Hummingbirds in South Dakota in August
Yes, August is one of the best months to see hummingbirds in South Dakota. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 47 of the 133 sightings logged across the year (35.3%), 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 28, 2026.
Peak month for hummingbirds in South Dakota
35.3%
of yearly sightings
47
records in August
#1
busiest month of 12
133
verified records a year
July 16.5%, August 35.3%, September 12%. Busiest month is August at 35.3%.
133 verified observations of hummingbirds in South Dakota, recorded across 7 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hummingbirds are recorded in South Dakota
Peak month
August
47 records (35.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 0 | 0% |
| April | 1 | 0.8% |
| May | 17 | 12.8% |
| Junepeak | 27 | 20.3% |
| Julypeak | 22 | 16.5% |
| Augustpeak | 47 | 35.3% |
| September | 16 | 12% |
| October | 3 | 2.3% |
| November | 0 | 0% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Hummingbirds you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | 86 |
| Broad-tailed Hummingbird | 24 |
| Rufous Hummingbird | 9 |
| Black-chinned Hummingbird | 4 |
| Calliope Hummingbird | 4 |
| Anna's Hummingbird | 2 |
| Costa's Hummingbird | 1 |
In South Dakota, August carries 35.3% of the year's hummingbirds sightings, about 27 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 7 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from July (16.5%) into August, and it heads toward September (12%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so August is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The hummingbirds most often recorded in South Dakota are Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird and Rufous Hummingbird. Those counts are annual totals rather than a August split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in August itself.
Which hummingbirds you are most likely to see
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird86 records
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird24 records
- Rufous Hummingbird9 records
- Black-chinned Hummingbird4 records
- Calliope Hummingbird4 records
- Anna's Hummingbird2 records
Plan your hummingbird trip in South Dakota
Start with live tours near Badlands National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Live tours nearbySee live tours near Badlands National Park
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main hummingbird viewing area.
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Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best hummingbird viewing area in South Dakota.
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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 South Dakota in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 47 of the 133 verified hummingbirds sightings logged in South Dakota across the year, which is 35.3% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see hummingbirds in South Dakota?+
August is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of August, June and July.
What month is best for hummingbirds in South Dakota?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, June and July, based on 133 verified observations.
Which hummingbirds are you most likely to see in South Dakota?+
The most-recorded species in South Dakota are Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird and Rufous Hummingbird, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See hummingbirds in South Dakota in other months
More wildlife in South Dakota