WhenToBird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird · Archilochus colubris

When Do Hummingbirds Arrive in Nebraska?

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

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach Nebraska in late April, are common by early May, peak in early September (14% of checklists), and most are gone by early October. They are the only regular hummingbirds in Nebraska.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 22-30late April
Common byMay 1-7early 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 14% of Nebraska checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Marnot usually seen
  4. Aprrare
  5. Maycommon
  6. Jununcommon
  7. Juluncommon
  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 Nebraska, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Ruby-throated HummingbirdApr 22-30May 1-7Sep 1-7Oct 1-714%
0%5%10%15%20%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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska

Best counties for Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Otoe CountyBest early August · 60 checklists that week, 3,856 in all64%
  2. Hall CountyBest early September · 91 checklists that week, 6,387 in all41%
  3. Wayne CountyBest the second week of September · 24 checklists that week, 1,960 in all40%
  4. Sarpy CountyBest early September · 276 checklists that week, 14,942 in all35%
  5. Adams CountyBest mid September · 12 checklists that week, 936 in all33%
  6. Nance CountyBest mid August · 18 checklists that week, 356 in all33%

Common questions

When do hummingbirds arrive in Nebraska?
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach Nebraska in late April, are common by early May, peak in early September (14% of checklists), and most are gone by early October. They are the only regular hummingbirds in Nebraska.
When do hummingbirds leave Nebraska?
Most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have left Nebraska 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 Nebraska?
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is reported most often in early September, on about 14% of Nebraska checklists.