WhenToBird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird · Archilochus colubris

When Do Hummingbirds Arrive in North Carolina?

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

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach North Carolina in early April, are common by mid April, peak in early September (42% of checklists), and most are gone by early October. They are the only regular hummingbirds in North Carolina.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 1-7early April
Common byApr 15-21mid April
PeakSep 1-7early September
Most gone byOct 1-7early October

Best: early September. First arrivals early April; most are gone by early October. Peak: on about 42% of North Carolina checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Marrare
  4. Apruncommon
  5. Mayuncommon
  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 North Carolina, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Ruby-throated HummingbirdApr 1-7Apr 15-21Sep 1-7Oct 1-742%
0%20%40%60%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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina

Best counties for Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Gates CountyBest late July · 84 checklists that week, 4,066 in all83%
  2. Cleveland CountyBest early September · 106 checklists that week, 6,121 in all83%
  3. Granville CountyBest mid August · 73 checklists that week, 4,892 in all69%
  4. Madison CountyBest late August · 64 checklists that week, 6,254 in all68%
  5. Bladen CountyBest late August · 61 checklists that week, 3,758 in all68%
  6. Stokes CountyBest late August · 119 checklists that week, 5,660 in all67%

Common questions

When do hummingbirds arrive in North Carolina?
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach North Carolina in early April, are common by mid April, peak in early September (42% of checklists), and most are gone by early October. They are the only regular hummingbirds in North Carolina.
When do hummingbirds leave North Carolina?
Most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have left North Carolina by early October, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until mid October.
When is the best time to see hummingbirds in North Carolina?
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is reported most often in early September, on about 42% of North Carolina checklists.