WhenToBird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird · Archilochus colubris

When Do Hummingbirds Arrive in Minnesota?

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

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach Minnesota in early May, are common by the second week of May, peak in late August (29% of checklists), and most are gone by mid September. They are the only regular hummingbirds in Minnesota.

When to look

First arrivalsMay 1-7early May
Common byMay 8-14the second week of May
PeakAug 22-31late August
Most gone bySep 15-21mid September

Best: late August. First arrivals early May; most are gone by mid September. Peak: on about 29% of Minnesota checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Marnot usually seen
  4. Aprnot usually seen
  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 Minnesota, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Ruby-throated HummingbirdMay 1-7May 8-14Aug 22-31Sep 15-2129%
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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota

Best counties for Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Le Sueur CountyBest early September · 89 checklists that week, 5,034 in all54%
  2. Todd CountyBest mid August · 132 checklists that week, 4,802 in all52%
  3. Wabasha CountyBest early September · 97 checklists that week, 6,548 in all49%
  4. Steele CountyBest late August · 190 checklists that week, 4,784 in all46%
  5. Renville CountyBest late August · 80 checklists that week, 2,020 in all44%
  6. Carver CountyBest early September · 394 checklists that week, 20,549 in all42%

Common questions

When do hummingbirds arrive in Minnesota?
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach Minnesota in early May, are common by the second week of May, peak in late August (29% of checklists), and most are gone by mid September. They are the only regular hummingbirds in Minnesota.
When do hummingbirds leave Minnesota?
Most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have left Minnesota by mid 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 Minnesota?
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is reported most often in late August, on about 29% of Minnesota checklists.