When Hummingbirds Return To The Midwest And Ohio Valley

Wildlife lovers, the wait is nearly over! It's almost time to put out your hummingbird feeders.

Hummingbirds are officially on the move, and their spring migration north is already underway. These tiny travelers spend the winter in Mexico and Central America before making their long journey back to the United States each spring.

When Hummingbirds Reach Our Region

According to migration timing estimates shared by meteorologist Matt Devitt, hummingbirds begin appearing in the southernmost parts of the U.S. in late winter before gradually pushing north.

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Here is what the general timeline looks like:

Now through mid-March across the Deep South
March 15th through March 31st across the Gulf Coast states
April 1st through April 15th across Tennessee and Kentucky, as well as Southern Indiana and Southern Illinois.
April 15th through April 30th across northern Indiana, northern Illinois
May 1st through May 15th across the northern portions of the Great Lakes region

For those of us in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee, that means hummingbirds typically begin arriving between late March and late April, depending on how far north you're located.

Of course, weather patterns can shift timing slightly from year to year, but this gives bird lovers a strong window to prepare.

Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash

How Far Can Hummingbirds Travel

Despite their tiny size, hummingbirds are incredibly powerful flyers. They can travel up to 23 miles in a single day and flap their wings between 15 and 80 times per second.

Their hearts can beat more than 1,000 times per minute, and before migration, they may increase their body weight by as much as 40 percent to fuel the journey.

Unlike many birds, hummingbirds migrate alone and travel during daylight hours.

When To Put Out Feeders

Experts generally recommend putting hummingbird feeders out about two weeks before your expected arrival window. That means:

Tennessee and Kentucky feeders can go out in mid-March

Southern Indiana and Southern Illinois feeders can go out by mid-March

Northern Indiana and Northern Illinois feeders can go out by early April

Putting feeders out early will not make them arrive sooner, but it will ensure they have a reliable food source when they do show up.

How You Can Help Track Migration

You can help track hummingbird migration by reporting sightings to Hummingbird Central. Citizen science reports help researchers and bird enthusiasts see how the migration progresses each spring.

If you spot your first hummingbird of the season, consider logging it. It helps paint a clearer picture of how these incredible birds move across the country.

Spring migration is one of the clearest signs that warmer days are ahead.

And if you listen closely, you might hear that familiar buzzing sound sooner than you think. Keep reading to learn how to attract hummingbirds and other wildlife to your yard.