Hummingbirds in Arizona

Arizona is entering peak hummingbird season, and over the next few months you can expect one of the highest species counts in the entire U.S. Several species will pass through on migration, and a handful will stay to nest in the state’s deserts, canyons, and mountain foothills. 

Species Passing Through Arizona in the Coming Months

Arizona sees 15+ species during spring and summer migration, with activity building from late February through early September. Peak movement is April–June.

 Most common migrants you’ll see:

- Rufous Hummingbird – Major southbound movement in late July–August; some early individuals appear in spring.  

- Broad-tailed Hummingbird – Arrives March–April; common in higher elevations.  

- Black-chinned Hummingbird – Very common migrant; numbers rise April–June.  

- Broad-billed Hummingbird – A signature Arizona species; strong migrant presence in spring and summer.  

- Lucifer Hummingbird – Seen mainly in SE Arizona canyons; rare but regular.  

- Costa’s Hummingbird – Desert specialist; present year‑round but also migrates locally.  

Additional species that may appear:

- Calliope 

- Allen’s 

- Violet-crowned 

- Berylline (rare) 

- White-eared (rare) 

- Blue-throated Mountain-gem (higher elevations)

Southern Arizona, especially Sierra Vista, Ramsey Canyon, and the Sky Island, is the best place in the U.S. to see this diversity.

Which Species Stay to Nest in Arizona?

Several species nest in Arizona, not just pass through.

Year‑round or nesting residents

- Anna’s Hummingbird – Increasingly common year‑round in Phoenix and Tucson.  

- Costa’s Hummingbird – Breeds in desert scrub east of Tucson in early spring.  

- Black-chinned Hummingbird – Nests widely in riparian areas and woodlands around Phoenix and SE Arizona.  

- Broad-billed Hummingbird – Nests in SE Arizona woodlands.  

- Broad-tailed Hummingbird – Nests in mountain meadows and forests from March–August.  

Nesting timing

- Early nesters: Costa’s (late winter–early spring) 

- Main nesting season: April–August for most species 

- Late summer boom: Monsoon rains bring a surge of migrants and local nesting activity.

What to Expect in Arizona Over the Next Few Months

February–March

- Early arrivals: Costa’s, Anna’s, Black-chinned 

- Broad-tailed begin appearing in higher elevations

April–June (Peak northbound migration)

- Highest diversity 

- Nesting underway for resident species 

- Broad-billed, Black-chinned, Costa’s, and Broad-tailed abundant

July–August (Monsoon season)

- Massive influx of migrants, especially Rufous 

- Up to 15 species possible in SE Arizona in exceptional years

Arizona is about to host one of the richest hummingbird migrations in North America, with many species passing through and several staying to breed. If you’re planning a trip or advising customers, the next few months, especially April through August, are prime time.