Springtime means hummingbirds are returning to West TN

March 31, 2025

Nyana Whitelaw,

JACKSON, Tenn. — It’s that time of year for hummingbirds to return to West Tennessee. The primary species that migrates to this area is the ruby-throated hummingbird.

According to the Hummingbird Central migration map, there have already been numerous sightings across the state.

“Yes, it was so exciting because I was sitting here at the chair and my husband was there and we saw this black something go ‘schewww,’ and David was like ‘I think that was a hummingbird’ and I was like ‘No way,’ and I said ‘I think it was a hummingbird,’ said Darlene Tanner, Master Gardener.

If you’re interested in getting a feeder, Tanner gives you a quick, simple recipe the birds are sure to love.

“What you need to do is put one-forth cup of sugar to one cup of water, but if you’re in town and you have chlorine, you may either wanna boil it or just buy distilled water, whichever you wanna do,” said Tanner.

The ruby-throated hummingbirds are specifically attracted to the color red. But you don’t need to add dye to your feeders to draw them in, consider planting flowers such as honeysuckles and buckeyes.

“The opening to the feeder part, this right here, this opening right there needs to be large enough that you can get like a bottle brush cleaner down in there and clean it out really well. And you are going to have to clean it. They’re gonna get algae; they’re gonna get black looking stuff on them,” said Tanner.