Hummingbirds are on their way!

A total of 12 states have received their first ruby-throated hummingbird reports of the season as these highly anticipated spring migrants make their way north.

We’ve received hummingbird reports from as far north as Kentucky, with Matilda in Caneyville reporting the state’s lone sighting to Journey North on March 21.

However, that does appear to be a bit of an outlier on the map, as it’s over 200 miles northeast of Tennessee’s only report so far, which came from Betty in Collierville on March 22.

“So happy to see those little hummingbirds again,” Betty wrote.

You can help us fill in the map with your hummingbird observations this spring. When you see your first hummingbird, let us know!

Last year’s first reports from Kentucky and Tennessee were on March 26 and March 30, respectively, so we’re still a little ahead of that timeline. Birdwatchers in these states should begin to see hummingbirds over the next few weeks as more arrive. 

If you’re wondering when hummingbirds will make their initial appearance in your state or province, we put together a pair of maps of last year’s initial sightings. Check them out to the right!

Keep in mind that these are the very first sightings of hummingbirds in each state or province, not when the bulk of hummingbirds will arrive. 

Movement in the Carolinas

In Pageland, South Carolina, Sheila reported a “healthy male ruby-throated hummer … 3 days earlier than last year’s 1st arrival.”

Dennis caught the back end of a male on camera on March 19 in Aiken, South Carolina, writing, “At 6:55 pm a male found 3 of my 4 feeders! He was super thirsty and drank a lot from the feeders. Unfortunately I only got a picture of his butt. So excited to have the hummers back in town!”

While it may feel a bit disheartening if you’re in a more southern state still awaiting your first sighting when others in states further north have already seen hummingbirds, the migration is just getting started. There are plenty of hummingbirds still on the move.

Don in Pineville, Louisiana, reported a sighting on March 24, writing, “A bit late for the first sighting, but we finally had our first visitor this afternoon - either a female or a young male.”

What about the West?

While the eastern United States only has one breeding hummingbird species, the West is more diverse, with parts of the country home to Anna’s, Allen’s, Calliope, Black-chinned Hummingbirds and more.

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird also follows a fairly clear migration pattern: north in the spring, south in the fall (mostly to Central America). In the West, some species may remain for the year, like Anna’s Hummingbirds, which winter as far north as the Canadian border.

Jill in Seven Bays, Washington, on the east side of the state, reported a hummingbird on March 23, writing, “This is the earliest we have seen a Hummingbird since moving here in 2019. The earliest we saw one before was 3/30/22, Male Calliope. We don't know if this is an Anna or a Calliope.”

Rufous Hummingbirds, which winter in southern Mexico before migrating up to the Pacific Northwest in the spring, have made their way into Canada already.

“First Rufous of the year, a male,” wrote Gary in Delta, British Columbia, on March 19. “He is now busy reminding the resident Annas (and us) who is back in charge.”

“First of the spring season! Cute bright male,” wrote Kat in Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, on March 22.