Keep Your Eyes Peeled, Thousands Of Hummingbirds Are Headed Right For Arizona During Their Migration This Spring
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 do hummingbirds arrive in Arizona? They typically enter and pass over Arizona in April and May during their migration. Here’s everything you need to know about the little guys 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.
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.
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.
At least 13 varieties of hummingbirds have been spotted in the Phoenix area alone, most of which migrate from Central and South America.
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.
Peak migration activity typically occurs in April, at least with regard to Arizona.
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 increase your chances of seeing hummingbirds up close this season, plant some of their favorite flowers.
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.
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.
Hopefully, we answered the question, “When will hummingbirds arrive in Arizona?” If you have any other tips or suggestions, let us know in the comments below!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
When will hummingbirds arrive in Arizona?
February 23, 2023
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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 humingbird
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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Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and changed her major twice (psychology, computer science, and finally criminal justice) before taking a leap of faith and dropping out to pursue a career in freelance writing.
Today, Katie writes for the Texas and Arizona pages of OnlyInYourState.com and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee, watching a crime TV show or scary movie.
