalis

Colloquially called "snowbirds," they often arrive in backyards in winter from nearby mountain forests or more northern climes.

Dark-eyed Junco. Photo by Greg Gillson.

Range in Wyoming: Dark-eyed Juncos are year-round residents throughout most of Wyoming, winter visitors only in southeastern Wyoming.

Identification: 

Size: Small birds about the size of a House Finch. 

Shape: Round body, short neck, round head, fairly long square-ended tail. 

Bill: Short, pointed, conical, pink. 

Color: Eastern birds are a darker all-gray with white belly. Western birds (those breeding in California and pictured above) have jet black hood over head, brown back, white belly and pink sides. Females paler.

Habitat, range & behavior: Breed in coniferous forests. Winters widely. Avoids heavy brush, preferring widely spaced bushes. 

Breeds across most of Canada, Alaska, and the western half of the United States. Winters from southern Canada and all of the lower 48-states to extreme northern Mexico. 

Spend much of their time hopping and feeding on the ground.

Food and feeder preference: Dark-eyed Juncos eat mostly seeds, also insects in summer. Readily feed at backyard feeders on mixed seeds on hopper or tray feeders and ground.

You may like my in-depth article on attracting Dark-eyed Juncos.

10. American Crow

Corvus brachyrhynchos

This larger all-black bird is common in cities and country. Its cawing call is familiar to most people.

American Crow. Greg Gillson

Range in Wyoming: American Crows are year-round residents throughout Wyoming.

Identification: This is a key species for comparing with an unknown bird. 

Size: About 17-1/2 inches long from bill tip to tail tip, though there is much size variation throughout its range. Larger than blackbirds and grackles. Smaller than ravens. 

Shape: Thick neck, large head, rather short square-ended tail. Longer legs. In flight has rounded wing tips with each primary feather separated from others forming "fingers." 

Bill: As long as head, thick, black. 

Color: Glossy black throughout.

Habitat, range & behavior: They prefer open areas with trees, fields, farms, cities. 

They are common across most of the United States lower-48, except in the desert southwest. They move into southern Canada in summer. 

They gather in evening communal roosts in large flocks that may number into the thousands and then move out at dawn into the surrounding area.

Food and feeder preference: Omnivorous, they feed on large insects, grain, small mammals, carrion. You probably don't want these large entirely black birds in your backyard feeders. So don't feed table scraps to birds.

11. Western Meadowlark

Sturnella neglecta

These are beautiful songsters of the prairie grasslands.

Western Meadowlark. Greg Gillson.

Range in Wyoming: Western Meadowlarks are summer residents throughout Wyoming, year-round residents in southeastern Wyoming.

Identification:

Size: Bigger than a European Starling, smaller than an American Robin.

Shape: Stocky and pot-bellied, with short tail and flat forehead profile.

Bill: Long, straight, and sharp pointed.

Color: Straw and brown-colored upper parts. Bright yellow below with black necklace. White outer tail feathers. Duller in winter.

Habitat, range, & behavior: Fields, pastures, prairies.

The summer across the West from the Great Lakes to the Pacific, and western Canada to western Texas, and into Mexico. Move out of Canada in winter and spread to Gulf Coast.

Forage on fields and bare grounds, often found with cattle. In flocks in winter.

Foods and feeder preference: Grain and insects. They do not come to feeders.

12. Black-capped Chickadee

Poecile atricapillus

This is a common backyard bird in the northern half of the United States.

Black-capped Chickadee. Greg Gillson

Range in Wyoming: Black-capped Chickadees are year-round residents throughout Wyoming.

Identification: 

Size: Chickadees are small birds, the same general size as an American Goldfinch. 

Shape: Round body, big round head, long tail with rounded tip. 

Bill: Short, straight, stout. 

Color: Gray above, buffy below. Black cap and bib with white lower face. White edges on wing feathers.

Habitat, range & behavior: Deciduous and mixed forests. 

They range from the northern half of the United States, southern half of Canada, and most of Alaska. 

Small flocks flit actively from tree to tree acrobatically gleaning insects from twig tips. In winter chickadees make up the core of mixed-species flocks also containing nuthatches, kinglets, creepers, woodpeckers and others.

Food and feeder preference: Seeds, insects, berries. They eat at tube, hopper and tray feeders. They love black oil sunflower seeds and suet.

You may like my in-depth article on attracting Black-capped Chickadees.

13. Yellow-rumped Warbler

Setophaga coronata

An abundant winter visitor in California to tree tops and weedy areas.

Yellow-rumped Warbler. Greg Gillson.

Range in Wyoming: Yellow-rumped Warblers are summer residents throughout most of Wyoming, spring and fall migrants only in eastern Wyoming.

Identification: 

Size: Small, they are a bit larger than chickadees and goldfinches. They are smaller than House Finches and juncos. 

Shape: Plump and neckless with a shorter tail. 

Bill: Short, slender, straight, pointed. 

Color: Breeding plumage in spring is blue-gray on the upper parts, black sides and chest, yellow rump, yellow on sides. Two forms: western form with yellow throat and large white wing patch; eastern and northern form with white throat and two white wing bars. In winter plumage both forms are gray brown above, pale cream below. Yellow rump and white tail corners in flight.

Habitat, range & behavior: In breeding season mostly in coniferous or mixed forests, in mountains in west. In winter open areas with fruiting shrubs and scattered trees. 

Breed across Canada and Alaska and in conifer forests in the west. Winter along both coasts and the southern states through Middle America. There are also non-migratory forms in Mexico and Guatemala. 

They tend to forage in outer branches about half way up the tree.

Food and feeder preference: Yellow-rumped Warblers eat mainly insects in the summer. They switch to waxy berries and fruit in winter. They are thus able to winter farther north than other warblers. They are attracted to suet feeders.

14. Mourning Dove

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Doves are the most widespread and most frequent backyard bird in the Lower 48 states of the United States.

Mourning Dove. Greg Gillson.

Range in Wyoming: Mourning Doves are year-round residents throughout most of Wyoming, summer residents only in northern Wyoming.

Identification: This is a key species for comparing with an unknown bird. 

Size: About 12 inches long from bill tip to tail tip. About same size as Northern Flicker. Larger than American Robin. Slightly smaller than domestic city pigeon. 

Shape: Very plump with a small round head. Tail is long and pointed. Legs are short. 

Bill: Small and rather slender. 

Color: Pale brown-pink body, darker wings and tail. White edges on side of tail.

Habitat, range & behavior: Semi-open areas such as urban areas, farmlands, woods. Often seen perched on wires, fences. 

It is a resident across the lower-48 states and Mexico, with some movement out of northern areas in winter. 

Their mournful cooing is a familiar spring birdsong.

Food and feeder preference: Mourning Doves eat seeds almost exclusively. Attract with black oil sunflower seeds on a large sturdy tray feeder or on the ground.

15. Mountain Chickadee

Poecile gambelli

These chickadees are found in mountain forests of the West.

Mountain Chickadee. Greg Gillson.

Range in Wyoming: Mountain Chickadees are year-round residents in western Wyoming and scattered mountains throughout.

Identification:

Size: Small birds, smaller than finches and sparrows.

Shape: Round fluffy body. Large round head. Long penduline tail. Strong legs and feet.

Bill: Short and stout.

Color: Gray with black crown and throat. White eyebrow line.

Habitat, range, & behavior: Found in mountain pine forests.

Western Canada and the United States in pine forests at high elevations.

Feed in small straggling flocks. Acrobatically hang from tips of twigs to feed.

Food and feeder preference: Beetles and other insects, seeds. Readily come to hopper feeders for black oil sunflower seeds.

16. American Goldfinch

Spinus tristis

A beautiful tiny finch familiar to many in its bright yellow summer plumage. Colloquially called a "wild canary."

American Goldfinch. Greg Gillson

Range in Wyoming: American Goldfinches are year-round residents in most of Wyoming, summer residents only in eastern Wyoming.

Identification: This is a key species for comparing with an unknown bird. 

Size: Very small at about 5 inches from bill tip to tail tip. Similar in size to a chickadee. Larger than hummingbirds. Smaller than juncos and House Finches. 

Shape: Tiny, somewhat plump with larger head and short tail. 

Bill: Short, conical, pink. 

Color: Males in summer are bright lemon yellow with black forehead and black wings and tail with white bars. White under tail coverts. Females dull olive, wings and tail browner. Winter birds are pale grayish-yellow with tan and brown wings and tail.

Habitat, range & behavior: This species is found in weedy fields and similar clearings with thistles and similar plants. 

It is found coast-to-coast throughout the year across most of the middle lower-48 states. In summer moves north to the Canada border. In the winter found south to the Mexico border. 

The flight is highly undulating, rising and falling as they flap in short bursts. 

Besides a long, sweet lilting song, they call in flight a lilting 4-part: "potato chip!"

Food and feeder preference: Feeds on weed seeds, thistle seed. May eat black oil sunflower seeds from tube feeder. Love Nyjer seed in a feeder called a "thistle sock."

You may like my in-depth article on attracting American Goldfinches.

17. Common Grackle

Quiscalus quiscula

Sometimes considered a pest to crops, grackles are longer and lankier than very similar blackbirds.

Common Grackle. GeorgiaLens from Pixabay

Range in Wyoming: Common Grackles are summer residents throughout Wyoming.

Identification: 

Size: Larger than Red-winged Blackbirds, they are near the length of Mourning Doves. 

Shape: Long, with long full keel-shaped tail, long legs, flat crown. 

Bill: Longer than head, pointed, but stouter than other blackbirds. 

Color: Glossy black with hint of bronze or green on head (depending upon population). Yellow eye.

Habitat, range & behavior: They are found in agricultural areas, woodland edges, city parks and lawns. 

Resident in the southeastern United States. In summer they migrate northward and west to the central United States and Canada. 

They monopolize feeders and are bullies toward other birds.

Food and feeder preference: Grain, corn, acorns, small aquatic fish and amphibians. To discourage them, use tube feeders, rather than hopper or tray feeders. Don't over-feed, keep spilled seed picked up.

18. Pine Siskin

Spinus pinus

These are streaky goldfinch-like birds. Often found in flocks. Irregularly, following a poor cone crop in the north, they move far south in winter, showing up well south of their usual winter range.

Pine Siskin. Greg Gillson

Range in Wyoming: Pine Siskins are winter visitors throughout Wyoming, year-round residents in northwestern and southeastern Wyoming.

Identification:

Size: Tiny bird, the size of American Goldfinch. Smaller than other finches and sparrows.

Shape: Small round head. Short forked tail.

Bill: Short. Wide at the base, straight and sharply pointed.

Color: Heavily streaked with brown. Wing bars. Patches of yellow in wing and base of tail. Much individual variation from dull brown to brighter yellow.

Habitat, range, & behavior: Montane forests, conifer, birch, alder. Lowlands in winter.

Summers across Canada and the West into Mexico. Also breed from Midwest to Northeast states bordering Canada. Winters from southern Canada and throughout the United States, but varying in numbers from year-to-year in southern portions.

Feed in tree tops, often in large swirling flocks.

Food and feeder preference: Eat cone seeds. Love black oil sunflower seeds from tube feeder. Love Niger seed at thistle feeders.

19. Red-breasted Nuthatch

Sitta canadensis

These small birds are common in conifer groves and mountain forests.

Red-breasted Nuthatch. Greg Gillson.

Range in Wyoming: Red-breasted Nuthatches are year-round residents throughout Wyoming.

Identification:

Size: Smaller than Black-capped Chickadees and American Goldfinches, larger than kinglets.

Shape: Compact body with large head on short neck. Stubby tail.

Bill: Fairly long and sharp-pointed.

Color: Dark blue-gray back and upper parts. Black crown and line through eye, showing long white eyebrow. White face and rusty underparts. Females paler.

Habitat, range & behavior: Conifer trees in forests and residential areas.

Found from Alaska and across Canada, mountains of Northeast and much of the West. Winter visitor south throughout most of the United States.

Crawls actively on bark on tree trunks and around smaller branches, often head-first down the tree.

Food and feeder preference: Eat insects and invertebrates. Cache nuts and seeds in fall to eat later in the winter. At feeders eat sunflower seeds, peanuts, other nuts from hopper and tube feeders, and suet.

20. Song Sparrow

Melospiza melodia

A common bird, but variable, and similar to many other streaked brown sparrows.

Song Sparrow. Greg Gillson.

Range in Wyoming: Song Sparrows are year-round residents throughout Wyoming.

Identification: 

Size: A smaller bird, similar in size to House Finch and juncos. Larger than chickadees and goldfinches. Smaller than White-crowned Sparrows or Spotted/Eastern towhees. 

Shape: Plump with round head, long rounded tail. 

Bill: Short, conical. 

Color: Highly variable in darkness and color saturation across its range (dark rusty to pale gray). Generally gray-brown above with dark brown streaking on back. Complicated head pattern. Streaking on sides and breast converge into dense central breast spot.

Habitat, range & behavior: Thickets, especially near water. Backyard shrubbery. 

Resident in western United States, western Canada, coastal southern Alaska, northeastern US. In summer also moves into mid-Canada and northern half of US. In the winter found in most of the US lower-48. Also a population in central Mexico.

Forages on ground, never far from low cover to which they fly if startled.

Food and feeder preference: Song Sparrows feed on seeds and insects near the ground. Will visit hopper and tray feeders for mixed bird seed.

21. Cliff Swallow

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

These colonial-nesting birds build gourd-shaped mud nests on cliffs, under the eaves of barns, and under highway overpasses. You will most often notice them in flight.

Cliff Swallow. Greg Gillson.

Range in Wyoming: Cliff Swallows are summer residents throughout Wyoming.

Identification:

Size: Small birds, smaller than House Finches, larger than American Goldfinches.

Shape: In flight note round head, short square tail, pointed wings.

Bill: Short, wide.

Color: Dark blue back with pale stripes, dark wings and tail. Pale under parts. Large buff rump patch. Crown dark blue. Throat dark rusty. White forehead.

Habitat, range, and behavior: Fly over open country, canyons, farmlands.

In summer they occur nearly everywhere from Alaska and Canada southward through Mexico. Leave entire region in winter.

Fly high chasing bugs, skimming over ponds, trapping them against cliffs. In spring you may note them at mud puddles scooping up bills full of mud to build their nests. In fall migration more likely to be noted on roadside wires.

Food and feeder preference: Feed on flying insects. Do not occur at feeder.

22. Violet-green Swallow

Tachycineta thalassina

Violet-green Swallow. Greg Gillson.

Range in Wyoming: Violet-green Swallows are summer residents throughout most of Wyoming, absent in northeastern Wyoming.

Identification:

Size: About the size of American Goldfinches, but with longer wings.

Shape: Round head, thicker chest and long thin body. Very short tail. Long pointed wings.

Bill: Very short and wide.

Color: Lime green upper back, violet lower back. White sides to rump. Black wings and tail. White underparts and face that nearly encircles eyes.

Habitat, range & behavior: Open skies above forests and residential areas.

Summers from Alaska, western Canada, and the western US and Mexico. Winters in southern Mexico.

Food and feeder preference: Flying insects caught on the wing. Do not come to bird feeders, but will use bird houses.

23. Chipping Sparrow

Spizella passerina

Chipping Sparrows are a widespread species adapted to human disturbance. They are rather tame. They are frequently found in cemeteries with large trees.

Chipping Sparrow. Greg Gillson.

Range in Wyoming: Chipping Sparrows are summer residents throughout Wyoming.

Identification: 

Size: These are small sparrows, bigger than goldfinches or chickadees, but smaller than House Finches or Song Sparrows. 

Shape: Plump and fairly long-tailed. 

Bill: Short and conical. 

Color: Striped brown and dark brown above. Grayish under parts. Black line through eye. Crown streaked in winter but in summer becomes solid chestnut. Two white wing bars. 

Habitat, range & behavior: Grassy open conifer woodlands with some shrubs, parks, orchards. 

Breeds from Alaska, across Canada and south into highlands of Middle America. In winter retreats from northern areas to southern United States and northern Mexico. 

In summer solitary or in pairs. In winter they forage in flocks of up to 50 birds. 

Food and feeder preference: Weed seeds, supplemented with insects in summer. They may eat black oil sunflower seeds in your feeder, but more likely will feed on mixed seeds on the ground under the feeder.

24. Western Wood-Pewee

Contopus sordidulus

These birds sing their burry pee-wee, pee-year song into summer and throughout the day.

Western Wood-Pewee. Greg Gillson.

Range in Wyoming: Western Wood-Pewees are summer residents throughout Wyoming.

Identification:

Size: Just slightly bigger than a House Finch.

Shape: Large head and big chest, long wings and tail. Upright posture.

Bill: Medium length compared to head, but wide at base and flat. Mostly dark, with a touch of yellow-orange at base of lower mandible.

Color: A dull gray-green-brown. Two broad pale wing bars. Under parts pale with grayish sides, often show yellow on the belly when in shade. 

Habitat, range & behavior: A bird of open woodlands.

Summer resident from Alaska, western Canada, western United States and into Mexico. Winters in South America.

These larger flycatchers sit motionless on tip of dead branch, then fly out to snap up a flying insect, then return to their original perch again.

Food and feeder preference: Feed on flying insects. Do not come to feeders.

25. Barn Swallow

Hirundo rustica

These swallows are widely distributed throughout the world, primarily breeding in the northern hemisphere, and wintering in the mid-latitudes and southern hemisphere.

Barn Swallow. Greg Gillson.

Range in Wyoming: Barn Swallows are summer residents throughout Wyoming.

Identification: 

Size: About the size of a House Finch but with a much longer tail. 

Shape: Stocky, short necked but with long body and tail. Tail is forked, with very long outer tail feathers. Wings pointed. 

Bill: Short, wide. 

Color: Glossy dark purplish-blue above. Pinkish-orange below. 

Habitat, range & behavior: Barn Swallows live in open country, frequently near humans. Farmlands. Nest in barns, under small bridges. 

In North America breed from Mexico to northern Canada and Alaska, wintering from southern Mexico throughout most of South America. 

Frequently seen swooping low over the ground hunting flying insects. Perch on wires, fences. Voice is twitters and chirps with grating sounds. 

Food and feeder preference: Eat flying insects on the wing and are not attracted to backyard feeders.

26. Mountain Bluebird

Sialia currucoides

These beautiful bluebirds are found in the West at higher elevations than Western Bluebirds.

Mountain Bluebird. Greg Gillson.

Range in Wyoming: Mountain Bluebirds are summer residents throughout Wyoming.

Identification:

Size: Bigger than a junco or house finch, much smaller than a robin. Tiny compared to any jay.

Shape: Plump, short neck. Big head. Tail rather short.

Bill: Stout. Medium length compared of rest of head. Slightly curved on top.

Color: Males are sky blue, paler below. Females are pale gray with bluish highlights in wing and tail.

Habitat, range, & behavior: Found in mountain meadows and forest burns or other openings. In winter descend to short grass meadows, pastures.

Found in juniper and pine forests surrounding Great Basin Desert, north to Yukon. Year-round resident from eastern Oregon to northern New Mexico. Winters south of Canada to central Mexico.

Look for these birds on fence lines in pastures in winter. Fluttering down to ground for insects.

Food and feeder preference: Insects. Do not readily come to feeders, but do want bird boxes in their breeding range.

27. Brewer's Blackbird

Euphagus cyanocephalus

This blackbird is common in the West.

Brewer's Blackbird. Greg Gillson.

Range in Wyoming: Brewer's Blackbirds are summer residents throughout Wyoming, year-round residents in western Wyoming.

Identification: 

Size: The size of a Red-winged Blackbird. Larger than a White-crowned Sparrow. Smaller than an American Robin.

Shape: Well proportioned. Somewhat pot bellied. Long tail. Flatter forehead profile.

Bill: As long as head. Sharp pointed. Straight. Thick base.

Color: Males are shiny black, glossed with purple on head. Yellow eye. Females are dull gray with brown eyes.

Habitat, range, and behavior: They like open country, open woods, shores, towns, powerlines.

Resident in the West, also in Great Plains from Great Lakes westward in northern United States and southern Canada. In winter withdraw from Great Plains and winter across the southern United States from Florida to most of Mexico.

Form large flocks in winter. Often found in parking lots near fast food restaurants.

Food and feeder preference: Eat seeds, grain, and insects. Will come to platform feeders or feed on the ground for seeds, suet.

---

Common Birds in Wyoming (Lists of most common feeder birds and most common backyard birds by season)

To determine how common each species is I used the data from actual bird sightings from the citizen science program eBird. Birds are listed by frequency. That is, how often the species is recorded on checklists submitted to eBird (a percentage).

When choosing the birds to include in this article I leaned strongly to birds that are present throughout the year in good numbers. Thus, many of the common birds are year-round residents. This means that they live in the same location all year. They raise their young in your neighborhood. They don't migrate. Or if the species does migrate, the ones living in your area don't. If this is the case, some migrants may move into your area during certain times of year, adding to the same species that are in your yard full time.

Some migrant birds visit your yard during the “summer.” Often they arrive in spring and remain until late fall. They nest and raise their young in your neighborhood. These are the summer residents.

Other migrant birds visit your backyard during the “winter.” Some of these winter visitors may arrive in July and remain into April. Others may only be found in the cold of December or January. They key here is that they nest and raise their young somewhere else. They only visit your yard in the non-breeding season.

Migration is an amazing spectacle. There will be birds that fly through your region in spring or fall (or both). They may visit your backyard only a few days or weeks a year. They aren't regular enough, or stay long enough, to be included in this article. But the number of briefly visiting migrant birds could double the number of species presented here. You may see them over time. Consult checklists in eBird for your county to see what is possible.

I have generally excluded common waterfowl, birds of prey, shorebirds, seabirds, and others that aren't usually found in residential areas. But they may certainly fly over, or be seen regularly if your home is on a shoreline, for instance.

Most common backyard birds in Wyoming throughout the year

The following list is the backyard birds that are, on average, most common throughout the entire year. The list is ordered by most common based on the frequency of how often each species is recorded on checklists submitted to eBird.

The most common backyard birds throughout the year in the state of Wyoming, in order, are these:

1. American Robin (37% frequency)
2. Northern Flicker (22%)
3. Red-winged Blackbird (21%)
4. House Sparrow (21%)
5. Eurasian Collared-Dove (21%)
6. House Finch (20%)
7. European Starling (20%)
8. Black-billed Magpie (19%)
9. Dark-eyed Junco (17%)
10. American Crow (16%)
11. Western Meadowlark (15%)
12. Black-capped Chickadee (14%)
13. Yellow-rumped Warbler (13%)
14. Mourning Dove (13%)
15. Mountain Chickadee (12%)
16. American Goldfinch (12%)
17. Common Grackle (11%)
18. Pine Siskin (11%)
19. Red-breasted Nuthatch (10%)
20. Song Sparrow (10%)

Most common backyard birds in Wyoming in winter

The following list is the backyard birds that are most common in winter. The list is ordered by most common based on the frequency of how often each species is recorded on checklists submitted to eBird.

The most common backyard birds in Wyoming in winter (December through February) are these:

1. House Sparrow (31% frequency)
2. Eurasian Collared-Dove (31%)
3. House Finch (29%)
4. Black-billed Magpie (27%)
5. Black-capped Chickadee (24%)
6. Dark-eyed Junco (22%)
7. American Crow (21%)
8. Northern Flicker (21%)
9. European Starling (21%)
10. Mountain Chickadee (14%)
11. Red-breasted Nuthatch (12%)

Most common backyard birds in Wyoming in summer

The following list is the backyard birds that are most common in summer (June and July). The list is ordered by most common based on the frequency of how often each species is recorded on checklists submitted to eBird.

The most common backyard birds in Wyoming in summer (June and July) are these:

1. American Robin (49% frequency)
2. Red-winged Blackbird (24%)
3. Northern Flicker (21%)
4. Western Meadowlark (19%)
5. Mourning Dove (19%)
6. Cliff Swallow (18%)
7. Violet-green Swallow (16%)
8. Chipping Sparrow (16%)
9. Pine Siskin (16%)
10. Yellow-rumped Warbler (15%)
11. Common Grackle (15%)
12. Western Wood-Pewee (15%)
13. Black-billed Magpie (15%)
14. Barn Swallow (14%)
15. Mountain Bluebird (14%)
16. Brewer's Blackbird (14%)
17. House Sparrow (14%)

House Sparrows, Eurasian Collared-Doves, House Finches, Black-billed Magpies, Black-capped Chickadees are more common in winter than in summer in Wyoming.

American Robins, Red-winged Blackbirds, Cliff Swallows, Violet-green Swallows, Chipping Sparrows, Western Wood-Pewees, Barn Swallows are more common in summer than in winter in Wyoming.

---

Common Backyard Birds of Cheyenne, Wyoming

House Finch. Greg Gillson

The following list uses eBird data to create a list of common backyard birds in Cheyenne. The city of Cheyenne is in Laramie County. I will use the data for Laramie County to represent the birds of the Cheyenne area.

Birds in Laramie are similar to those in Cheyenne.

Here are the most common backyard birds throughout the year in Cheyenne:

1. Eurasian Collared-Dove (43% frequency)
2. House Finch (39%)
3. American Robin (38%)
4. House Sparrow (38%)
5. American Crow (31%)
6. Red-winged Blackbird (25%)
7. Northern Flicker (25%)
8. Mourning Dove (25%)
9. European Starling (23%)
10. Common Grackle (21%)
11. Dark-eyed Junco (20%)
12. Western Meadowlark (20%)
13. American Goldfinch (17%)
14. Red-breasted Nuthatch (16%)

Eurasian Collared-Doves, House Finches, House Sparrows, American Crows, Mourning Doves, Common Grackles are more common in Cheyenne than the state average for Wyoming.

---

Common Backyard Birds of Jackson, Wyoming

The following list uses eBird data to create a list of common backyard birds in Jackson. The city of Jackson is in Teton County. I will use the data for Teton County to represent the birds of the Jackson area.

Here are the most common backyard birds throughout the year in Jackson:

1. American Robin (41% frequency)
2. Yellow-rumped Warbler (24%)
3. Black-billed Magpie (23%)
4. Dark-eyed Junco (22%)
5. Mountain Chickadee (22%)
6. Northern Flicker (20%)
7. Chipping Sparrow (19%)
8. Pine Siskin (17%)
9. Black-capped Chickadee (17%)
10. Mountain Bluebird (17%)
11. Ruby-crowned Kinglet (16%)  Learn about this species on eBird
12. White-crowned Sparrow (15%)  Learn about this species on eBird
13. Red-winged Blackbird (15%)
14. Song Sparrow (15%)

Yellow-rumped Warblers, Mountain Chickadees are more common in Jackson than the state average for Wyoming.

---

Common Backyard Birds of Gillette, Wyoming

The following list uses eBird data to create a list of common backyard birds in Gillette. The city of Gillette is in Campbell County. I will use the data for Campbell County to represent the birds of the Gillette area.

Here are the most common backyard birds throughout the year in Gillette:

1. American Robin (54% frequency)
2. House Sparrow (49%)
3. Western Meadowlark (47%)
4. Eurasian Collared-Dove (42%)
5. Mourning Dove (41%)
6. European Starling (40%)
7. Common Grackle (39%)
8. House Finch (34%)
9. Red-winged Blackbird (31%)
10. Northern Flicker (29%)
11. American Goldfinch (26%)
12. Black-capped Chickadee (25%)
13. Yellow-rumped Warbler (23%)
14. Red-breasted Nuthatch (23%)
15. Cedar Waxwing (19%)  Learn about this species on eBird
16. Western Wood-Pewee (18%)
17. Western Kingbird (18%)  Learn about this species on eBird
18. Brown-headed Cowbird (17%)  Learn about this species on eBird
19. Brewer's Blackbird (17%)

American Robins, House Sparrows, Western Meadowlarks, Eurasian Collared-Doves, Mourning Doves, European Starlings, Common Grackles, House Finches, Red-winged Blackbirds, American Goldfinches, Black-capped Chickadees, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Red-breasted Nuthatches are more common in Gillette than the state average for Wyoming.

---

Common Backyard Birds of Casper, Wyoming

The following list uses eBird data to create a list of common backyard birds in Casper. The city of Casper is in Natrona County. I will use the data for Natrona County to represent the birds of the Casper area.

Here are the most common backyard birds throughout the year in Casper:

1. American Robin (47% frequency)
2. Northern Flicker (41%)
3. House Sparrow (38%)
4. European Starling (37%)
5. Black-capped Chickadee (36%)
6. House Finch (30%)
7. Blue Jay (27%)  Learn about this species on eBird
8. Mourning Dove (25%)
9. Common Grackle (25%)
10. Red-winged Blackbird (25%)
11. Western Meadowlark (24%)
12. Eurasian Collared-Dove (22%)
13. Black-billed Magpie (21%)
14. American Goldfinch (17%)

American Robins, Northern Flickers, House Sparrows, European Starlings, Black-capped Chickadees, House Finches, Blue Jays, Mourning Doves, Common Grackles are more common in Casper than the average for the state of Wyoming.

---

Related:

34 of the most common birds in the United States (with photos)

Red, Orange, & Yellow Birds of Wyoming

---