It's hummingbird migration season in Georgia. Here's how much longer they'll be around your feeder

The warmth of summer may still be all over Georgia, but fall is coming very soon, and the animals know it. A variety of them will be flying down south ahead of the winter, including our small but fast hummingbirds.

Here's what we know about their migratory patterns:

When do hummingbirds leave Georgia?

Georgia Wildlife says the first hummingbirds to migrate are adult males. Most of them depart by the end of August. Females and those that hatched this year follow later. By October, most of them will have left the Peach State.

Why do hummingbirds migrate?

The fall migration is triggered by declining day length. As the days grow shorter, chemical changes are triggered in the hummingbirds' bodies, causing hummingbirds to go on a feeding binge. They must store the necessary food to make their trip. Each bird increases its body weight by two-thirds or more, which is reportedly the equivalent of a 170-pound man putting on an extra 85 pounds.

Where do hummingbirds go when they leave Georgia?

When hummingbirds migrate, they are flying toward their winter homes in southern Mexico and Central America. Each bird travels alone and instinctively knows when to leave and where they are going.

When should you stop feeding hummingbirds in Georgia?

Though hummingbirds begin to migrate August through September, migration is driven by factors like weather, sunlight patterns, changes in plants and insect populations and more. This means that leaving your hummingbird feeder out won't delay or prevent hummingbirds from migrating.

How often should I clean and change nectar in hummingbird feeders?

How often hummingbird feeders need cleaning and fresh nectar varies by season and temperature, according to the National Audubon Society.

• In cooler months of fall and spring, clean and refill twice a week.

• In warmer months, clean and refill every day or two.

• If the nectar becomes cloudy, a change is overdue.

• Also clean and refill if you see mold, insect encroachment or if a sick bird uses a feeder.

Iris Seaton of Asheville Citizen Times contributed to this article.

Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Hummingbird migration season in Georgia. How long will they be around?