WhenToBird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird · Archilochus colubris

When Do Hummingbirds Arrive in Wisconsin?

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

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach Wisconsin in early May, are common by the second week of May, peak in late August (30% of checklists), and most are gone by mid September. They are the only regular hummingbirds in Wisconsin.

When to look

First arrivalsMay 1-7early May
Common byMay 8-14the second week of May
PeakAug 22-31late August
Most gone bySep 15-21mid September

Best: late August. First arrivals early May; most are gone by mid September. Peak: on about 30% of Wisconsin 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. Octrare
  11. Novnot usually seen
  12. Decnot usually seen

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

Hummingbirds in Wisconsin, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Ruby-throated HummingbirdMay 1-7May 8-14Aug 22-31Sep 15-2130%
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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin

Best counties for Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Crawford CountyBest late August · 72 checklists that week, 4,271 in all72%
  2. Taylor CountyBest late August · 68 checklists that week, 4,326 in all70%
  3. Washburn CountyBest mid August · 165 checklists that week, 7,099 in all58%
  4. Langlade CountyBest mid August · 81 checklists that week, 5,023 in all55%
  5. Rusk CountyBest the second week of August · 66 checklists that week, 5,768 in all50%
  6. Vernon CountyBest late August · 230 checklists that week, 13,255 in all50%

Common questions

When do hummingbirds arrive in Wisconsin?
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach Wisconsin in early May, are common by the second week of May, peak in late August (30% of checklists), and most are gone by mid September. They are the only regular hummingbirds in Wisconsin.
When do hummingbirds leave Wisconsin?
Most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have left Wisconsin by mid 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 Wisconsin?
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is reported most often in late August, on about 30% of Wisconsin checklists.