Anxious to put those hummingbird feeders out now that spring has officially arrived?
You may need to hold off just a bit longer—but not for much longer.
According to Hummingbird Central’s 2026 Hummingbird Spring Migration Map, the tiny birds are expected to return to Tennessee in the coming weeks.
Hummingbirds head to Music City
According to the University of Tennessee report Hummingbird Gardening In Tennessee, hummingbirds usually make their way back to the Volunteer State between late March and mid-May as they continue their northward spring migration. However, many people across Tennessee may not spot hummingbirds until around the second week of April.
Here’s a few things to keep in mind:
- While some hummingbirds appear in late March, the majority arrive after the first week in April.
- The Ruby-throated hummingbird is the only breeding species in Tennessee.
- Put feeders out each year by April 1 in preparation of the first arrivals.
- Hummingbirds are attracted to blooming flowers and feeders in suburban neighborhoods with mature trees and shrubby cover nearby.
As of March 15, no sightings have been confirmed in Tennessee. However, the nearest reported sighting on the spring migration map is just 11 miles from Tennessee’s southern border in Blue Ridge, Georgia.
How to report Tennessee hummingbird sightings
The spring migration map follows hummingbird movement from late January through May each year using community sightings and submissions, according to Hummingbird Central.
Although the site cannot publish every report due to the high volume of sightings and limited staff, it still encourages submissions to help track the birds’ northward migration.
You can submit hummingbird sightings online at www.hummingbirdcentral.com/hummingbird-sighting-submission-form-spring-26-01.htm.