Ruby-throated hummingbirds are almost back in SC for 2026. Here’s when to put out your feeders

Is there anything more precious in the wild world than a ruby-throated hummingbird, darting around feeders, sipping at azaleas and petunias.

Hummingbirds are on their way back to South Carolina, arriving in a couple of weeks, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources says.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are the most common hummingbird species in South Carolina and the only one to breed in the eastern U.S.

The males will be here first, usually at the end of March. They have the characteristic metallic blood-red throat bib. Females typically show up a week later. They are identified by their white throat.

They are returning North from the Tropics and some will keep going. Those that stay will be looking for your feeders and their favorite plants.

“Under natural conditions, hummingbirds obtain sugar by eating the nectar of flowers and the sap of trees,” DNR says. “Homeowners can duplicate this part of a hummer’s diet by placing a sugar solution in a hummingbird feeder.”

Hummingbirds consume 50% of their body weight daily in sugar.

Preparing hummingbird feeders

If you used your feeder before, wash it with hot water and vinegar or hot water and bleach to destroy mildew and mold, then rinse thoroughly with clean water. Mix sugar and water at four parts water to one part sugar. DNR says that equates to one cup of sugar per quart of water.

Boil the solution for about 3 minutes to help retard fermentation and store it in the refrigerator. Let it reach room temperature before putting it outside.

Hang the feeder in a shadier spot to slow down mold build-up. Hummingbirds are woodland creatures and they will sit in trees and guard the feeders.

Throw away cloudy solutions.

“Red dye is unnecessary, the red coloring on the feeder will suffice,” DNR said.

Don’t use honey. It can have a fungus harmful to the birds. Change the solution and clean the feeder every two to three days. Once the temperature gets over 90, do it every day.

Feeders can be left up well into the fall.

Flowers that attract hummingbirds

• Red salvia
• Bee balm
• Trumpet creeper
• Trumpet honeysuckle
• Cypress vine
• Crossvine
• Firecracker vine
• Red buckeye
• Native azaleas (Oconee, flame and plumleaf)
• Woodbine

They also like hibiscus, hollyhock, petunia and impatiens and feed on small insects. Rhododendron, lupine, mountain laurel, coral bells, rose of Sharon and zinnia will also attract hummingbirds.

If you’re in an area with bears, remembers bears like sugary stuff too — and seeds, if you have other feeders. To keep them away from your hummingbird feeders use 10-12-foot-tall metal poles securely mounted in the ground.

This story was originally published March 11, 2026 at 6:00 AM.