The world is a place that is constantly changing. Luckily for us, there are a few things we can always count on like beautiful summers, chilly winters, and colorful springs. Speaking of spring, there’s another thing we can always count on: the wonderful arrival of thousands of hummingbirds, in droves, during their annual migration. That’s right, they’re coming soon, so prepare your best hummingbird feeders. When will hummingbirds arrive in Colorado? At the same time as most years, of course.

Beginning in mid-April, keep your eyes peeled, as hummingbirds should start trickling into the state! This is such a beautiful way to verify that spring is on its way, with hundreds of stunning, tiny birds passing through Colorado.
Charles J. Sharp/Wikimedia
We can expect literally thousands of the little guys as they make their annual trek north. And they do it quickly! Hummingbirds are known for their quickly fluttering wings and they can fly 500 miles in one stretch.
Every February, hummingbirds — who have been living in warm and humid places like South America and Mexico since late fall — begin making their long trip north, which can span hundreds to thousands of miles depending on the whereabouts of their nesting grounds. 
Wolfgang Wander/Wikimedia
For a bird so tiny, they sure are strong - and fascinating! There's a lot to learn about these beautiful and powerful creatures.
Despite beginning their trip in late February and traveling every day, the hummingbirds will not reach their final destination (typically Canada) until the very end of spring, thanks, in part, to their small frames and wings that flap 15 to 80 times per second.
Dan Pancamo/Wikimedia
More and more often hummingbirds are beginning to migrate earlier in the season. Their migratory patterns are dictated by food sources and weather, so this is in part due to overall warmer weather in North America and possibly in part due to more food sources than usual.
While their bodies are small and their destination is far, hummingbirds can still travel up to 23 miles per day, which is made possible by healthy hearts that beat up to 1,260 times per minute.
MDF/Wikimedia
That really puts our workouts to shame!
Do you wish to help the hummingbirds along with their journey?
Centpacrr/Wikimedia
You can do so by providing them with fresh sugar water, which should be emptied no later than 2 weeks after your last bird sighting. It's also advisable that you choose clear nectar over anything with red dyes in it - it is unknown whether red dyes in hummingbird food harms them, and you're definitely better safe than sorry. After all, they need to be in tip-top shape for the big trip! You can also attract hummingbirds by using brightly colored feeders and planting tubular flowers which are most conducive to the hummingbirds' long beaks.
What kind of hummingbirds can you expect to see during the springtime migration?
Tom Benson/Flickr
In Colorado, the most common types of hummingbirds include the Purple-throated Calliope, Ruby-Throated, and brown and green Rufous (pictured), though during the migration you may see tons of varieties! Each one has unique coloring and plumage, like a rainbow of beautiful birds.
These little guys are super-strong and super-ready to make their dramatic treks north for the year, and we are so very excited to see these beautiful little creatures in action!
Lara Eakins/Flickr
Keep an eye out throughout the spring to see how many different species you can spot. When you start noticing more and more hummingbirds out and about, it's a sure sign that spring is coming.

Did you get a chance to watch last spring’s migration? Tell us about it in the comments! Looking for some things to do in colorful Colorado? Check out these 12 day trip ideas in Colorado, one for each month of the year.

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Hummingbirds In Colorado

CC | February 19, 2023

What types of hummingbirds are in Colorado?

Ruby throated hummingbirds are the most common in North America, but there are some other species you might spot in Colorado this spring.

  • Ruby throated Hummingbird
  • Rufous Hummingbird
  • Anna’s Hummingbird
  • Black-chinned Hummingbird
  • Calliope Hummingbird
  • Broad-tailed hummingbird
  • Costa’s Hummingbird

 

When should I hang a hummingbird feeder in Colorado?

Bird lovers most often put out their feeders in springtime, but you can put out yours a little early if you’d like to catch the year-round hummingbirds. Either way, you’ll want to find the best hummingbird feeders for the tired, migrating birds.

Is it safe to feed hummingbirds in Colorado?

Yes, it is safe to feed hummingbirds in Colorado. After such a long journey they deserve a feast!

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