Spring is migration time for hummingbirds travelling from their winter homes to breeding habitats in the United States and Canada. Use this tracking map to know when to expect them in your area.
About two weeks before they arrive, start providing food using this hummingbird sugar water recipe so it’s ready when they are.
Hummingbird Migration Map
Where Are the Hummingbirds Now?
This map (below) is updated as hummingbirds are sighted during the spring migration in the United States and Canada.
Map
Click on the map (+) to zoom in on your area. Allow time for the map to load.
Next, click on any bird and a pop up will list the date it was sighted.
Map Legend
Are they in your area or coming soon?
Did you know they fly solo (not in flocks)? Amazing birds!
The map is updated daily during migration season so bookmark this page to watch their progress.
When they appear to be a week or two away, put your feeders out.
- This is the feeder I recommend.
- The recipe for making sugar water in different size batches is here.
- Grab your free, printable hummingbird tip sheet in the Resources section that includes the sugar water recipe and feeder care tips.
- If you wish to report a sighting, the entry form is here (after you agree). The map is managed by hummingbirdcentral.com.
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Migration
When can I expect hummingbirds in my area?
This shows estimated arrival dates of Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds based on the tracking data from previous years:
You can see on the map that they start arriving in the southern United States in south Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida in late February to mid March.
By early April there are sightings father north in Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, South Carolina into North Carolina.
Mid-April brings sightings in Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, and Indianna.
By Late April they reach Nebraska, Iowa, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and parts of New England.
We know spring is really on its way in May when reports come from North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, Vermont, and Canadian provinces including Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, as well as New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.
The western coasts see a few different species in addition to ruby-throated hummingbirds.
In fall, the hummingbirds start heading back south to warmer climates. This has more details about their fall migration.
Hummingbird Tips & Resources
Contents
Hummingbird Species
There are a few species in Canada and the United States:
- Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) | Eastern United States, South and Central Canada [wikipedia]
- Black Chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri)| Southwest United States [ wikipedia]
- Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna) | Western coast of United States and Canada [wikipedia]
- Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus)| Northwest United States and Northwest Canada [wikipedia]
- Calliope Hummingbird (Stellula calliope) is found in western United States and Canada * [wikipedia]
Recommended Feeder
Hummingbirds may arrive in your area before they are marked on the map, so get your feeders ready about two weeks before their anticipated arrival date.
There’s no perfect feeder but this is the best I have found.
Hummingbird Feeder | Amazon
Ant Moat | Amazon
I have several feeders so I can always keep at least one active while the others are being washed.
Feeder Features to Look For
- A perch for the hummingbirds so they can rest while they eat.
- If bottle-style feeder, look for a glass bottle which lasts much longer than plastic.
- Easy-to-clean all parts. A small bottle brush will help!
This shows how to make sugar water for hummingbirds with the correct ratio of sugar to water.
Essential Hummingbird Habitat
While hummingbirds can benefit from sugar water, their survival depends on these key things:
- Natural habitat for nesting | Bushes, trees, shrubs.
- Insects | This is the main staple of their diet.
- Nectar plants | See 50 Flowering Plants for Hummingbirds.
- NO sprays, no pesticides, no herbicides, etc. | Do not poison their habitat or food sources or you are poisoning them.
Free Tip Sheet
Empress of Dirt
Hummingbird Food Recipe & Care Tips
Save to your device and/or print it.
Last Year’s Map
This is what the map looks like after an entire migratory season of sightings.
You can really see how common Ruby-throated hummingbirds are!
Cheers to a great hummingbird season.
~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛
