when do hummingbirds come back
Hummingbirds generally come back in early spring , with exact timing depending on where you live and the species.
Quick Scoop
- In the southern U.S. and Gulf Coast, migrating hummingbirds can show up as early as late February to early March.
- Across much of the U.S., peak spring return runs from March through May.
- In northern states and into Canada, many hummingbirds don’t arrive until late April through mid‑May.
- Ruby-throated hummingbirds (the main species east of the Mississippi) reach the Deep South in early March, mid‑U.S. areas around early April, and the far North by mid‑May.
- Some western and coastal areas (like parts of California and the Pacific Coast) have hummingbirds year‑round, so they never really “come back.”
Simple rule of thumb
- Put your feeder out a week or two before your region’s usual first sightings: early March in the Gulf states, late March–April in the central U.S., and April–May in the North.
Regional timing table
| Region | Typical first return |
|---|---|
| Gulf Coast (TX, LA, MS, AL, FL panhandle) | Late February to early–mid March | [7][3]
| Southern U.S. (South interior) | Early to late March | [1][3]
| Central U.S. (Midwest/Plains) | Early to mid April | [7][9][3]
| Northeast & Upper Midwest | Late April to May | [9][3][1]
| Far North & Canada | May into early June for some areas | [5][3]
| Pacific Coast (some areas) | Many birds present year‑round, limited migration | [3]
If your local spring feels “late” or unusually cold, hummingbirds may also arrive a bit later than the average dates.
Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.