Year after year, avid birdwatchers await the return of the beloved hummingbird. Because these dainty birds follow a specific migration pattern that brings them to the same regions time and time again, it’s possible to predict when hummingbirds might arrive in your yard—especially with the help of online resources. Luckily, there’s a real-time migration map that includes data from users in your area, who report details like the time of day they spotted the hummingbirds and how their current sightings compare to last year’s sightings.
Beyond tracking their migration patterns across the country, there are a few other easy ways you can attract hummingbirds to your yard. The primary way is through planting lots of bright-colored tubular flowers in your backyard garden—hummingbirds have long, narrow bills and extendable tongues that render them capable of reaching deep inside these tube-like flowers where nectar is stored. This consistent food source makes it more likely these tiny creatures will return for more. Incorporating a sugar water feeder, creating a shelter with shrubs, and adding a bird bath are a few other ways to attract hummingbirds, too.
Learn more on when you can expect your first hummingbird sighting, plus more information on their migration patterns.
When You Might See Hummingbirds in Your Yard
Typically, hummingbirds spend the winter in Central America or Mexico before migrating north to the United States. Using sighting reports from their viewers throughout the migration season, Hummingbird Central has created an interactive map that details their current location.
If you're a birdwatching expert, the site even tracks sightings of different species of hummingbirds so you know exactly which type to look for. From ruby-throated to black-chinned hummingbirds, the map has a colored icon for each type. Just use the key to identify which birds are in your area.
When you spot a hummingbird, you can submit your sighting to Hummingbird Central, which helps contribute to the accuracy of the map.
At the end of the 2024 migration season, the site released a video detailing the migration journey for the year. Although it's based on 2024 sightings, the animation provides a helpful visualization of where hummingbirds might be in future weeks or months in the 2026 season so you know when to expect these spring visitors.
Laura Millar (she/her) is a freelance lifestyle journalist for Good Housekeeping. She holds a degree in Film, TV & Media from the University of Michigan, and was previously the assistant lifestyle editor for GH, where she covered home design. Her byline has appeared in NBC's TODAY.com, PEOPLE, Real Simple, and Business Insider.
