Best Time to See Hummingbirds in Illinois
August, September and May is the best time to see hummingbirds in Illinois. Based on 2,981 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hummingbirds are most active across the year in Illinois.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 30, 2026.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird · Dmitry Mozzherin CC BY
Anna's Hummingbird · threelark CC BY
Ruby-throated Hummingbird · Mike B CC BY-SA
2,981 verified observations of hummingbirds in Illinois, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hummingbirds are recorded in Illinois
Peak month
August
791 records (26.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3 | 0.1% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 2 | 0.1% |
| April | 31 | 1% |
| Maypeak | 549 | 18.4% |
| June | 385 | 12.9% |
| July | 485 | 16.3% |
| Augustpeak | 791 | 26.5% |
| Septemberpeak | 659 | 22.1% |
| October | 45 | 1.5% |
| November | 22 | 0.7% |
| December | 9 | 0.3% |
Hummingbirds you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | 2,911 |
| Broad-billed Hummingbird | 26 |
| Rufous Hummingbird | 21 |
| Anna's Hummingbird | 9 |
| Broad-tailed Hummingbird | 5 |
| Mexican Violetear | 4 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Illinois
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when hummingbirds are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for hummingbirds sit around 54 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38°F | 23°F | 3" |
| Feb | 40°F | 22°F | 3.1" |
| Mar | 53°F | 34°F | 4.8" |
| Apr | 63°F | 43°F | 4.1" |
| Maybest time | 73°F | 54°F | 4.6" |
| Jun | 83°F | 64°F | 3.5" |
| Jul | 85°F | 68°F | 4.3" |
| Augbest time | 83°F | 66°F | 3.9" |
| Sepbest time | 79°F | 61°F | 3" |
| Oct | 65°F | 48°F | 4.9" |
| Nov | 52°F | 35°F | 1.8" |
| Dec | 45°F | 29°F | 2.3" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Illinois. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on hummingbirds in Illinois:
Sightings of hummingbirds in Illinois peak in August, when 791 of the year's 2,981 verified observations are logged — about 26.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through August, September and May.
The quietest stretch is February, when hummingbirds are hardest to find — no verified records exist for February. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The hummingbirds you are most likely to encounter in Illinois are Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Broad-billed Hummingbird and Rufous Hummingbird — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see hummingbirds in Illinois
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lincoln Home National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument — National Monument
- Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- New Philadelphia National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Pullman National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hummingbirds in Illinois?+
August is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through August, September and May, based on 2,981 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hummingbirds hardest to see in Illinois?+
February is the quietest month for hummingbirds in Illinois, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are hummingbirds active year-round in Illinois?+
Hummingbirds are recorded in 11 of 12 months in Illinois, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in August.
More places to see hummingbirds
More wildlife in Illinois