Hummingbirds in California in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see hummingbirds in California. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 14,938 of the 132,678 sightings logged across the year (11.3%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Peak month for hummingbirds in California
11.3%
of yearly sightings
14,938
records in May
#3
busiest month of 12
132,678
verified records a year
April 16.3%, May 11.3%, June 6.7%. Busiest month is April at 16.3%.
132,678 verified observations of hummingbirds in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hummingbirds are recorded in California
Peak month
April
21,658 records (16.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 11,128 | 8.4% |
| February | 12,811 | 9.7% |
| Marchpeak | 16,213 | 12.2% |
| Aprilpeak | 21,658 | 16.3% |
| Maypeak | 14,938 | 11.3% |
| June | 8,833 | 6.7% |
| July | 8,073 | 6.1% |
| August | 8,002 | 6% |
| September | 8,294 | 6.3% |
| October | 7,533 | 5.7% |
| November | 7,039 | 5.3% |
| December | 8,156 | 6.1% |
Hummingbirds you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Anna's Hummingbird | 77,567 |
| Allen's Hummingbird | 23,692 |
| Costa's Hummingbird | 10,630 |
| Black-chinned Hummingbird | 4,099 |
| Rufous Hummingbird | 2,514 |
| Calliope Hummingbird | 661 |
| Broad-billed Hummingbird | 156 |
| Anna's × Costa's Hummingbird | 38 |
In California, May carries 11.3% of the year's hummingbirds sightings, about 3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from April (16.3%) into May, and it heads toward June (6.7%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The hummingbirds most often recorded in California are Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird and Costa's Hummingbird. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which hummingbirds you are most likely to see
- Anna's Hummingbird77,567 records
- Allen's Hummingbird23,692 records
- Costa's Hummingbird10,630 records
- Black-chinned Hummingbird4,099 records
- Rufous Hummingbird2,514 records
- Calliope Hummingbird661 records
Plan your hummingbird trip in California
Start with live tours near Alcatraz Island, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Alcatraz Island
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main hummingbird viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Alcatraz Island
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best hummingbird viewing area in California.
Viator
Broader backupBook a hummingbird tour in California
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see hummingbirds in California in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 14,938 of the 132,678 verified hummingbirds sightings logged in California across the year, which is 11.3% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see hummingbirds in California?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, March and May.
What month is best for hummingbirds in California?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, March and May, based on 132,678 verified observations.
Which hummingbirds are you most likely to see in California?+
The most-recorded species in California are Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird and Costa's Hummingbird, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See hummingbirds in California in other months
More places to see hummingbirds
More wildlife in California