WhenToBird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird · Archilochus colubris

When Do Hummingbirds Arrive in Illinois?

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

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach Illinois in late April, are common by the second week of May, peak in early September (31% of checklists), and most are gone by early October. They are the only regular hummingbirds in Illinois.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 22-30late April
Common byMay 8-14the second week of May
PeakSep 1-7early September
Most gone byOct 1-7early October

Best: early September. First arrivals late April; most are gone by early October. Peak: on about 31% of Illinois checklists.

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

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

Hummingbirds in Illinois, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Ruby-throated HummingbirdApr 22-30May 8-14Sep 1-7Oct 1-731%
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 Illinois 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 Illinois

Best counties for Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Edwards CountyBest late August · 15 checklists that week, 797 in all73%
  2. St. Clair CountyBest late August · 228 checklists that week, 10,340 in all72%
  3. Saline CountyBest mid September · 140 checklists that week, 7,510 in all72%
  4. Whiteside CountyBest the second week of September · 82 checklists that week, 4,111 in all67%
  5. Macoupin CountyBest early September · 23 checklists that week, 806 in all64%
  6. Bureau CountyBest the second week of September · 219 checklists that week, 10,244 in all61%

Common questions

When do hummingbirds arrive in Illinois?
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach Illinois in late April, are common by the second week of May, peak in early September (31% of checklists), and most are gone by early October. They are the only regular hummingbirds in Illinois.
When do hummingbirds leave Illinois?
Most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have left Illinois by early October, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until the second week of October.
When is the best time to see hummingbirds in Illinois?
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is reported most often in early September, on about 31% of Illinois checklists.