Hummingbird winter feeding - Ask Extension
Hi, At my work I have been feeding hummingbirds all year round for several years. During December – February we will have approximately 1-3 birds th...
Knowledgebase
Hummingbird winter feeding #944758
Asked September 10, 2026, 3:57 PM EDT
Hi, At my work I have been feeding hummingbirds all year round for several years. During December – February we will have approximately 1-3 birds that show up daily. I have been the one that comes in over the weekends to make sure the feeders have food. My problem is I will be retiring at the end of the year. No one at my work wants to take over feeding the birds in the winter. How do I make the transition of having feeders only during March – October?
Polk County Oregon
Expert Response
Congratulations on your upcoming retirement! Well, I'm afraid for over-winter feeding, the birds will have to find or intensify their visits to other feeders nearby. It's very likely that neighboring homes or businesses have also been on those birds' winter feeding routes.
Although you could encourage/enable your workplace to plant some native nectar plants for next and subsequent growing seasons, none of that would be blooming during winter. Are there neighboring businesses that might have a work who could pick up the torch for winter-feeding, so to speak?
Although you could encourage/enable your workplace to plant some native nectar plants for next and subsequent growing seasons, none of that would be blooming during winter. Are there neighboring businesses that might have a work who could pick up the torch for winter-feeding, so to speak?
