Best Time to See Hummingbirds in Washington
May, April and June is the best time to see hummingbirds in Washington. Based on 11,594 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hummingbirds are most active across the year in Washington.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Rufous Hummingbird · Public domain CC0
Anna's Hummingbird · Tuoichen CC BY
Anna's Hummingbird · Public domain CC0
11,594 verified observations of hummingbirds in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hummingbirds are recorded in Washington
Peak month
May
1,959 records (16.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 694 | 6% |
| February | 690 | 6% |
| March | 1,354 | 11.7% |
| Aprilpeak | 1,740 | 15% |
| Maypeak | 1,959 | 16.9% |
| Junepeak | 1,568 | 13.5% |
| July | 956 | 8.2% |
| August | 750 | 6.5% |
| September | 454 | 3.9% |
| October | 384 | 3.3% |
| November | 418 | 3.6% |
| December | 627 | 5.4% |
Hummingbirds you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Anna's Hummingbird | 8,331 |
| Rufous Hummingbird | 2,101 |
| Calliope Hummingbird | 523 |
| Black-chinned Hummingbird | 351 |
| Costa's Hummingbird | 4 |
| Anna's × Rufous Hummingbird | 3 |
| Black-chinned × Calliope Hummingbird | 2 |
| Black-chinned × Anna's Hummingbird | 1 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Washington
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when hummingbirds are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for hummingbirds sit around 33 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35°F | 24°F | 4.5" |
| Feb | 36°F | 22°F | 2.8" |
| Mar | 46°F | 28°F | 1.2" |
| Aprbest time | 56°F | 33°F | 1.3" |
| Maybest time | 67°F | 44°F | 1.2" |
| Junbest time | 76°F | 51°F | 0.9" |
| Jul | 86°F | 57°F | 0.2" |
| Aug | 86°F | 58°F | 0.3" |
| Sep | 74°F | 50°F | 1.1" |
| Oct | 59°F | 39°F | 1.7" |
| Nov | 42°F | 29°F | 3.6" |
| Dec | 33°F | 23°F | 3.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Washington. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on hummingbirds in Washington:
Sightings of hummingbirds in Washington peak in May, when 1,959 of the year's 11,594 verified observations are logged — about 16.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, April and June.
The quietest stretch is October, November and September, when hummingbirds are hardest to find — October sees just 384 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The hummingbirds you are most likely to encounter in Washington are Anna's Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird and Calliope Hummingbird — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see hummingbirds in Washington
- Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve — National Historical Reserve
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Mount Rainier National Park — National Park
- Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hummingbirds in Washington?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, April and June, based on 11,594 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hummingbirds hardest to see in Washington?+
October is the quietest month for hummingbirds in Washington, with only 384 verified records.
Are hummingbirds active year-round in Washington?+
Hummingbirds are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Washington, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see hummingbirds
More wildlife in Washington