WhenToBird

5 hummingbird species in Texas

When Do Hummingbirds Arrive in Texas?

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

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Black-chinned Hummingbirds, and Rufous Hummingbirds are the hummingbirds you are most likely to see in Texas. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach Texas in the second week of March, are common by late March, peak in mid September (30% of checklists), and most are gone by late October.

When to look

First arrivalsMar 8-14the second week of March
Common byMar 22-31late March
PeakSep 15-21mid September
Most gone byOct 22-31late October

Best: mid September. First arrivals the second week of March; most are gone by late October. Peak: on about 30% of Texas checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Maruncommon
  4. Aprcommon
  5. Maycommon
  6. Jununcommon
  7. Juluncommon
  8. Augpeak season
  9. Seppeak season
  10. Octcommon
  11. Novrare
  12. Decnot usually seen

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

Hummingbirds in Texas, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Ruby-throated HummingbirdMar 8-14Mar 22-31Sep 15-21Oct 22-3130%
Black-chinned HummingbirdMar 1-7Mar 15-21Jul 8-14Sep 15-2117%
Rufous HummingbirdJul 22-31Jul 22-31Aug 22-31Mar 8-143.7%
Buff-bellied HummingbirdJun 15-21Jul 15-21Nov 8-14May 8-143.6%
Broad-tailed HummingbirdJul 8-14Jul 8-14Aug 15-21Nov 1-71.5%
0%10%20%30%40%Ruby-throated HummingbirdBlack-chinned HummingbirdRufous HummingbirdBuff-bellied HummingbirdJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Ruby-throated Hummingbird
  • Black-chinned Hummingbird
  • Rufous Hummingbird
  • Buff-bellied 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 Texas 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 Texas

Best counties for Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Hardin CountyBest mid September · 81 checklists that week, 4,379 in all82%
  2. Rains CountyBest the second week of September · 16 checklists that week, 1,265 in all80%
  3. Red River CountyBest late July · 23 checklists that week, 1,179 in all80%
  4. DeWitt CountyBest the second week of September · 80 checklists that week, 4,050 in all76%
  5. Angelina CountyBest mid September · 171 checklists that week, 10,009 in all74%
  6. Austin CountyBest the second week of September · 117 checklists that week, 7,190 in all73%

Common questions

When do hummingbirds arrive in Texas?
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach Texas in the second week of March, are common by late March, peak in mid September (30% of checklists), and most are gone by late October.
When do hummingbirds leave Texas?
Most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have left Texas by late October, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until early December.
When is the best time to see hummingbirds in Texas?
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is reported most often in mid September, on about 30% of Texas checklists.
Which hummingbirds are in Texas?
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Buff-bellied Hummingbird, and Broad-tailed Hummingbird are reported regularly; the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most common.