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 return to Arizona? They typically begin their journey at the end of winter and into the spring. So, expect to see these graceful creatures from late February to May. Are you excited to see them - we are! Here's everything you need to know about hummingbird migration in Arizona this season:

At a maximum of five inches long, hummingbirds are by far the smallest type of bird on earth. Some weighing as little as a penny - yes a penny! But don't let their tiny size fool you, they're much mightier than they look.

Every year, they embark on their spring migration and pass over the Grand Canyon State in astounding numbers. There are several species that are common in Arizona and although their migratory path doesn't 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.

What I love the most is that hummingbirds come in many different colors, shapes, and sizes. Their coloring includes bright pinks, reds, emeralds, light yellows, and grays. The color patterns vary depending on the gender, but the male hummingbirds are typically the most colorful.

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.

So, when do hummingbirds come back to Arizona? Peak migration activity typically occurs in April, at least with regard to our state. 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, so you can even spot these creatures as early as late February. To recap, the best time to see hummingbirds in Arizona is from late winter to early spring.

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. The best time to leave out hummingbird feeders in Arizona is just before their anticipated arrival.

Hopefully, we answered the question, "When is the best time to see hummingbirds in Arizona?" If you find our tips or suggestions for the much-anticipated hummingbird migration in Arizona helpful, share this article with your birdwatching friends.

What is your favorite thing to do in Arizona in spring? Visit our nomination page and tell us all about it. We'd love to hear from you! If you're searching for more places to see gorgeous birds in Arizona, check out the Rio Salado Audubon Center in Phoenix.