WhenToBird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird · Archilochus colubris

When Do Hummingbirds Arrive in Virginia?

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

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach Virginia in the second week of April, are common by late April, peak in late August (32% of checklists), and most are gone by early October. They are the only regular hummingbirds in Virginia.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 8-14the second week of April
Common byApr 22-30late April
PeakAug 22-31late August
Most gone byOct 1-7early October

Best: late August. First arrivals the second week of April; most are gone by early October. Peak: on about 32% of Virginia checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Marnot usually seen
  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 Virginia, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Ruby-throated HummingbirdApr 8-14Apr 22-30Aug 22-31Oct 1-732%
0%10%20%30%40%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 Virginia 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 Virginia

Best counties for Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Patrick CountyBest early September · 45 checklists that week, 3,252 in all73%
  2. Buchanan CountyBest early September · 30 checklists that week, 1,612 in all71%
  3. New Kent CountyBest mid August · 71 checklists that week, 5,342 in all68%
  4. Powhatan CountyBest mid August · 53 checklists that week, 5,825 in all66%
  5. Richmond CountyBest mid August · 59 checklists that week, 3,905 in all66%
  6. Manassas CountyBest late July · 67 checklists that week, 2,729 in all61%

Common questions

When do hummingbirds arrive in Virginia?
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach Virginia in the second week of April, are common by late April, peak in late August (32% of checklists), and most are gone by early October. They are the only regular hummingbirds in Virginia.
When do hummingbirds leave Virginia?
Most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have left Virginia 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 Virginia?
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is reported most often in late August, on about 32% of Virginia checklists.