WhenToBird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird · Archilochus colubris

When Do Hummingbirds Arrive in Ohio?

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

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach Ohio in late April, are common by the second week of May, peak in late August (26% of checklists), and most are gone by late September. They are the only regular hummingbirds in Ohio.

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 26% of Ohio 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. Octuncommon
  11. Novnot usually seen
  12. Decnot usually seen

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

Hummingbirds in Ohio, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Ruby-throated HummingbirdApr 22-30May 8-14Aug 22-31Sep 22-3026%
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 Ohio 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 Ohio

Best counties for Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Perry CountyBest early September · 178 checklists that week, 6,489 in all70%
  2. Jefferson CountyBest mid August · 178 checklists that week, 11,124 in all59%
  3. Highland CountyBest the second week of September · 65 checklists that week, 4,966 in all54%
  4. Monroe CountyBest the second week of August · 10 checklists that week, 1,141 in all52%
  5. Hardin CountyBest the second week of August · 57 checklists that week, 4,583 in all50%
  6. Morrow CountyBest early September · 52 checklists that week, 3,725 in all50%

Common questions

When do hummingbirds arrive in Ohio?
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach Ohio in late April, are common by the second week of May, peak in late August (26% of checklists), and most are gone by late September. They are the only regular hummingbirds in Ohio.
When do hummingbirds leave Ohio?
Most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have left Ohio 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 Ohio?
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is reported most often in late August, on about 26% of Ohio checklists.