There is so much to love about spring in Ohio. Flowers bloom, birds sing, and people feel friendlier. Springtime also brings another incredible experience to Ohioans: the annual hummingbird migration. In Ohio, the hummingbird migration will bring familiar species like the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird up North to breed. If you’re wondering when will hummingbirds arrive in Cleveland, Ohio, you can usually start to catch them in late April, during their annual migration. They’ll be easy to spot in quiet yards, especially those with hummingbird feeders, all across the country. Read on to find out more about these bejeweled birds.

Cold, rainy weather may be slowing the migration of the hummingbirds north... but don't worry, they'll be in the Cleveland area in no time.
Andrew Cannizzaro/Flickr
Traveling by day just above the treetops, hummingbirds are moving from their wintering grounds in Central America and the Southern United States back into the Central, Western, and Northern United States.
The hummingbirds travel to build nests and breed, something that many birds tend to do in the spring.
Wolfgang Wander, Papa Lima Whiskey/Wikimedia Commons
Hummingbirds in Ohio will typically breed in June and July. Their young leave the nest around just 20 days of age, and it's not uncommon for certain species, like the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, to build and lay eggs in a second nest while they are feeding the hatchlings in their first.
Here in Ohio, you are most likely to spot Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds... but they're definitely not the only ones here!
Jen Goellnitz/Flickr
The Ruby Throated Hummingbird weighs less than an ounce, but this species has been recorded traveling as fast as 60 miles per hour. It was once believed that this was the only Ohio hummingbird, but locals have spotted other species even during the winter! The Rufous Hummingbird typically breeds near Alaska and spends winters in Mexico, but in the past few decades a select few have been spotted wintering in Ohio. Even tropical hummingbirds like the Violet-Ear Hummingbird from Central America have been spotted in Ohio from time to time!

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Hummingbirds, as you know, feast on insects and nectar alike, so now's a great time to start thinking about what you'll be planting this spring.
Erik Drost/Flickr
Hummingbirds love nectar! It can be found in great abundance in brightly colored flowers, or you can place out artificial feeders. Native Ohio wildflowers are the best to attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and even the hummingbird hawk-moth.
These guys usually start to arrive around mid-April and early May, and they usually stay until September.
Andrew Cannizzaro/Flickr
When September rolls around, hummingbirds usually start fattening up and planning their trips down South and out West. As some hummingbirds travel up to Canada in the spring, many of them may pass through Ohio as they travel to their winter homes.
Whether you're exploring a Cleveland landmark like the Cultural Gardens or enjoying the privacy of your own backyard, you'll want to keep your eyes peeled for hummingbirds.
Erik Drost/Flickr
To many, the arrival of hummingbirds is a telltale sign that summer is on its way. Plus, there's a certain sort of grace about these guys that is downright mesmerizing.
You never know who (or what species of hummingbird, for that matter) will be visiting you this spring and summer.
Centpacrr via Wikimedia Commons
These beautiful and majestic creatures will be seen all over the United States very soon, and many will be passing through (and possibly even nesting in) Greater Cleveland!

In Ohio, the hummingbird migration is a telltale sign of spring’s arrival. If you’re lucky enough, you just might grab a picture of your super duper tiny and speedy visitors — especially if you set yourself up for success with a hummingbird feeder! Have you ever photographed a hummingbird in Cleveland, Ohio? We’d love to see your capture in the comments!

While waiting to catch a glimpse of the hummingbird migration in Ohio, check out this great video of a ruby-throated hummingbird male at a feeder:

So, when will hummingbirds arrive in Cleveland? The sooner the better, because when they do, it means spring is here! If you love seeing hummingbirds in Ohio, the Secrest Arboretum has a garden that they can’t resist.

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When Will Hummingbirds Return To Ohio?

Sarah M. | February 18, 2023

What types of hummingbirds are in Cleveland, Ohio?

Hummingbirds in Cleveland, Ohio, are the most delightful harbinger of spring, aren't they? In terms of the Buckeye State's native avian species, Ruby-throated hummingbirds are the only native hummingbird in Ohio. These tiny birds are most often seen in the state during their breeding season. Hummingbirds arrive in the spring, usually in late April or early May.

During the spring rush, however, you’ll find lots of interesting hummingbirds in Ohio, like these species:

  • Ruby-throated hummingbird
  • Rufous hummingbird
  • Black-chinned hummingbird
  • Mexican violetear
  • Red buckeye
  • Eastern redbud
  • Tulip tree
  • Northern catalpa

When to put out hummingbird feeders in Cleveland, Ohio?

The annual hummingbird migration is one of the most charming things to experience, and luckily, here in Cleveland, Ohio, we don't have to wait too long. If you have been asking around "When do hummingbirds migrate through Cleveland?" hummingbird-guide.com, states hummingbirds are expected to arrive in Ohio sometime around early April. More specifically, male ruby-throated hummingbirds usually make their way into the Cleveland area in early April, not long after the official beginning of spring. However, some early birds usually show up during the first week of March, perhaps to get ahead of the game during mating season. Because, of course, this is Mother Nature we're talking about -- so we advise having your feeders and cameras ready earlier in the month! Mother Nature doesn't always adhere to a strict schedule.

Is it safe to feed hummingbirds in Cleveland, Ohio?

It is, provided you follow a few guidelines. Experts recommend putting up your hummingbird feeders in Ohio around the first week of April, as the birds happily accept food after their big migration! You can even continue to fill the feeder after your hummingbirds disappear—late migrants or out-of-range species can show up into early winter.

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