There’s so much to love about springtime in Arizona. One of them is the arrival of thousands of beautiful hummingbirds. And the world’s smallest bird will soon begin its annual journey northward. That’s right, it’s time to prepare your best hummingbird feeders for their arrival. When will we see hummingbirds in Arizona? They typically enter and pass over Arizona in April and May during their migration. Here’s everything you need to know about hummingbirds in Arizona this season:

At a maximum of five inches long, hummingbirds are by far the smallest type of bird on earth. But they're much mightier than they look.
Watts/Flickr
Every year, they embark on their spring migration and pass over the Grand Canyon State in astounding numbers.
On this map, orange represents the migratory path of the Ruby-throated hummingbird.
Ken Thomas/Wikimedia
Although it doesn't appear to pass directly through Arizona, the birds spread out and fly over our state on their way to the Northern U.S. and Canada for the breeding season. Because of their small size and quick wing speed, hummingbirds can fly up to 1,300 miles in one stretch so it's no surprise they cover so much territory during their migration.
As this painting shows, hummingbirds come in many different colors, shapes, and sizes.
Ernst Haeckel/Kunstformen der Natur/Wikimedia
Arizona, particularly the southeastern corner of the state, is home to more hummingbird species than almost anywhere else across the country! They are beautiful and so much fun to observe. See how many different colorings and plumages you can spot on the different species at your hummingbird feeder.

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At least 13 varieties of hummingbirds have been spotted in the Phoenix area alone, most of which migrate from Central and South America.
Pedro Szekely/Flickr
The most prevalent type, known as Anna's hummingbird, actually lives in the Southwest year-round, as does the Black-chinned hummingbird. Many hummingbird names, like Black-chinned and Ruby-throated, are pretty straightforward descriptions of the birds, which is handy when you're watching for them.
So, when do hummingbirds come back to Arizona? Peak migration activity typically occurs in April, at least with regard to our state.
Renee Grayson/Flickr
Oftentimes, they're still arriving in May as well. In recent years hummingbirds in Arizona have been migrating earlier than usual due to the overall warming of the climate. To recap, the best time to see hummingbirds in Arizona is April and May.
To increase your chances of seeing hummingbirds up close this season, plant some of their favorite flowers.
DC Gardens/Flickr
Flowers with a tube-like structure or trumpet shape, especially those in hues of red, orange, and fuchsia, provide the most sustenance and therefore draw the biggest crowds. They're also perfectly shaped for the hummingbirds' long beaks. It's said that sometimes, should you wear red, they may or may not check you out and see if you're a flower as you watch them! Some are bolder than others, so always make sure to observe but don't touch! They're quite delicate little creatures.
Hanging up a feeder or two pretty much guarantees your home will be a hummingbird hot spot.
Dorian Wallender/Flickr
Be sure and clean it every other day to prevent a harmful buildup of mold and other bacteria. Try not to use nectar with any dyes in it - leave the red color to your hummingbird feeder and opt for the clear stuff in the feeders. They're quite territorial, though, so we advise that you put up more than one feeder in more than one part of the yard. If you already have a feeder, then prepare for some repeat guests. Hummingbirds are creatures of habit and often visit the same feeders during every migration. The best time to leave out hummingbird feeders in Arizona is just before their anticipated arrival.

Hopefully, we answered the question, “When do hummingbirds come back to Arizona?” If you have any other tips or suggestions for the much-anticipated arrival of hummingbirds in Arizona, let us know in the comments!

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Hummingbirds In Arizona

CC | February 23, 2023

What types of hummingbirds are in Arizona?

Although the Ruby-throated hummingbird and Anna’s hummingbird are some of the most common in Arizona, there’s a chance you might also see these other species during this year’s migration.

  • Ruby-throated Hummingbird
  • Rufous Hummingbird
  • Broad-tailed hummingbird
  • Allen’s Hummingbird
  • Anna’s Hummingbird
  • Black-chinned Hummingbird
  • Calliope Hummingbird
  • White-eared Hummingbird
  • Cinnamon Hummingbird
  • Lucifer sheartail
  • Rivioli’s Hummingbird

 

When should I hang a hummingbird feeder in Arizona?

Some hummingbirds actually don’t migrate; they stay in the U.S. year-round. You may want to leave your feeder out throughout the year as well for those birds. Otherwise, you can put your feeder out in the spring when the bulk of the migration happens. The biggest priority is putting out the best hummingbird feeders for the weary travelers.

Is it safe to feed hummingbirds in Arizona?

It is safe to feed hummingbirds in Arizona. After traveling all those miles, the hummingbirds deserve a feast!

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