Hummingbird Migration in Idaho

Ten common questions about the migration of Idaho hummingbirds are discussed in this article.

When do hummingbirds arrive in Idaho?

The earliest arrivals of Idaho hummingbirds are seen in late March to early April, with peak migration occurring in May.
Idaho hummingbirds begin their spring migration north from as far away as Panama or as close as Mexico.

The first migrating hummingbirds will be males, followed by females about a week later. The males arrive first to stake out the territory that they will defend as they try to attract a female.

Black-chinned hummingbirds are by far the most commonly seen and are the first migrating hummingbirds to be seen in Idaho.

Watch for the male’s vividly colored gorget; a week or so later, the females will begin to appear at your feeders.

Read my article:
How to Identify a Hummingbird’s Gender in 4 Easy Steps

Photo taken in in Boise, Idaho

Hummingbirds starting their spring migration from Panama need to fly about 4,350 miles to reach Idaho.
Hummingbirds starting their journey from Mexico need to fly about 2,000 miles to reach Idaho.

What are the most common hummingbirds seen in Idaho?

The Black-chinned hummingbirds are by far the most common hummingbirds seen in Idaho, with the Rufous hummingbird being a near second.

These are Idaho’s statistics at the beginning of 2025 as reported by ebird.org

• On average, out of 10,000 hummingbird sightings in Idaho, 4,712 will be Black-chinned.
• On average, out of 10,000 hummingbird sightings in Idaho, 2,074 will be Rufous.

Are there Idaho hummingbirds that live in the state year-round?

There are no hummingbird species that live in Idaho year-round.
All hummingbird species found in Idaho are migratory and leave for warmer climates in the fall, however some Anna’s hummingbirds occasionally are seen in the middle of winter.

Other hummingbirds that can be seen in the middle of winter in Idaho are those that are too old or injured to migrate.

The general public is unaware of how cold-tolerant hummingbirds actually are.
According to eBird.org, through branding practices hummingbirds are documented to survive in temperatures of -9F and wind chills of -36F.

See my article:
3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

The Anna’s hummingbird overwinters in Idaho

What hummingbirds breed and nest in Idaho?

According to United States Department of Agriculture Idaho (USDA), migrating hummingbirds, in order of frequently seen, the Black-chinned, Rufous, Calliope, and Broad-tailed hummingbirds, breed and nest in Idaho.
All other hummingbirds seen in Idaho are just passing through to their nesting destination.

The Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge (Kootenai NWR) in Idaho also states, in the north eastern quarter of Idaho, near the Montana and Canadian border, documented Black-chinned, Calliope, and Rufous hummingbirds migrate to Kootenai NWR to breed during spring and summer migration.

Breeding map for hummingbird that breed and nest in Idaho, reported by ebird.org

• Black-chinned
• Rufous
• Calliope
• Broad-tailed

Photo taken in in Boise, Idaho

Photo taken in in Boise, Idaho

The entire reason for northern migration, much like salmon swimming upstream to their place of birth to lay eggs, is to return to the area where they were born to mate, build a nest, and raise a family.
Once the breeding grounds have been reached, focus turns to finding a partner with which to mate.

Each species of male hummingbirds has its own unique mating dance ritual of courtship to attract a female. They do perfectly choreographed dives and dance maneuvers to attract a flirty female.

See my article: 
Hummingbird Dance: 5 Interpretive Explanations

There is no penetration during the mating ritual as male hummingbirds do not have any external sexual organs.

The mating process only lasts for approximately 3-5 seconds while the cloacae (kloh-ay-see) of both hummingbirds are pressed together in what is called the “Cloacal Kiss” (kloh-a-coal kiss).

After the Cloacal kiss, the female must begin building the nest immediately.
Female hummingbirds prefer building nests 10 to 20 feet off the ground in deciduous trees.
It will take her between 5 and 7 days to construct the nest of materials such as plant down, moss, and fine plant fibers, decorated with lichens and held together by spider webs.

See my article: 
Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)

See my article: 
Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

Hummingbirds usually lay 2 eggs per brood, one each on consecutive days.

On average, the Black-chinned, Rufous, Calliope, and Broad-tailed hummingbirds will raise two families per year in Idaho.
However, there are occasions where they are able to work in an additional family for a total of three families per year.

When should I put out hummingbird feeders in Idaho?

Idaho hummingbird enthusiasts should put out hummingbird feeders in late March to early April to attract migrating hummingbirds.
The peak spring migration period starts in May, therefore having your feeders ready early will help attract these tiny travelers.

Approximately one week after the arrival of the male hummingbirds, the females will follow.

Keep feeders up throughout the hummingbird season in Idaho between late March through late September.
Make sure to use high-quality nectar solutions in your hummingbird feeders; homemade nectar works best.

See my article:
Forget Commercial Hummingbird Food, Try Making Homemade Nectar

See my article:
The One Thing You Need to Eliminate From a Hummingbird’s Diet

Clean feeders regularly (every 2-3 days in hot weather) to prevent mold and bacteria.
Place feeders in partially shaded areas to keep nectar fresh longer.

Many Idaho hummingbird admirers leave their hummingbird feeders up all winter long to provide life-nourishing nectar to the Anna’s hummingbird and species unable to migrate due to injury or old age.

However, most of these hummingbirds will not spend the winter in Idaho and will decide to migrate south for the winter.

How long do hummingbirds stay in Idaho?

Idaho hummingbirds stay in the state for at least six months.
They will start arriving as early as late March and most will be gone by late September.
No hummingbird species live in Idaho year-round.

Hummingbird Seasons in Idaho

Season:	Activity:
Late March to early April	First arriving (Black-chinned)
May – July	Peak season for breeding and nesting
Late July – September	Fall migration
October – March	Rare overwintering species (Anna’s)

Hummingbirds have exceptional memories and will remember every flower or feeder they visited on the spring migration and will return to those nectar sources on their return southern migration in the fall.

See my article: 
Hummingbird Adaptation and Remarkable Ability to Locate Food

The most common hummingbirds Idahoans will see during the hot summer months will be the Black-chinned, Rufous, Calliope, and Broad-tailed hummingbirds.

When the obstacles of summer heat are difficult to manage and unbearable, finding ways to keep your hummingbirds happy and hydrated with cool nectar is crucial.

See my article:
How to Help Hummingbirds in Hot Weather

Fall migration begins in late July and most hummingbirds will be gone from Idaho by late September.

Some Idaho hummingbird admirers leave hummingbird feeders up all winter long to provide life-nourishing nectar to Idaho’s only documented overwintering Anna’s hummingbird.
This selfless act also provides nectar to other migrating species unable to migrate because of injury or old age.

See my article: 
11 DIY Ways to Keep Hummingbird Nectar From Freezing

According to Boise State University, their IBO research team (Intermountain Bird Observatory) has recently identified a new winter visitor to Idaho, especially in Ada County, the Anna’s hummingbirds.
Through the practice of banding, the IBO have identified an adult male Anna’s hummingbird near New Meadows that stayed all winter in temperatures as low as -10 degrees Fahrenheit.

Boise State University is excited and so is their community about the ever-increasing sightings of Anna’s hummingbirds in Idaho during the winter through banding practices.
They are now up to 200 winter sightings per year and have a web page for Idaho hummingbird enthusiasts to report their winter sightings.

See my article:
3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

When do hummingbirds leave Idaho?

Idaho hummingbirds begin leaving the state as early as late July and by September they have migrated to their over-wintering areas in Mexico and Central America.
No hummingbirds live in Idaho year-round, however Anna’s hummingbirds are documented as overwintering in Idaho.

A few older hummingbirds will be the first to start the fall migration, depending on their strength and energy, with the youngest hummingbirds finishing the fall migration by late September.

Hummingbird migration is triggered by the circadian (internal daily clock) and the circannual (yearly internal clock) rhythm.
Changes in the weather, temperature, time of season, decline in food supply and shorter days with less sunlight are factors that influence the beginning of fall migration.

Similar to spring migration, male hummingbirds are the first to leave and head south for the winter during fall migration.
As soon as the female hummingbirds have finished raising their young and can travel independently, they will set out on their southern fall migration.

How long does it take a Idaho hummingbird to migrate?

It takes an Idaho hummingbird about 67 hours of flying at its average migrating flight speed of 30mph to fly from Idaho to the Mexican border 2,000 miles away.
Some fly at the relaxed distance as slow as 1 hour per day, others fly up to 500 miles non-stop in about 20 hours as some do while migrating across the Gulf of America.

Hummingbirds do not migrate in flocks as do other migrating birds.
Hummingbirds migrate individually on their own personal time clock.
This staggered migration pattern ensures resources are not consumed and depleted all at one time.

As migration approaches, hummingbirds routinely gain 25% to 50% of their body weight by consuming increased quantities of nectar from feeders and flowering plants as well as catching an increased quantity of bugs mid-air for protein.
This increase in body fat helps fuel the hummingbird on its long migration journey.

The hummingbirds that visited your feeders during the spring migration will remember exactly where your feeder is located and will most likely revisit that same feeder on their way to their over-wintering area in Mexico and Central America.

Maintaining feeders is critical in order to maximize food consumption that nourishes and prepares their bodies for migration.

See my article:
Hummingbird Adaptation and Remarkable Ability to Locate Food

When to take down hummingbird feeders in Idaho?

Mid-October or after a few weeks without any hummingbird sightings, is the ideal time to remove Idaho hummingbird feeders for the winter.
Feeders can be up all winter to feed Idaho’s only over wintering bird, the Anna’s hummingbird, or Idaho’s migrating hummingbirds that are too old or injured to migrate.

Hummingbirds are much more tolerant of cold temperatures than most people realize.
They depend on these wintertime feeders and may can die if hummingbird feeders are taken down in the middle of winter during periods of below-freezing temperatures.

According to eBird.org, some banded hummingbirds have been documented in temperatures of -9 degrees Fahrenheit with a wind chill of -36 degrees Fahrenheit.

See my article:
11 DIY Ways to Keep Hummingbird Nectar From Freezing

See my article:
Should I Keep My Hummingbird Feeder Out During the Winter?

Most migrating hummingbirds will not spend the winter in Idaho and will decide to migrate south for the winter.

Where do Idaho hummingbirds go in the winter?

Idaho’s Black-chinned, Rufous, Calliope, Broad-tailed, Costa’s, Ruby-throated, and Broad billed migrating hummingbirds travel south to over-winter in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.
Anna’s over-winter in upper Mexico, California and sometimes Idaho.

See Idaho’s wintering hummingbirds map as reported by ebird.org
In order of frequently seen.

• Black-chinned
• Rufous
• Calliope
• Anna’s
• Broad-tailed
• Costa’s
• Ruby-throated
• Broad-billed

All hummingbirds have excellent memories and can remember every flower or feeder they visited during spring migration and will return to those locations along their migration pathway year after year.

Some hummingbirds have been documented returning to a feeder for a couple of years after it was removed.

See my article:
Hummingbirds Found in Idaho: (Pictures and Sounds)

Check out my other posts on Hummingbird Questions

Happy Hummingbird Watching!