When do hummingbirds leave District of Columbia?

Most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have left District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia?

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is reported most often in early September, on about 25% of District of Columbia checklists.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird · Archilochus colubris

When Do Hummingbirds Arrive in District of Columbia?

Photo: David Bird, CC0 1.0 via iNaturalist

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach District of Columbia in mid April, are common by late April, peak in early September (25% of checklists), and most are gone by late September. They are the only regular hummingbirds in District of Columbia.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 15-21mid April

Common byApr 22-30late April

PeakSep 1-7early September

Most gone bySep 22-30late September

Best: early September. First arrivals mid April; most are gone by late September. Peak: on about 25% of District of Columbia checklists.

Jannot usually seen
Febnot usually seen
Marnot usually seen
Apruncommon
Mayuncommon
Junrare
Juluncommon
Augpeak season
Seppeak season
Octrare
Novnot usually seen
Decnot usually seen

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

Hummingbirds in District of Columbia, species by species

Species	First arrivals	Common by	Peak	Most gone by	Peak %
Ruby-throated Hummingbird	Apr 15-21	Apr 22-30	Sep 1-7	Sep 22-30	25%

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 District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia

Best counties for Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Share of checklists at the peak

District of Columbia CountyBest early September · 2481 checklists that week, 121,721 in all25%

Common questions

When do hummingbirds arrive in District of Columbia?: Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach District of Columbia in mid April, are common by late April, peak in early September (25% of checklists), and most are gone by late September. They are the only regular hummingbirds in District of Columbia.
When do hummingbirds leave District of Columbia?: Most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have left District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia?: The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is reported most often in early September, on about 25% of District of Columbia checklists.