Hummingbirds in Illinois in July
Yes, July is a good month to see hummingbirds in Illinois. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 485 of the 2,981 sightings logged across the year (16.3%), 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 30, 2026.
Good month for hummingbirds in Illinois
16.3%
of yearly sightings
485
records in July
#4
busiest month of 12
2,981
verified records a year
June 12.9%, July 16.3%, August 26.5%. Busiest month is August at 26.5%.
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 |
In Illinois, July carries 16.3% of the year's hummingbirds sightings, about 8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from June (12.9%) into July, and it heads toward August (26.5%) after. The busiest month is August (26.5%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The hummingbirds most often recorded in Illinois are Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Broad-billed Hummingbird and Rufous Hummingbird. Those counts are annual totals rather than a July split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in July itself.
Which hummingbirds you are most likely to see
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird2,911 records
- Broad-billed Hummingbird26 records
- Rufous Hummingbird21 records
- Anna's Hummingbird9 records
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird5 records
- Mexican Violetear4 records
Plan your hummingbird trip in Illinois
Start with live tours near Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main hummingbird viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best hummingbird viewing area in Illinois.
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Broader backupBook a hummingbird tour in Illinois
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 Illinois in July?+
Yes. July accounts for 485 of the 2,981 verified hummingbirds sightings logged in Illinois across the year, which is 16.3% of the annual total.
Is July a good time to see hummingbirds in Illinois?+
July is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though August and September is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for hummingbirds in Illinois?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, September and May, based on 2,981 verified observations.
Which hummingbirds are you most likely to see in Illinois?+
The most-recorded species in Illinois are Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Broad-billed Hummingbird and Rufous Hummingbird, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See hummingbirds in Illinois in other months
More places to see hummingbirds
More wildlife in Illinois