WhenToBird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird · Archilochus colubris

When Do Hummingbirds Arrive in Tennessee?

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

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

When to look

First arrivalsApr 1-7early April
Common byApr 15-21mid April
PeakSep 8-14the second week of September
Most gone byOct 1-7early October

Best: the second week of September. First arrivals early April; most are gone by early October. Peak: on about 42% of Tennessee checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Marnot usually seen
  4. Apruncommon
  5. Maycommon
  6. Juncommon
  7. Julpeak season
  8. Augpeak season
  9. Seppeak season
  10. Octcommon
  11. Novnot usually seen
  12. Decnot usually seen

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

Hummingbirds in Tennessee, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Ruby-throated HummingbirdApr 1-7Apr 15-21Sep 8-14Oct 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee

Best counties for Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Weakley CountyBest mid September · 25 checklists that week, 2,092 in all93%
  2. Houston CountyBest late July · 24 checklists that week, 1,234 in all89%
  3. Union CountyBest mid August · 36 checklists that week, 2,525 in all85%
  4. Perry CountyBest the second week of August · 23 checklists that week, 3,047 in all81%
  5. Tipton CountyBest mid September · 15 checklists that week, 1,603 in all77%
  6. Carter CountyBest mid August · 99 checklists that week, 8,175 in all69%

Common questions

When do hummingbirds arrive in Tennessee?
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach Tennessee in early April, are common by mid April, peak in the second week of September (42% of checklists), and most are gone by early October. They are the only regular hummingbirds in Tennessee.
When do hummingbirds leave Tennessee?
Most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have left Tennessee 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 Tennessee?
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is reported most often in the second week of September, on about 42% of Tennessee checklists.