Hummingbird Migration. Spring & Fall Migration Information. 2020 ...

1. Home
2. Migration

FTC Disclosure:  If you make a purchase via a link on this site, We may receive a small commission on the transaction - at no added cost to you. Thank you!

Hummingbird Migration

Hummingbird migration in the Spring is the flight from Mexico and Central America to their Summer breeding grounds in the United States and Canada.

In the Fall they will migrate back to their Winter homes in Mexico and Central America in order to take advantage of the available food sources for their survival.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds usually start their Spring migration in late February to early March.

The Fall migration which is triggered by the amount of daylight hours typically starts in August in Canada.

The Ruby-throated hummingbird predominately inhabits the eastern United States and Canada while the Rufous, Anna's, Allen's, Calliope, Costa's, Broad-tailed and Black-chinned hummingbirds predominately inhabit the western United States and Canada.

It's Almost Time To Get Excited!Only One More Month!

Hummingbird Spring Migration Map 2026

When will the hummingbirds arrive?

See the "state by state table" below listing the average arrival dates by state; an easy way to estimate the Spring migration arrival dates in your area.

We compiled this data taken from our visitors sightings from previous years.

If it wasn't for you, our visitors, we wouldn't be able to relay all this important information to our fellow "Hummingbird Lovers"!

Estimated Spring Arrival Dates by State

LOCATION

DATE

ALABAMAALASKAARIZONAARKANSASCALIFORNIACOLORADOCONNECTCUTDELAWAREFLORIDAGEORGIAIDAHOILLINOISINDIANAIOWAKANSASKENTUCKYLOUISIANAMAINEMARYLAND  MASSACHUSETTESMICHIGANMINNESOTAMISSISSIPPIMISSOURIMONTANANEBRASKANEVADANEW HAMPSHIRENEW JERSEYNEW MEXICONEW YORKNORTH CAROLINANORTH DAKOTAOHIOOKLAHOMAOREGANPENNSYLVANIARHODE ISLANDSOUTH CAROLINASOUTH DAKOTATENNESSEETEXASUTAHVERMONTVIRGINIAWASHINGTONWEST VIRGINIAWISCONSINWYOMING

MARCH - week 2APRIL - week 1MARCH - week 1MARCH - week 3APRIL - week 2APRIL - week 2APRIL - week 4APRIL - week 3MARCH - week 1MARCH - week 3APRIL - week 4APRIL - week 4APRIL - week 1APRIL - week 4APRIL - week 2MARCH - week 2MARCH - week 1APRIL - week 4MARCH - week 3APRIL - week 4MAY - week 1MAY - week 1MARCH - week 3MARCH - week 3APRIL - week 4APRIL - week 4MAY - week 1MAY - week 1APRIL - week 4APRIL - week 1APRIL - week 4MARCH - week 3MAY - week 2APRIL - week 4APRIL - week 1MARCH - week 2APRIL - week 1APRIL - week 3MARCH - week 3MAY - week 1APRIL - week 1MARCH - week 1MARCH - week 4MAY - week 1APRIL - week 1MARCH - week 2APRIL - week 3MAY - week 1MAY - week 1

If you have seen hummingbirds in your state earlier than these dates please let us know by contacting us.

MIGRATION & BREEDING MAPS BY SPECIES

Migration and Breeding Range Maps of the  Anna's, Allen's, Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, Calliope, Costa's, Ruby-throated, and Rufous hummingbirds that inhabit the eastern and western United States and Canada.

Anna'sMigrationMap

Allen'sMigrationMap

Black-ChinnedMigrationMap

Broad-tailedMigrationMap

CalliopeMigrationMap

Costa'sMigrationMap

Ruby-throatedMigrationMap

RufousMigrationMap

The HummingbirdSpring Migration

The migration for the Ruby-throated hummingbird usually starts in February and ends in late May in their northern most habitat of Canada.

In the Spring, the Ruby-throated hummingbird will leave Mexico and Central America, where they are concentrated and there is stiff competition for food.

Males will usually migrate first followed by the females about 10 to 14 days later.

Most of the Western Hummingbird Species including the Allen's,  Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, Calliope, Costa's and Rufous Hummingbirds also migrate in the Spring from their Winter grounds.

However, one western species, the Anna's Hummingbirds, will stay year-round along the western states and don't migrate in the Spring or Fall.(Details are described below)

When To Hang Your Feeders

We recommend hanging your feeders 2 weeks before the estimated time of arrival just in case they show up earlier.

Check this 2025 migration map of sighting reports to get an idea of when they will arrive to your feeders.

See When To Hang Your Feeders for more details.

The Wonders Of Hummingbird Migration!

Wondering how these little creatures accomplish this amazing feat year after year!

Some scientists believe that they will also stop at the same feeders along their route on the same day every year during their migration journey.

It is believed that hummingbirds will return year after year to the same feeders where they wore born.

They will double their body mass in weight to “fuel-up” for the long journey.

It's remarkable that this tiny bird has the capability to fly over 500 miles non-stop when crossing the Gulf of Mexico.

However, some wil travel via the Gulf Coast of Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Georgia rather than across the gulf waters up to the northern areas. 

It must be a lonely trip since hummingbirds do not migrate in flocks but rather alone.

Hummingbirds usually fly during the day and rest at night but when flying across the Gulf of Mexico, they will fly at night to complete this amazing feat!

The HummingbirdFall Migration

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird Fall migration south back to Mexico and Central America starts when the abundance of insects (their main food source) starts to dwindle with cold temperatures in the north.

This usually starts in late August into September in the northern most areas of Canada with the males leaving first followed by the females a week or two later.

Some, very few, Ruby-throated hummingbirds will "Over-winter" along the Gulf Coast and the Southeast Atlantic Coast of the United States.

See Our Ruby-throated Hummingbird Winter Hummingbird Map.

Most of the Western Hummingbird Species including the Allen's, Anna's, Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, Calliope, Costa's and Rufous Hummingbirds also migrate in the Fall to their Winter grounds. (Details are described below)

Note: We recommend to keep your feeders up well past the last time you see your hummingbirds at your feeders in the Fall.

During the Fall Migration you may see "passers-by" several weeks after your last hummers visit your feeders.

You can check ths 2025 Fall Migration Map below to estimate when hummingbirds will be passing through your location.

To learn more about the fascinating journey of the hummingbird migration and when they will arrive in your area, keep scrolling down.

Check Out OurWinter Hummingbird Map

If you are one of the lucky ones who has hummingbirds all year throughout the Winter, AKA "Winter Hummingbirds", we encourage you to post your winter sightings.

This may encourage others in your area to help by providing feeders so they may also attract "Winter Hummingbirds"!

Hummingbird Migration Map 2024

Post Your Winter Sightings!

See the Past Migration Maps!

Now Available!

Our New Hummingbird Migration Mobile App

Follow the Hummingbird Migration & Submit Your Sightings Right From Your Smartphone!The Hummingbird Tracker

 Available Here:

How does climate change affect the Hummingbird Migration?

Some studies/opinions hint that it could be a problem if hummingbirds arrive in a certain location expecting nectar but the plants are done flowering when they arrive.

If temperatures are generally getting warmer, flowers maybe blooming earlier resulting in flowers that are past bloom when hummingbirds arrive in the areaHummingbirds need the nectar from blooming flowers to fuel their long journey.

Weather conditions will vary from year to year which affect when flowers will bloom in a particular area.

By circumstance, flowers will be in bloom when hummingbirds are passing through but in another year they might not be blooming.

However, 300 miles or so east or west of their usual migration route there may be flowers ready to fuel their needs.

They have the ability to alter their migration routes according to the flowers that are in bloom.

Studies have shown that hummingbirds have the sense to alter their routes according to the resources available.

So this gives us hope that these very adaptable little creatures will have the capability to adapt and survive changing conditions.

Migration and Breeding Range map of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

Map provided by Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are the most predominate in the eastern United States.

They are the only hummingbirds to breed east of the Mississippi river.

The Ruby-throats have the most emmense breeding area of all hummingbirds in the United States and Canada.

In the United States the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds breeding area extends from Texas to the west up through Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota through all the states to the East Coast from Florida to Maine.

In Canada their breeding area covers Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.

The Ruby-throats will start their Spring migration in February and ending in May in the northern most breeding areas.

The males will arrive to their chosen breeding area 1 to 2 weeks before the females.

The Fall migration will start in late August in Canada when the daylight hours start to shorten and the abundance of food starts to dwindle.

Some Ruby-throated Hummingbirds will be year-round residents of southern Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

Most will spend the winters in Mexico and Central America.

It is true that most hummingbirds fly north in the spring and south in the winter to complete the hummingbird migration.

There are exceptions such as the Anna’s hummingbird. This hummingbird species may not leave the United States at all but migrate simply to lower elevations in the spring and higher elevations in the summer. It is a matter of food supply and climate.

Another example of a deviation to the typical hummingbird migration Spring to Autumn schedule is the desert breeding Costa's hummingbird of Arizona that leave for a few short months but return in December to nest.

Migration and Breeding Range maps of the  Rufous, Anna's, Allen's, Callliope, Broad-tailed and Black-chinned hummingbirds that inhabit the western United States and Canada.

Maps provided by Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Rufous Hummingbirds

Rufous Hummingbirds have the widest range of any hummingbird; from southern Mexico all the way up to Alaska in the Summer.

They spend the non-breeding winter months in Mexico. However, the Rufous have been spotted along the Gulf Coast and the southeastern states over the Winter. 

The Rufous will leave their Winter habitat of Mexico in late Winter and early Spring to migrate through the western United States to their breeding grounds.

Their breeding area includes the Pacific Northwest in the United States through Western Canada up to Alaska.

The map below shows the approximate non-breeding, migration and breeding ranges of the Rufous Hummingbird in North America

Anna's Hummingbird

The Anna's Hummingbird is the most abundant in numbers in their occupied range shared by other species.

The Anna's year round territory extends from northern Mexico up the west coast of the United States all the way into British Columbia in Canada and east into Arizona and southern Nevada.

They are scarcely found into west Texas and southern New Mexico.

Anna's hummingbirds occupy the northern most territory of any year-round hummingbirds. 

They can survive the colder temperatures by bulking-up in fat  with constant feeding and going into Torpor, a hibernation like state of lower body temperatures and slower metabolism.

Allen’s Hummingbirds

The Allen's Hummingbird spends the Winter in southern Mexico.

They will migrate along the Pacific Coast into California.

The Allen's will spend the Summer in their breeding area along the coast of California, very close to water's edge.

The Allen's Hummingbird is a close relative to the Rufous but occupying a more limited breeding range compared.

Calliope Hummingbirds

Calliope Hummingbirds migrate in the Spring north from Mexico to their breeding grounds in the mountains of California, Washington and Oregaon on the west coast.

Their breeding grounds also extend into the mountains of Montana, Idaho, Utah  and Colorado.

In Canada their breeding grounds inhabit the British Columbia and Alberta areas.

The Calliope Hummingbirds spend the winter months in southwestern Mexico.

Costa's Hummingbirds

Costa's Hummingbirds will migrate to the desert areas of western United States and Mexico.

Thy will breed in the Mojave Desert, the Sonoran Desert and the San Joaquin Valley of California.

The Costa's spend the Winter mainley along the southwestern coast of Mexico.

They will inhabit southern California, the southwestern corner of Arizona and the northwestern coast of Mexico including the California Baja Peninsula year-round.

Black-chinned Hummingbirds

Black-chinned Hummingbirds have an emense breeding area in the United States which is the largest breeding territory of any hummingbird!

Their breeding area extends from California through Washington and Oregan into southern British Columbia and west into Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

The Black-chinned hummingbird is a year-round resident of southern Texas and norhtern Mexico.

Others will spend the Winter along the western coast of Mexico.

Broad-tailed Hummingbirds

Broad-tailed Hummingbirds are interestigng in the fact that some will migrate from Mexico into United States to their breeding areas while others do not migrate and stay in central Mexico.

Their breeding grounds stretch through Mexico into western California to Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

The Broad-tailed reside year-round in Guatamala and southern Mexico.

The breeding community will winter in the very southern area of Mexico.

 You can keep track of their journey by using our interactive map and our list of sightings. It can be fun to report to others your first sightings and keep a record for yourself from year to year.

Enjoying one last Summer Party of 2012 on our back porch before her trip south for the Winter!

It is a good idea to put up your feeders a few weeks ahead of the expected arrival.

If you happen to be on a hummingbird migration route, a hungry traveler might enjoy the meal and possibly even stay. Your regular hummingbirds will expect to return to their normal routine once they arrive.

Are your feeders in good working order? Some may have cracked or broken from the elements over the course of last summer. Begin early and check for problems.

Perhaps, you might like to put up more feeders and have more hummingbirds this year.

We hope you will take a look at our store for a selection of all types of feeders. We carry basic feeders, tray feeders, window feeders, decorative feeders, feeder parts and accessories.

You might even enjoy providing the birds with some hummingbird nesting material.

When do hummingbirds migrate?

Just as hummingbird migration routes are in flux, so is the timing. Of course there may be slight variations in the timing of migration from one year to the next.

This change is dependent on food sources and weather. Bigger changes are being documented by scientists. It has been studied that the Ruby-throated hummingbirds are arriving days to weeks early in recent years.

They are also taking more days to complete a migration journey. It is believed that the abundance of family gardens and hummingbird feeders along the way allow for this change.

Male hummingbirds always arrive about two weeks before the females.

Hummingbird Migration Map andSightings Report for 2023

You have come to right place to report a hummingbird sighting!

We have been tracking the Hummingbird Migration each year since 2009. 

Our visitors report a hummingbird sighting and our migration map is updated many times each day to bring you the most current migration map on the web!

We receive well over 10,000 hummingbird Spring and Fall sighting reports each year, adding up to over 197,000,000 sightings in the history of our hummingbird migration map and viewed more than 60,500,000 times since we at "The Hummingbird Guide" have been tracking the hummingbird migration each year.

We have also been tracking the Fall Hummingbird Migration since 2015, one of the very few hummingbird sites who track the migration during this time of year.

Some ask, "Why track the Fall Migration?"

Tracking the Fall migration gives warning to those who see a large influx of hummingbirds to their feeders on their way to the Winter habitat in Mexico and Central America.

This warning helps our visitors to be ready with extra feeders and nectar for the migrating hummingbirds who need the nutrition and fuel for their long journey.

In 2020 we added a map with our visitor sightings to track the Winter Hummingbirds or those that "overwinter" (hummers that stay throughout the winter).

To learn more or report your Winter Hummingbird Sighting for 2025 click here.

Where do they travel?

Hummingbird migration routes vary from species to species.

The most famous migration is the Ruby-throated because this remarkable bird travels from Central America and Mexico, crosses the Gulf of Mexico none-stop and continues as far north as eastern Canada.

It should be noted that this route would be dangerous in the Fall because of a significant chance of missing the Yucatan Peninsula. For this reason southbound Ruby-throated hummingbirds follow the Gulf Coast through Louisiana and Texas.

Migration routes are not fixed but continue to evolve.

The Rufous hummingbird is known to have the longest migration route. Typically a Rufous flies north along the Pacific Coast from Mexico through California to their breeding grounds as far north as northern Canada and Alaska.

They return south through the Rocky Mountains.

Nonetheless, more recently there have been many sighting of Rufous hummingbirds expanding their migration route by crossing southern Canada from west to east and continuing south along the Atlantic coastline sometimes wintering in the southern Unites States.

As we have said, most hummingbirds migrate but an increasing number of western hummingbirds are being spotted and banded in winter.

It is no longer unusual for someone to see an Allen’s or a Rufous hummingbird overwintering in Maryland, Alabama and even Pennsylvania.

Could our changing climate be responsible or something else?

People often worry about the safety of these vagrant hummingbirds during a winter cold snap and should call the local Audubon Society for information.

How do hummingbirds complete this amazing feat?

A common myth about hummingbird migration is that they migrate on the backs of geese!

Like other myths, this explanation was probably invented to solve a mystery.

How could such tiny birds migrate those tremendous distances?

Possibly, people who truly loved hummingbirds were looking for a softer and easier journey for their precious little friends.

The truth is that hummingbirds do make the arduous migration journey on their own.

Wouldn’t you be even more impressed to hear that they actually travel alone and not in flocks? I was!  

Yet, here is the genius of nature.

When flying alone these tiny birds become almost invisible to predators. Unlike geese, hummingbirds fly low, not much higher than rooftops and the  treetops, in search of food along the way.

How fast does a hummingbird fly?

The distance a hummingbird flies in one day is determined by the species, terrain, wind velocity, and food sources along the way.

The average hummingbird flies 25 miles per hour.

A Ruby-throated hummingbird flies across the Gulf of Mexico none-stop using the wind to their advantage, increasing their speed and shortening the time it takes to cross over the water.

Hummingbird banders have shown that this journey across the Gulf generally takes about 20 hours.

So just think about it. This tiny bird flies non-stop for 20 hours across the water. How can they accomplish this incredible feat when we consider their food requirements?

After all, can’t a hummingbird starve without food within several hours? The answer lies in anatomy.

A hummingbird bulks up for weeks before migration.

Here is another reason to keep those feeders up for a couple weeks beyond the very last hummingbird visit .

Hummingbirds can store up to half their total body weight as fat for the purpose of migration.

I had wondered if they fly throughout the night. The answer is yes, hummingbirds fly throughout the night when making the trip across the Gulf.

Wow!! That is hummingbird migration, one of nature’s truest miracles.

See our past years maps and sightings to help estimate the arrival of the hummingbirds in your area.

Spring Migration Maps

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

Fall Migration Maps

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

For me, it's a glorious day and Spring starts............................. when the Hummers arrive!

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.