Arizona is home to over a dozen species of hummingbirds that migrate through or reside in the state throughout the year. The diversity of hummingbirds and timing of their presence varies across Arizona according to elevation, climate, and geographic location. Here is an overview of the best times and places to see hummingbirds in Arizona.
Key Facts About Hummingbird Seasons in Arizona
Below are some key facts about hummingbird activity in Arizona:
- The main hummingbird migration and breeding season in Arizona is March through September.
- Low elevation desert areas like Phoenix and Tucson may have hummingbirds as early as late January.
- Higher elevation mountain areas don’t see hummingbirds until May or June.
- Late summer and early fall is the peak time to see hummingbird diversity and numbers throughout the state.
- A few hummingbird species like Anna’s and Costa’s reside in Arizona year-round, especially in urban areas.
- Rufous hummingbirds are the most common spring and fall migratory species.
- The Mexican vipers, magnificent, blue-throated, broad-tailed, black-chinned, and calliope hummingbirds pass through on migration.
- Late fall through early spring, Arizona hosts wintering hummingbirds like rufous, black-chinned, Anna’s, and Costa’s.
Spring Hummingbirds in Arizona
Spring is the beginning of the main hummingbird season in Arizona. Here’s an overview of the species arriving and passing through the state in spring:
- Rufous Hummingbirds – The most common spring migrant in Arizona. They arrive as early as late January and stay until June.
- Broad-tailed Hummingbirds – Begin arriving in high elevation mountain areas in April and May. They breed in Arizona throughout the summer.
- Black-chinned Hummingbirds – Arrive in mid to high elevation mountain areas like the Catalinas and Chiricahuas in April. Also a summer breeding resident.
- Anna’s Hummingbirds – While some are year-round residents, more arrive in spring and stay through fall, especially in urban areas like Tucson.
- Costa’s Hummingbirds – Primarily a desert species that starts arriving as early as January. They breed in Arizona spring through fall.
- Calliope, Broad-billed, Violet-crowned – Uncommon spring migrants usually only seen in southeast Arizona in April/May.
Late March through May offers the best spring hummingbird watching throughout most of Arizona. By late May, all the breeding hummingbirds have arrived and diversity peaks in most areas.
Summer Hummingbirds in Arizona
The summer months of June through August are when Arizona’s breeding hummingbirds nest and raise their young. Some species like the rufous only pass through in spring, while others take up summer residency. Here are the common summer hummingbird residents:
- Broad-tailed – Widespread breeding species in mountain pine and mixed conifer forests.
- Black-chinned – Breeds in scrub, woodlands, canyons of mid-high elevations.
- Anna’s – Common breeder in urban areas, natural desert washes and oases.
- Costa’s – Breeds in the desert, especially Sonoran Desert areas like Tucson.
- Rivoli’s (formerly Magnificent) – Uncommon summer breeder in southeast Arizona’s sky islands.
- Blue-throated – Rare summer resident of the Chiricahua and Santa Rita Mountains.
Although fewer migratory species pass through in summer, this is the nesting season and a time when birds are very active at feeders as they fuel up on nectar and insects to feed their young. Southeast Arizona and the sky islands support the greatest breeding diversity in the state.
Fall Hummingbird Migration in Arizona
August through October marks the peak of the fall hummingbird migration through Arizona. Numbers rapidly build through August as the nesting season ends. Early fall brings the highest diversity of hummingbird species statewide as migrants return from more northerly breeding grounds.
Some excellent places to spot migrating hummingbirds in Arizona during September include:
- Ramsey Canyon Preserve near Sierra Vista
- Madera Canyon near Green Valley
- Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve
- Mount Lemmon near Tucson
- West Clear Creek near Camp Verde
- Ash Creek near Sedona
The Mexican vireos are rare but regular fall migrants through southeast Arizona that should not be missed. By late October, most hummingbird activity subsides though rufous, black-chinned, Anna’s, and Costa’s may linger into November.
Winter Hummingbirds in Arizona
Arizona hosts a variety of wintering hummingbird species between the months of November and February. Most numerous are Anna’s and Costa’s hummingbirds, which commonly overwinter in urban residential areas across central and southern Arizona. Here are some top spots for winter hummer watching:
- Tucson and Phoenix metro areas
- Lower Santa Cruz River from Tucson to Nogales
- Green Valley near Tucson
- Casa Grande and Coolidge
- Yuma and vicinity
Rufous hummingbirds are also regular winter residents from November through February, using desert oases and lowland riparian areas. Southeast Arizona hosts good numbers of overwintering rufous, along with occasional black-chinned and calliope hummingbirds at feeders.
Best Hummingbird Watching By Region
Following is an overview of prime hummingbird viewing periods for some of Arizona’s major geographic regions:
| Region | Best Viewing Period |
|---|---|
| Phoenix and Central Arizona deserts | April through May fall migration |
| Tucson and southern Arizona deserts | July through September monsoons and fall migration |
| Chiricahua Mountains | May through September summer and fall migration |
| Santa Catalina Mountains | April through October spring through fall |
| Sedona and Central Arizona | May through September spring and fall migration |
| Northeast Arizona mountains | June through August summer breeding season |
| Northwest Arizona deserts | February through April early spring arrival |
Conclusion
To summarize, while hummingbirds can be found somewhere in Arizona nearly year-round, late spring through early fall offers the peak of diversity and numbers for most of the state. Southeast Arizona hosts the highest density and species variety from April through September. Urban centers, riparian corridors, and mountain ranges provide the best habitat. With so many charismatic species migrating through and breeding in the state, Arizona provides excellent hummingbird watching opportunities for birders and nature enthusiasts.
