WhenToBird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird · Archilochus colubris

When Do Hummingbirds Arrive in Arkansas?

Adult male Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Photo: David Bird, CC0 1.0 via iNaturalist

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach Arkansas in early April, are common by mid April, peak in early September (39% of checklists), and most are gone by early October. They are the only regular hummingbirds in Arkansas.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 1-7early April
Common byApr 15-21mid April
PeakSep 1-7early September
Most gone byOct 1-7early October

Best: early September. First arrivals early April; most are gone by early October. Peak: on about 39% of Arkansas checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Marrare
  4. Aprcommon
  5. Maycommon
  6. Juncommon
  7. Julpeak season
  8. Augpeak season
  9. Seppeak season
  10. Octcommon
  11. Novnot usually seen
  12. Decnot usually seen

Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.

Hummingbirds in Arkansas, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Ruby-throated HummingbirdApr 1-7Apr 15-21Sep 1-7Oct 1-739%
0%10%20%30%40%Ruby-throated HummingbirdJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Share of complete checklists reporting each species, by week (4 per month). Gaps: fewer than 10 checklists that week.

Frequency is the share of complete checklists in Arkansas that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.

Where in Arkansas

Best counties for Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Drew CountyBest mid September · 10 checklists that week, 720 in all88%
  2. Grant CountyBest late June · 22 checklists that week, 1,258 in all84%
  3. Carroll CountyBest late July · 74 checklists that week, 3,417 in all71%
  4. Izard CountyBest the second week of September · 17 checklists that week, 788 in all71%
  5. Polk CountyBest the second week of August · 10 checklists that week, 765 in all71%
  6. Marion CountyBest early September · 43 checklists that week, 2,712 in all66%

Common questions

When do hummingbirds arrive in Arkansas?
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach Arkansas in early April, are common by mid April, peak in early September (39% of checklists), and most are gone by early October. They are the only regular hummingbirds in Arkansas.
When do hummingbirds leave Arkansas?
Most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have left Arkansas by early October, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until mid October.
When is the best time to see hummingbirds in Arkansas?
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is reported most often in early September, on about 39% of Arkansas checklists.