Hummingbirds in Illinois in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see hummingbirds in Illinois. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 549 of the 2,981 sightings logged across the year (18.4%), 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.
Peak month for hummingbirds in Illinois
18.4%
of yearly sightings
549
records in May
#3
busiest month of 12
2,981
verified records a year
April 1%, May 18.4%, June 12.9%. 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, May carries 18.4% of the year's hummingbirds sightings, about 10.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (1%) into May, and it heads toward June (12.9%) 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 Illinois are Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Broad-billed Hummingbird and Rufous 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
- 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 May?+
Yes. May accounts for 549 of the 2,981 verified hummingbirds sightings logged in Illinois across the year, which is 18.4% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see hummingbirds in Illinois?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of August, September and May.
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