WhenToBird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird · Archilochus colubris

When Do Hummingbirds Arrive in Iowa?

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

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

When to look

First arrivalsApr 22-30late April
Common byMay 8-14the second week of 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 31% of Iowa 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 Iowa, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Ruby-throated HummingbirdApr 22-30May 8-14Sep 1-7Sep 22-3031%
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 Iowa 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 Iowa

Best counties for Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Des Moines CountyBest late August · 65 checklists that week, 2,251 in all61%
  2. Jefferson CountyBest late August · 122 checklists that week, 4,772 in all61%
  3. Greene CountyBest the second week of September · 27 checklists that week, 2,565 in all60%
  4. Lucas CountyBest late August · 29 checklists that week, 2,217 in all60%
  5. Louisa CountyBest the second week of September · 17 checklists that week, 1,639 in all58%
  6. Bremer CountyBest early September · 77 checklists that week, 3,421 in all58%

Common questions

When do hummingbirds arrive in Iowa?
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach Iowa in late April, are common by the second week of May, peak in early September (31% of checklists), and most are gone by late September. They are the only regular hummingbirds in Iowa.
When do hummingbirds leave Iowa?
Most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have left Iowa by late September, 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 Iowa?
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is reported most often in early September, on about 31% of Iowa checklists.