Hummingbirds are a beloved part of the ecosystem and culture in Houston. With their flashy, iridescent colors and incredible speed, these tiny birds delight observers. Many Houstonians eagerly await the return of hummingbirds to their gardens and feeders each spring. But exactly when do these migratory birds arrive in the Houston area?
The timing of hummingbird migration depends on a few key factors:
- Temperature – Hummingbirds migrate north in the spring as warmer weather arrives and flowering plants start to bloom.
- Food availability – Abundant flowers providing nectar are necessary to fuel their migration and breeding.
- Species – The twenty different hummingbird species found in the U.S. have slightly different migration timing and routes.
By understanding these elements and tracking hummingbird sightings, we can determine when hummingbirds return to the Houston area each year.
Spring Arrival in Houston
Most hummingbirds that breed in the U.S. winter in Mexico and Central America. As days get longer and temperatures warm in late winter and early spring, they begin their long journeys northward. The timing varies by species:
Species | Spring Arrival in Houston |
---|---|
Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Early to mid March |
Black-chinned Hummingbird | Mid to late March |
Rufous Hummingbird | Early April |
Ruby-throated hummingbirds are the earliest to arrive in Houston, usually in early to mid-March. Their migration tends to follow blooming cycles of native flowers and trees along their route such as redbuds, flowering cherries, honeysuckles, and columbines.
Black-chinned hummingbirds arrive next, in mid to late March. As their name suggests, male black-chins have a black band under their chin with an iridescent purple throat.
Rufous hummingbirds are the last to arrive, usually in early April. They are one of the farthest migrating hummingbirds, some traveling up to 5,000 miles each way between Mexico and Alaska.
What triggers their migration?
Photoperiod, or day length, provides an important cue for birds to start migrating north. As winter turns to spring, days rapidly lengthen, especially at higher latitudes. When days reach about 12 hours long, hormone changes prompt hummingbirds to eat more in preparation for migration.
Warmer temperatures and food availability also influence departure from wintering grounds and arrival on breeding territories. Abundant flowers and insects in the south signal it’s time to head north to breed and take advantage of seasonal resources.
What route do they take to Houston?
Hummingbirds take different pathways across the Gulf of Mexico to reach Houston in early spring, though many follow the coastline. Banding and tracking studies show northbound hummingbirds stop to rest and refuel along the Louisiana, Texas, and Mexico coasts before reaching Houston.
They may cross over at specific geographic hotspots, depending on weather and wind conditions. Some key crossing areas include the Yucatan Peninsula, over the Gulf near the Florida panhandle, between Galveston Island and High Island, Texas, and across from Tampico, Mexico near the Texas border.
Spotting the First Arrivals
Paying attention to flowers blooming in your neighborhood is a good clue that hummingbirds will arrive soon. Here are some early spring flowers in Houston that attract hummingbirds:
- Redbud
- Plum and peach trees
- Ornamental pear
- Azalea
- Coral honeysuckle
- Columbine
- Trumpet vine
- Turk’s cap
Putting out feeders in late February or early March improves your chances of spotting one of the first arrivals. Use a nectar mix of one part sugar to four parts water. Place the feeder in a visible location protected from wind and rain. Have patience, as it may take a week or two for hummingbirds to discover a new food source.
Ruby-throats are likely to be the first species spotted at Houston feeders. The males have an iridescent red throat and whirring wings that beat up to 70 times per second!
Post sightings of early arrivals on online sites like eBird and hummingbirds.net to help track migration. Share photos on social media using hashtags like #hummingbird or #TXhummingbirds.
Peak Hummingbird Season in Houston
Once hummingbirds arrive in Houston in early spring, numbers gradually build through March and April. More birds pass through on their way farther north, and some stay to nest. Sightings peak in May when abundant natural food sources coincide with nesting season.
Up to eight hummingbird species may be found in the Houston area during peak spring migration and breeding, though a few are rare:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Black-chinned Hummingbird
- Rufous Hummingbird
- Allen’s Hummingbird
- Anna’s Hummingbird
- Buff-bellied Hummingbird
- Broad-billed Hummingbird
- Calliope Hummingbird
Ruby-throats are the most widespread and common, found across eastern North America. Black-chins and Rufous are also fairly common in Houston, while the others are less likely to be seen.
To attract the most diversity, keep feeders up through May and into early June before numbers start to decline. Plant a variety of native flowers and shrubs that bloom at different times like honeysuckle, salvia, and butterfly weed.
Here is a table summarizing the peak viewing period for hummingbirds in Houston by month:
Month | Hummingbird Outlook in Houston |
---|---|
March | First arrivals; numbers building |
April | Migration continues; more species arrive |
May | Peak diversity and abundance |
Decline and Fall Departure
As spring gives way to summer in Houston, hummingbird numbers and diversity start to decline after peaking in May. There are a few reasons for this:
- Some migratory species like Rufous continue northward to breeding grounds farther north.
- Food sources change, with spring wildflowers going to seed as grasses and summer flowers bloom.
- Breeding concludes in June/July, so there are fewer active nests.
By late June, only a few straggling hummingbirds may visit feeders or flowers, mainly Ruby-throats and Black-chins. These summer residents continue raising young through July.
In August and September, most hummingbirds have departed Houston on their southbound fall migration. Exact timing depends on the species:
Species | Fall Departure from Houston |
---|---|
Rufous Hummingbird | August |
Black-chinned Hummingbird | Late August to Mid September |
Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Mid September to Early October |
Rufous hummingbirds leave first to migrate all the way to Mexico and Central America. Ruby-throats are the last to depart in the fall, leaving Texas by early October at the latest.
To spot late-migrating hummingbirds, keep feeders clean and full through September and early October. Planting late-blooming flowers like salvia, hibiscus, and aloe will also help provide food through their departure.
How do they know when to migrate?
Shortening daylight cues hummingbirds to start eating more in preparation for an arduous migration up to 3,000 miles back to their wintering grounds. Food availability also plays a role, as flowers and insects start to decline going into fall.
Cold fronts bringing strong north winds may prompt large numbers to migrate on a given night in September or October. Banding shows most leave Houston across the Gulf, departing from coastal points near Galveston or High Island.
Year-Round Hummingbirds in Houston
While most hummingbirds only pass through Houston on spring and fall migration, one species has adapted to spending the entire year here: the Buff-bellied Hummingbird.
Native to the hot and humid Gulf coastal region, Buff-bellied hummingbirds are unique among U.S. hummingbirds. They do not make long migrations, instead moving only short distances along the Texas and Louisiana coast to stay within their tropical comfort zone all year.
Buff-bellied males have a distinctive appearance with a bright red-orange bill and white eyering. Females lack red on the bill. Listen for their sharp "chik!" call.
This resident species is common along brushy coastal areas, woodland edges, and suburbs of Houston. Numbers swell slightly in spring and fall as some migratory individuals join the year-round birds.
To attract buff-bellies, use feeders year-round and plant selections like Turk’s cap, fuchsia, and shrimp plant that provide nectar in every season.
Conclusion
The arrival of hummingbirds each spring in Houston brings excitement after their long absence. Paying attention to flower bloom, putting out feeders, and sharing sightings helps track the timing of their return as early as February some years.
Their numbers build through March and April, with species diversity peaking in May. Most birds depart by late summer and fall, but Buff-bellied hummingbirds brighten the area as year-round residents.
With preparation and an understanding of their migration patterns, Houstonians can enjoy these special birds in their gardens and neighborhoods from early spring through the fall. The buzz of hummingbird wings is a welcome sign of the changing seasons.