Hummingbirds in Iowa in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see hummingbirds in Iowa. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 92 of the 400 sightings logged across the year (23%), 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 Iowa
23%
of yearly sightings
92
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
400
verified records a year
April 0.8%, May 23%, June 14.5%. Busiest month is September at 25%.
400 verified observations of hummingbirds in Iowa, recorded across 8 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hummingbirds are recorded in Iowa
Peak month
September
100 records (25% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 0 | 0% |
| April | 3 | 0.8% |
| Maypeak | 92 | 23% |
| June | 58 | 14.5% |
| July | 53 | 13.3% |
| Augustpeak | 88 | 22% |
| Septemberpeak | 100 | 25% |
| October | 4 | 1% |
| November | 0 | 0% |
| December | 2 | 0.5% |
Hummingbirds you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | 388 |
| Rufous Hummingbird | 4 |
| Mexican Violetear | 1 |
In Iowa, May carries 23% of the year's hummingbirds sightings, about 14.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 8 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (0.8%) into May, and it heads toward June (14.5%) 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 Iowa are Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird and Mexican Violetear. 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 Hummingbird388 records
- Rufous Hummingbird4 records
- Mexican Violetear1 records
Plan your hummingbird trip in Iowa
Start with live tours near Effigy Mounds National Monument, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Effigy Mounds National Monument
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 Effigy Mounds National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best hummingbird viewing area in Iowa.
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Broader backupBook a hummingbird tour in Iowa
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 Iowa in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 92 of the 400 verified hummingbirds sightings logged in Iowa across the year, which is 23% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see hummingbirds in Iowa?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of September, May and August.
What month is best for hummingbirds in Iowa?+
September is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through September, May and August, based on 400 verified observations.
Which hummingbirds are you most likely to see in Iowa?+
The most-recorded species in Iowa are Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird and Mexican Violetear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See hummingbirds in Iowa in other months
More places to see hummingbirds
More wildlife in Iowa