As fall turns into winter, a common question that comes up is “Are hummingbirds gone for the season?” The answer depends on a few factors, including your location and hummingbird species. Keep reading to learn more about hummingbird migration and overwintering behavior.
When do hummingbirds migrate?
Most hummingbirds in the United States and Canada migrate south in the fall to escape the cold weather and limited food resources. Ruby-throated hummingbirds, the most common hummingbird in eastern North America, normally leave their breeding grounds between August and November. Rufous hummingbirds, common in the Pacific Northwest, migrate as early as July and August. Here is a table with approximate migration times for some common hummingbird species:
| Hummingbird Species | Migration Period |
|---|---|
| Ruby-throated | August to November |
| Rufous | July to August |
| Allen’s | August to November |
| Anna’s | October to May |
| Black-chinned | Mid-July to September |
| Calliope | Mid-July to September |
As you can see, most hummingbirds leave in the fall, but the exact timing depends on the species and its breeding and wintering grounds. Keep an eye out in late summer and early fall for hummingbirds disappearing from your feeders – this likely means they are departing for their southern wintering grounds.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Migration
The Ruby-throated hummingbird has the most extensive migration of any hummingbird in North America. They breed across much of eastern North America in the summer, primarily from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Coast and as far north as Nova Scotia. As days get shorter in late summer, Ruby-throats start heading south, traversing the Gulf of Mexico or skirting along its coast on their way to southern Mexico and Central America.
The timing of ruby-throat migration depends on a few factors:
- Age – adult males tend to leave first, followed by females and juveniles
- Nesting timeline – birds that nest early migrate before late nesters
- Cold fronts – the passage of a cold front often spur migration
By late October, the vast majority of Ruby-throats have left the United States and Canada. A few individuals may linger into early November if food supplies remain.
Rufous Hummingbird Migration
The feisty Rufous hummingbird breeds farther north than any other hummingbird, from Alaska through the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia. Their breeding range is dependent on the flowering of nectar plants during the short northern summer.
As soon as flowers begin to fade in mid-summer, Rufous hummingbirds take off on their migration. They fly south along the Pacific Coast, through California and into Mexico for the winter. The timing of Rufous migration is earlier than Ruby-throats and many other species.
Where do hummingbirds go in winter?
When hummingbirds depart their breeding grounds in the fall, they migrate south to warmer climates with adequate food supplies. Here are the wintering grounds for several hummingbird species that breed in the United States and Canada:
| Hummingbird Species | Winter Range |
|---|---|
| Ruby-throated | Southern Mexico to Panama |
| Rufous | Mexico and Gulf Coast |
| Allen’s | Mexico |
| Anna’s | Pacific Coast and Southwest |
| Black-chinned | Mexico and Gulf Coast |
| Calliope | Mexico |
As this table shows, Mexico is a key wintering area for many hummingbird species, including Ruby-throated, Rufous, Allen’s, Black-chinned, and Calliope hummingbirds. The tropical environs of southern Mexico and Central America provide an abundance of flowers and insects for fueling up and fattening up before the long migration north in spring.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Winter Range
Most Ruby-throated hummingbirds winter in southern Mexico and through Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, and Panama. They are found in a variety of semi-open and forested tropical habitats that offer nectar flowers and insect food sources. Mountain forest habitats are particularly utilized during the winter months.
Rufous Hummingbird Winter Range
The majority of Rufous hummingbirds winter along Mexico’s Pacific coast. Some also reach the Gulf coast of the United States, particularly Texas and Louisiana. They occupy many habitat types, including scrub, woodlands, gardens, and parks. Rufous hummingbirds are regular visitors to backyard feeders in their winter range.
Do any hummingbirds stay year-round?
Most hummingbirds that breed in the United States and southern Canada migrate south for the winter. However, a few species have expanded their ranges and stay year-round in certain areas:
| Hummingbird Species | Year-Round Range |
|---|---|
| Anna’s | Pacific Coast, Southwest, Southeast |
| Rufous | Pacific Northwest, Southwest |
| Allen’s | California Coast |
| Calliope | Southwest |
Of these species, Anna’s hummingbirds are the most widespread and common year-round residents. Their range has expanded to cover most of the Pacific Coast, parts of the Southwest, and into the Southeast. Some individual Rufous and Allen’s hummingbirds also spend the entire year along the Pacific Coast rather than migrating.
Overwintering hummingbirds
Even species that normally migrate may have some individuals that stick around for the winter. What allows these hummingbirds to survive cold months when most others have left?
- Access to feeders – backyard feeding stations provide a food source
- Sheltered microclimates – urban areas or protected coastal habitats offer warmer temps
- Available flowers – winter-blooming plants like cuphea give nectar
So if you live in an area that freezes in winter but notice a lone hummingbird at your feeder, it is likely one of these overwintering individuals taking advantage of feeder food in order to survive the cold season.
When do hummingbirds return in spring?
Just as hummingbirds leave at different times in the fall, they also return at varying times in the spring. Here are the typical spring arrival dates for common hummingbird species:
| Hummingbird Species | Spring Return |
|---|---|
| Rufous | Late January to early March |
| Ruby-throated | Early to mid March |
| Black-chinned | Mid March to early April |
| Calliope | Mid March to early May |
| Allen’s | Early March to early April |
| Anna’s | No spring return migration |
Rufous hummingbirds are early arrivals, showing up along the Gulf Coast as early as January and moving northward over the following months. Ruby-throats and other eastern species return anywhere from March through May depending on latitude. The speed of the spring migration is largely determined by available food – as flowers come into bloom, the birds follow the nectar trail northward.
Factors prompting return migration
What triggers hummingbirds to start moving north again in the spring? Some of the key factors include:
- Flowering plants – migration follows blooming of nectar sources
- Increasing daylight – signals time to breed
- Warmer temperatures – provides more favorable conditions
- Breeding instincts – urges birds to return to mating territories
Pay attention for the first hummingbird sightings in your area, which likely means the mass migration is underway as birds hurry to reach their breeding grounds for the summer.
Conclusion
To summarize the answer to “are hummingbirds gone for the season”:
- Most hummingbirds leave northern breeding areas by late fall for southern wintering grounds
- A few species have year-round populations in warmer regions
- Some individuals may overwinter in sheltered areas with feeders
- Return migration happens over late winter and spring months
- Migration timing depends on the species and local conditions
So while most hummingbird species do indeed head south in fall and return in spring, exceptions exist. Paying attention to hummingbird activity in your area is the best way to determine if these tiny travelers are still around through the winter or gone for the season.
With some extra care to provide food and shelter, you may be surprised to find you can host overwintering hummingbirds even in colder areas. But otherwise, enjoy the show as spring migration brings the buzzing birds back to your gardens!
