WhenToBird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird · Archilochus colubris

When Do Hummingbirds Arrive in Michigan?

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

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach Michigan in late April, are common by the second week of May, peak in late August (25% of checklists), and most are gone by late September. They are the only regular hummingbirds in Michigan.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 22-30late April
Common byMay 8-14the second week of May
PeakAug 22-31late August
Most gone bySep 22-30late September

Best: late August. First arrivals late April; most are gone by late September. Peak: on about 25% of Michigan 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. Octrare
  11. Novnot usually seen
  12. Decnot usually seen

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

Hummingbirds in Michigan, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Ruby-throated HummingbirdApr 22-30May 8-14Aug 22-31Sep 22-3025%
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 Michigan 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 Michigan

Best counties for Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Ogemaw CountyBest early September · 102 checklists that week, 4,675 in all69%
  2. Lake CountyBest late August · 124 checklists that week, 2,682 in all51%
  3. Otsego CountyBest mid August · 157 checklists that week, 7,286 in all48%
  4. Van Buren CountyBest the second week of September · 250 checklists that week, 14,183 in all47%
  5. Wexford CountyBest mid August · 107 checklists that week, 5,111 in all46%
  6. Barry CountyBest late August · 791 checklists that week, 29,465 in all46%

Common questions

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