Hummingbirds in Montana in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see hummingbirds in Montana. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 184 of the 680 sightings logged across the year (27.1%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Peak month for hummingbirds in Montana
27.1%
of yearly sightings
184
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
680
verified records a year
April 3.1%, May 27.1%, June 22.1%. Busiest month is July at 27.9%.
680 verified observations of hummingbirds in Montana, recorded across 9 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hummingbirds are recorded in Montana
Peak month
July
190 records (27.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0.3% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 0 | 0% |
| April | 21 | 3.1% |
| Maypeak | 184 | 27.1% |
| Junepeak | 150 | 22.1% |
| Julypeak | 190 | 27.9% |
| August | 118 | 17.4% |
| September | 9 | 1.3% |
| October | 4 | 0.6% |
| November | 0 | 0% |
| December | 2 | 0.3% |
Hummingbirds you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Calliope Hummingbird | 298 |
| Rufous Hummingbird | 219 |
| Black-chinned Hummingbird | 111 |
| Broad-tailed Hummingbird | 22 |
| Anna's Hummingbird | 9 |
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | 3 |
In Montana, May carries 27.1% of the year's hummingbirds sightings, about 18.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 9 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (3.1%) into May, and it heads toward June (22.1%) 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 Montana are Calliope Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird and Black-chinned 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
- Calliope Hummingbird298 records
- Rufous Hummingbird219 records
- Black-chinned Hummingbird111 records
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird22 records
- Anna's Hummingbird9 records
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird3 records
Plan your hummingbird trip in Montana
Start with live tours near Big Hole National Battlefield, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Big Hole National Battlefield
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 Big Hole National Battlefield
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best hummingbird viewing area in Montana.
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Broader backupBook a hummingbird tour in Montana
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 Montana in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 184 of the 680 verified hummingbirds sightings logged in Montana across the year, which is 27.1% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see hummingbirds in Montana?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of July, May and June.
What month is best for hummingbirds in Montana?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, May and June, based on 680 verified observations.
Which hummingbirds are you most likely to see in Montana?+
The most-recorded species in Montana are Calliope Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird and Black-chinned Hummingbird, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See hummingbirds in Montana in other months
More places to see hummingbirds
More wildlife in Montana