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

[7][3] [1][3] [7][9][3] [9][3][1] [5][3] [3]
Region Typical first return
Gulf Coast (TX, LA, MS, AL, FL panhandle) Late February to early–mid March
Southern U.S. (South interior) Early to late March
Central U.S. (Midwest/Plains) Early to mid April
Northeast & Upper Midwest Late April to May
Far North & Canada May into early June for some areas
Pacific Coast (some areas) Many birds present year‑round, limited migration

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.