WhenToBird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird · Archilochus colubris

When Do Hummingbirds Arrive in Connecticut?

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

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach Connecticut in late April, are common by early May, peak in early September (26% of checklists), and most are gone by late September. They are the only regular hummingbirds in Connecticut.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 22-30late April
Common byMay 1-7early May
PeakSep 1-7early September
Most gone bySep 22-30late September

Best: early September. First arrivals late April; most are gone by late September. Peak: on about 26% of Connecticut checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Marnot usually seen
  4. Apruncommon
  5. Maycommon
  6. Juncommon
  7. Julcommon
  8. Augpeak season
  9. Seppeak season
  10. Octrare
  11. Novnot usually seen
  12. Decnot usually seen

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

Hummingbirds in Connecticut, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Ruby-throated HummingbirdApr 22-30May 1-7Sep 1-7Sep 22-3026%
0%10%20%30%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 Connecticut 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 Connecticut

Best counties for Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Windham CountyBest the second week of August · 287 checklists that week, 19,034 in all45%
  2. Tolland CountyBest mid August · 435 checklists that week, 39,004 in all40%
  3. Middlesex CountyBest the second week of August · 513 checklists that week, 39,919 in all34%
  4. Litchfield CountyBest mid August · 1130 checklists that week, 69,766 in all33%
  5. New London CountyBest late August · 1480 checklists that week, 65,205 in all33%
  6. Fairfield CountyBest early September · 2123 checklists that week, 139,848 in all31%

Common questions

When do hummingbirds arrive in Connecticut?
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach Connecticut in late April, are common by early May, peak in early September (26% of checklists), and most are gone by late September. They are the only regular hummingbirds in Connecticut.
When do hummingbirds leave Connecticut?
Most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have left Connecticut by late September, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until early October.
When is the best time to see hummingbirds in Connecticut?
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is reported most often in early September, on about 26% of Connecticut checklists.