Hummingbirds Monthly Calendar in Alabama: Your Guide to Peak Sightings

1. When do hummingbirds first appear in Alabama each spring?

The first Ruby-throated Hummingbirds usually arrive along the Gulf Coast in early to mid March. By late March, they reach central Alabama, and by early April, most of the state has birds. My mom keeps a journal and marks when she sees her first hummer each year; it almost always falls in the third week of March in Birmingham.

In Alabama, hummingbirds sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where in the state sightings are most likely. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear...

2. What is the peak month for hummingbird activity in Alabama?

May is the busiest month across Alabama. Females are building nests and males are defending feeders. You'll see the most feeding activity at dawn and dusk. If you want to see aggressive chases and aerial displays, sit near a feeder during late April through early June.

3. When should I put out my hummingbird feeder in Alabama?

Set out feeders by March 10 along the coast, March 20 in central Alabama, and April 1 in the northern counties. This matches the arrival calendar. Keep them up through mid-October for late migrants. I learned the hard way that putting feeders out too late can mean missing the early scouts.

4. What is the best monthly calendar for hummingbird migration in Alabama?

March: first arrivals, mostly males. April: numbers build, nesting begins. May: peak courtship and feeding. June: fledglings appear, less feeder activity. July: post-breeding lull, but still many birds. August: migrants from the north start passing through. September: strong migration, especially around Dauphin Island. October: stragglers, feeders can be left up until the end of the month.

See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.

5. Where are the best spots to see hummingbirds each month in Alabama?

For March and April, check coastal parks like Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge or Dauphin Island. In May and June, your own backyard is best, but try the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. July through September, any wooded area with flowers works well, but the Black Belt region has great habitat. For the best odds, visit a hummingbird banding station in August at the Alabama Wildlife Center.

6. How does weather affect hummingbird timing in Alabama?

Warm fronts in late February can push early migrants north faster. A cold snap in March can delay arrivals by a week. If you see a hummingbird in mid-February, it's likely a stray. I had one show up on February 23 one year, and it didn't survive the freeze. Stick to the calendar: March is the safe bet.