WhenToBird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird · Archilochus colubris

When Do Hummingbirds Arrive in New York?

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

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach New York in late April, are common by the second week of May, peak in late August (22% of checklists), and most are gone by mid September. They are the only regular hummingbirds in New York.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 22-30late April
Common byMay 8-14the second week of May
PeakAug 22-31late August
Most gone bySep 15-21mid September

Best: late August. First arrivals late April; most are gone by mid September. Peak: on about 22% of New York 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 New York, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Ruby-throated HummingbirdApr 22-30May 8-14Aug 22-31Sep 15-2122%
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 New York 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 New York

Best counties for Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Oswego CountyBest mid August · 489 checklists that week, 39,208 in all49%
  2. Schoharie CountyBest mid August · 156 checklists that week, 10,483 in all47%
  3. Greene CountyBest mid August · 275 checklists that week, 16,655 in all45%
  4. Cattaraugus CountyBest mid August · 144 checklists that week, 12,342 in all43%
  5. Putnam CountyBest early September · 212 checklists that week, 13,177 in all42%
  6. Oneida CountyBest mid August · 394 checklists that week, 24,439 in all42%

Common questions

When do hummingbirds arrive in New York?
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach New York in late April, are common by the second week of May, peak in late August (22% of checklists), and most are gone by mid September. They are the only regular hummingbirds in New York.
When do hummingbirds leave New York?
Most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have left New York 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 New York?
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is reported most often in late August, on about 22% of New York checklists.