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 hummingbirds 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. Sightings run from the end of January to May.
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. Some may have wintered in the south.
By early April there are sightings farther 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 including Anna’s and Rufous hummingbirds.
See the photos and list of hummingbird species below.
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
These are some of the hummingbird species found in Canada and the United States. There are over 360 identified species in the world. Estimates vary but approximately 25 species appear in the United States with approximately 10 of these species extending into Canada with a few continuing up into Alaska for summer breeding.
Much of what we know relies on citizen sightings and identifications. This means we get an abundance of sightings with some identification errors. Those little birds move fast and one quick look may be all we have to go by!
Also, unless you’ve really studied the various species, it’s easy to mix them up. This is particularly true with immature birds and females in some hummingbird species—they can be really similar looking.
Plus, like any migratory bird, some species show up in the most unexpected places. So, if you do spot one that seems different—either in coloring or size—keep in mind that it might be a rare vagrant dropping by.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
- Summer Breeding:
Canada (East of Rockies)
United States – Eastern - Winters in Florida, Mexico, Central America
Interesting: Highest population of all hummingbird species: 35 million (current estimate)
Learn More: All About Birds

Allen’s Hummingbird
Selasphorus sasin
- Summer Breeding:
United States – Coastal California, Oregon, Texas - Winters in Mexico, Louisiana
Interesting: After mating, males and females live in different habitats.
Learn More: All About Birds

Anna’s Hummingbird
Calypte anna
- Summer Breeding:
Canada – Western, occasional sightings in eastern Canada
United States – Pacific Northwest, California, Arizona - Winters – often stay permanently in their range
Interesting: Anna’s live the farthest north of all hummingbirds that stay in place year-round. In the past century, their range has crept north.
Learn More: All About Birds

Black-chinned Hummingbird
Archilochus alexandri
- Summer Breeding:
Canada -Southern British Columbia, Alberta
United States – Western and Southwestern United States - Winters in Southern California, Gulf Coast, Arizona, Texas, Mexico
Interesting: Oldest known Black-chinned Hummingbird lived over 11 years.
Learn More: All About Birds

Blue-throated Hummingbird
Lampornis clemenciae
- Summer Breeding:
United States – Arizona, New Mexico, Texas - Winters in same southern regions
Interesting: Adult Blue-throated hummingbirds are one of the largest hummingbirds: up to 5-inches long and 10 grams in weight.
Learn More: Wikipedia

Broad-billed Hummingbird
Cynanthus latirostris
- Summer Breeding:
United States – Southwestern States - Winters in Mexico
Interesting: Males hover like a pendulum above females to get their attention during mating season.
Learn More: All About Birds

Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Selasphorus platycercus
- Summer Breeding:
United States – California mountains, Rocky mountains, other Western States - Winters in Mexico
Interesting: Makes a vocal sound that sounds like “cheet cheet cheet.”
Learn More: Birdsoftheworld.org

Buff-bellied Hummingbird
Amazilia yucatanensis
- Summer Breeding:
United States – Texas, around Gulf Coast - Winters in Southern Louisiana
Interesting: Vocalizations sound like “tsi-we.”
Learn More: All About Birds

Calliope Hummingbird
Stellula calliope
- Summer Breeding:
Canada – Western Canada
United States – California, mountainous Northwestern United States, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona - Winters in Southwestern United States, Mexico, Central America
Interesting: Smallest breeding bird in Canada
Learn More: All About Birds
image not available
Costa’s Hummingbird
Calypte costae
- Summer Breeding:
Canada – rare sightings in Western Canada
United States – Southwestern United States - Winters in Mexico
Interesting: Males make a high-pitched whistle sound while trying to entice females.
Learn More: All About Birds

Rivoli’s Hummingbird
Eugenes fulgens
- Summer Breeding:
United States – Texas, Arizona, New Mexico - Winters in Mexico
Interesting: Highest heartrate of any vertebrate animals (420-1200 beats per minute).
Learn More: All About Birds

Rufous Hummingbird
Selasphorus rufus
- Summer Breeding:
Canada – Western British Columbia
United States – Western United States, Alaska - Winters in Mexico
Interesting: Has one of the longest migratory routes of any bird. Travels 3900 miles between Alaska and Mexico twice a year.
Learn More: All About Birds
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 | Also get an ant moat if ants are likely to invade your feeder.
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 feeder that is easy to take apart and clean. Fine brushes made for cleaning straws are good for cleaning the feed ports.
- A perch for the hummingbirds so they can rest while they eat.
- A basin that holds a moderate amount of sugar water shielded from the sun. There is less waste if you provide small amounts of fresh food more often.
- If you choose a bottle-style feeder, look for a glass bottle which lasts much longer than plastic.
This shows how to make sugar water for hummingbirds with the correct ratio of sugar to water.
This has tips for feeding hummingbirds without attracting bees or wasps. It also has more in-depth tips about choosing good feeders.
During the warmer months, you may need to clean your feeder daily and remove it during heat waves when sugar water spoils rapidly.
Grow a Hummingbird-Friendly Garden
While hummingbirds can benefit from sugar water, their survival depends on these key things:
- Natural habitat for nesting | Bushes, trees, shrubs.
- Bugs | Arthropods including insects, caterpillars, mosquitoes, and more provide fats and protein.
- Nectar plants | See 50 Flowering Plants for Hummingbirds for carb-rich nectar plants.
- NO sprays, no pesticides, no herbicides, etc. | Do not poison their habitat or food sources or you are poisoning them.
- Protection from predators like domesticated cats. Sometimes easier said than done.
Free Tip Sheet
Empress of Dirt
FREE TIP SHEET
Hummingbird Food Recipe & Care Tips

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Hummingbird Feeder With Automated Camera

Netvue Birdfy Hummingbird Feeder Camera With Solar Panel
- High definition photos and video 24/7
- Free cloud storage or save to SD card
- Integrated phone app for footage and notifications
- Identifies 150+ hummingbird species
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Older Migration Maps
This is what the map looks like after an entire migratory season of sightings. Allow time for the map to fully load.
The legend with the color codes for each species is here.
2024
2023
2022

You can really see how common Ruby-throated hummingbirds are!
Cheers to a great hummingbird season.
~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛
