Here’s When Hummingbirds Make Their Return To Illinois

We've been feeding and enjoying the company of hummingbirds in our back yard for longer than I can remember, yet every year I end up having to try to figure out when the best time is to put up the hummingbird feeders for the season, or take them down because it's time for the little birds to migrate south.

It won't be long before hummingbirds begin their long-distance trek from Mexico and other warm-weather spots they hang out in over the winter to Illinois, where they'll spend spring, summer, and early fall.

Some are heading farther north, going into Wisconsin, Minnesota, and on into Canada. The main two species that will be around here in Northern Illinois are the ruby-throated hummingbird, and the Rufous hummingbird.

Hummingbirds Time Their Migration Arrival To Coincide With The Opening Of Spring Flowers Here In Illinois, But Sometimes They Get Here Too Early

Not having opposable thumbs, they can't bring up a weather app to check the extended forecast for places they're heading to, so they just have to hope that the flowers are ready when they get there. If the flowers aren't blooming, the hummingbirds have a food problem.

And that's where you come in to help them survive.

The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Is The Only Species To Regularly Nest East Of The Mississippi River, And It's The Most Common Hummingbird In Illinois

So, when should we be ready for them? According to IllinoisRaptorCenter.org:

During migration, many ruby-throated hummingbirds make an incredible 18 hour trip across the Gulf of Mexico, arriving totally exhausted at their destination. Ruby-throated hummingbirds usually arrive in central Illinois around May 1st, so it is a good idea to have your feeders in place by mid-April.

However, in cases of unseasonably warm weather, those hummingbirds headed for Illinois might leave sooner and get to Illinois before the first of May.