Iowa hummingbirds are part of the reason that when springtime weather shows up in the Midwest, everyone spends as much time as they can outside. Long winters keep us all cooped up, and we flock to parks, forests, and gardens to take in the sounds and signs of the new season. People aren’t the only ones out enjoying the weather — soon, thousands of Iowa hummingbirds will show up to feast on the wildflowers of our beautiful state! When will hummingbirds arrive in Iowa? Keep reading to find out!

Keep an eye out for ruby-throated hummingbirds starting in April, with the first sightings expected about April 14!
Iowa hummingbirds
Flickr/Jason Mrachina
As spring begins to bloom here in the Hawkeye State, you'll notice thousands of hummingbirds appearing as their annual migration begins.
When their winter homes in South America and Central America become too steamy, they start to make their way to the slightly cooler climates in North America.
jeffreyw, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Interestingly, hummingbirds have been migrating back to the United States earlier and earlier due to overall warmer winters here in North America.
While these beautiful birds make their way into Iowa, spring blooms are their most common food source.
Flickr/Carol VanHook
This Blue Flag Iris is one of their most beloved plants, and towns like Altoona have collections of pollinator-friendly wildflowers in public parks and along walking trails. Hummingbirds love tubular flowers with high nectar content. The tubular shape is also a perfect fit for their long beaks.
Help out hummingbirds in Iowa and other pollinators by planting friendly flowers. Some of their favorites include trumpet vines and butterfly bushes.
Iowa hummingbirds
Flickr/Jason Mrachina
While hummingbirds particularly like trumpet-shaped flowers, they'll feed on a variety of high-nectar plants. Bee balm, sage, rhododendron, and lupine are all beautiful flowers that can help attract hummingbirds to your garden. It's a win-win, you get a beautiful garden and the hummingbirds get fed.

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When the weather patterns change, some flower patches struggle to keep up with the high demand, and hummingbird feeders become an important source of nectar for the birds who can't find enough food from flowers and plants along their journey.
Flickr/Jason Mrachina
These tiny, fast-moving birds can fly up to 1,300 miles in one stretch. As you can imagine, that kind of hard work requires a lot of fuel and energy in the form of nectar.
And did you know that hummingbirds flap their wings up to 3,000 times per minute?!
Iowa hummingbirds
Flickr/Carl Wycoff
They need constant nourishment, and nectar helps keep them fueled up. If you're filling your own feeder with commercially available nectar, avoid the bright red stuff that's packed with artificial dyes. We don't know for sure that the dye will harm hummingbirds, but want to keep the hummingbird feeders packed with what's closest to their natural food source. You can also make your own nectar by mixing four parts water to one part sugar.
The hummingbird migration is well on its way, and they'll be fluttering their way through the Hawkeye State this spring.
Flickr/Alvin Trusty
Now that we've answered the question, "When is the best time to see hummingbirds in Iowa:" It's time to get ready for them!
Where is the best place to see hummingbirds in Iowa?
Iowa hummingbirds
McGhiever, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
If you're looking to spot the lovely creatures, head to Pikes Peak State Park! The park's bird feeders attract hundreds of them every day.

Iowa hummingbirds are headed this way! How will you prepare for these hungry birds? Let us know in the comments below what your tips and tricks are for attracting hummingbirds into your garden and snagging a picture or two. We love to hear your first-hand accounts!

If you need a birdfeeder, plenty of options are available on the Etsy website. And for some more of the best birding in Iowa, read about the Chichaqua-Neal Smith Bird Conservation Area.

The Best Birding In Iowa Is Found At The Chichaqua-Neal Smith Bird Conservation Area

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When Will Hummingbirds Arrive In Iowa?

CC | February 23, 2023

What types of hummingbirds are in Iowa?

The Ruby-throated hummingbird is one of the most common across the United States, including in Iowa, but you’ll most likely also spot some of these species at your flowers during the spring migration.

  • Ruby-throated Hummingbird
  • Rufous Hummingbird
  • Broad-tailed Hummingbird
  • Allen’s Hummingbird
  • Anna’s Hummingbird
  • Black-chinned Hummingbird
  • Calliope Hummingbird

 

When should I hang a hummingbird feeder in Iowa?

Most people put out their feeders in the spring when the bulk of hummingbirds are coming into the state, but some hummingbirds stay in the U.S. year-round and you can always keep your feeder out through all seasons for them. Whatever you decide, the key element is putting out the best hummingbird feeders for the birds.

Is it safe to feed hummingbirds in Iowa?

Yes, it is 100 percent safe to feed hummingbirds in Iowa. After flying all those arduous miles, these birds are going to need a break and a snack.

Where are some of the best places to find birds in Iowa?

  • Boone Forks Conservation Area (Stratford): The 80,000 lovely acres are home to more than 130 nesting bird species and a resting site for another 115 migrating species. The wild river and rich forested habitat provide food and shelter, such as acorns and insects that birds like to eat. This natural area can be accessed by driving on gravel and county roads or taking a boat with river access. Bring your binoculars, a packed lunch, and a camera to capture the wildlife.
  • Oxbow Bottoms (Tama County): For a glimpse at bald eagles, killdears, pheasants, turkeys, and doves, this 260-acre Oxbow Bottoms Wildlife Area offers possibilities. The floodplain grassland-wetland complex offers free views of the sandbars along the Iowa River.

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Pikes Peak State Park, 32264 Pikes Peak Rd, McGregor, IA 52157, USA