Hummingbirds soon will be southbound

As summer fades to fall, hummingbirds will fly away from the Palmetto State, migrating to areas like Mexico and the Bahamas for their tropical climates.

The ruby-throated hummingbird ― South's Carolina's most common hummingbird species ― will specifically migrate to Florida and Panama.

Where can I see the ruby-throated hummingbird before it leaves SC?

Per A-Z Animals, the ruby-throated hummingbird can be found along the Atlantic Coast at beaches and state parks. Hunting Island State Park and Caeser's Head State Park in Greenville County are two accessible public spots for bird watching, so make sure to bring your camera and binoculars before you head out on your trip. We're sure you're going to see something you won't want to miss.

How can I attract hummingbirds to my backyard before they migrate?

If you didn't get the chance to put out your bird feeder during the beginning of summer, you still have time to. Hummingbirds leave S.C. in early September, and attracting these birds to your yard is simple.

"Creating a hummingbird sanctuary in your backyard doesn’t require much: some flowers and water are the main factors that will bring these tiny birds to your yard," according to A-Z Animals. "The flowers you pick to plant should produce plenty of nectar — a hummingbird’s food source. Hummingbirds also tend to like red-colored flowers, so consider geraniums or petunias in your question to create a hummingbird-friendly flower scape."

To up your chances of hummingbirds finding sanctuary in your yard, be sure to add a bird bath with fresh water to drink or a feeder with sugar water.

When do hummingbirds return to SC?

The typical window for the ruby-throated hummingbird to return to S.C. is from mid-March to early April during breeding season. Males ― characterized by their metallic red-throat bib ― will begin to appear in late March, per the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. White throated females will make their way back from the tropics a week later.

Do all hummingbirds migrate from SC during the winter?

No, there are some hummingbirds that choose to stay in S.C. during the winter months, like the feisty and fierce Rufous hummingbird that overwinters in the Southeast. Known as the most aggressive of all hummingbird species due to its territorial behavior, the Rufous hummingbird continues to be a constant competition for food sources, and will chase and jab at other hummingbirds with their bills to keep them away from feeders. They also chirp and fan their tails to ward other birds off, according to Perky-Pets. Their fiery personality seems to match their flame-like color pattern, carried by males in the species. Females have much less orange on their bodies as their male counterparts, identified by a small spot of iridescent orange coloring on their throats.