Quick Answers
Hummingbirds are small, delicate birds that thrive in warm climates. They are not adapted to handle cold weather or snow. However, hummingbirds have been known to survive snowstorms and cold snaps when they get caught during migration or fail to migrate before winter sets in. With some luck and access to food, hummingbirds can endure short periods of cold but prolonged exposure is dangerous.
Hummingbirds are tropical and subtropical birds that are found naturally in warm environments. Their tiny size, high metabolism, and low body fat make them vulnerable to cold temperatures and winter weather. Unlike some other bird species, hummingbirds do not have the adaptations needed to survive freezing temperatures and snow.
During migration, hummingbirds are sometimes caught in unseasonal cold snaps or snowstorms. When this happens, they may become trapped and unable to continue their migration. In these cases, providing supplemental food and warmth can help the hummingbirds survive until conditions improve. With extreme luck and human intervention, some hummingbirds have endured record low temperatures and blizzard conditions. But in general, hummingbirds do not do well in snow and can succumb rapidly to hypothermia and starvation under these conditions.
So can hummingbirds be in the snow? While not impossible, snowy conditions pose severe challenges for hummingbirds. Their chances of survival rapidly diminish without access to regular food and warm shelters. Yet offering supplemental nutrition and roosting spots can enable hummingbirds to live through short cold spells until they can continue migration.
Challenges Hummingbirds Face in Cold Weather
Hummingbirds are vulnerable to cold conditions for several key reasons:
Tiny size
Hummingbirds are the smallest birds, with most species 2-8 cm long and weighing 2-6 grams. Their tiny bodies offer little insulation against the cold. The high surface area relative to their volume also means they lose heat rapidly.
High metabolism
Hummingbirds have extremely fast metabolisms, with heart rates up to 1,200 beats per minute. This rapid metabolism generates a lot of internal body heat. But in cold conditions, they struggle to consume enough calories to maintain their high metabolic rate and warm their bodies.
Low fat reserves
Unlike some birds that store sizable fat reserves for winter, hummingbirds do little to accumulate winter fat stores. They rely on accessing frequent small meals to fuel their high metabolism. Without regular feeding, they lack energy reserves to tap into.
No down insulation
Many cold-adapted birds grow dense down in winter for insulation against the cold. But hummingbirds do not produce thick down coats. They may fluff existing feathers for slight insulation, but this is minimal protection in snowy weather.
High surface area
Hummingbirds??? wingspan is large relative to their body size. This gives them a lot of surface area through which they rapidly lose heat. Their long, thin beaks and feet are also prime spots for heat loss.
How Hummingbirds Survive Cold Snaps
Despite all these challenges, hummingbirds sometimes succeed in surviving short periods of unseasonable cold:
Finding shelter
Hummingbirds burn huge amounts of calories trying to stay warm in the cold. They can reduce heat loss by seeking shelter in trees, bushes, or manmade structures. This shelters them from wind and precipitation. Cavities, nest boxes, porches, and garages can provide refuge.
Entering torpor
To conserve energy, hummingbirds can enter a state of torpor. Their metabolism slows down dramatically and body temperature drops. This torpid state reduces their caloric needs by 50-90%. They emerge periodically to feed.
Accessing food
Hummingbirds require frequent feeding due to their high metabolic rate. Cold-trapped hummingbirds rely heavily on any available food sources, like feeders, flowering plants, and tree sap. Feeders with high sugar nectar help meet increased caloric needs.
Fat storage
Some hummingbirds approaching migration will opportunistically pack on extra fat, increasing their cold-weather resistance. But most do not build up substantial fat reserves.
Adaptability
Research shows some hummingbirds can modestly adjust their physiology and habits to cope in cold conditions for limited timeframes. For example, they may reduce their nighttime temperature drop to conserve energy.
Risks to Hummingbirds in Cold and Snow
When hummingbirds get caught in harsh winter conditions, they face serious threats to their health and survival:
Hypothermia
Rapid heat loss and an inability to generate enough body heat can lead to fatally low body temperatures. Small hummingbirds are especially prone to hypothermia.
Starvation
Hummingbirds have a direly high risk of starvation in cold weather when burning 10 times their normal calories. Lack of flowering plants and insects can leave them without enough food.
Exhaustion
Attempting to maintain their high metabolism in cold burns calories rapidly. Hummingbirds can literally exhaust themselves attempting to stay warm, especially at night.
Predation
Torpid hummingbirds are vulnerable to predators. And lack of nutrition weakens them and compromises their ability to survive attacks.
Freezing
At extreme subzero temperatures, the cold alone can be life threatening. Body tissues may freeze, especially in the delicate wings and feet.
| Risk | Factor |
|---|---|
| Hypothermia | High surface area to volume ratio leads to rapid heat loss |
| Starvation | High metabolism requires frequent feeding, which may lack in winter |
| Exhaustion | High caloric demand makes winter thermoregulation challenging |
| Predation | Torpid hummingbirds are vulnerable and lack energy to escape |
| Freezing | Extreme cold can lead to tissue damage, especially in wings and feet |
Helping Cold-Trapped Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds caught in winter conditions may benefit greatly from human intervention:
Put out feeders
Provide nutrient-rich nectar in feeders to help hummingbirds meet increased nutritional needs. Feeders should be kept thawed and nectar changed frequently.
Offer heating
Putting out a heated bird bath or positioning a light to warm a roosting area gives hummingbirds a heat source to help conserve energy.
Supply shelter
Giving hummingbirds access to a protected shelter like a porch or garage reduces exposure and heat loss. Open doors or windows allow them to enter.
Plant winter-blooming flowers
Winter-resistant flowering plants can provide essential food from natural nectar sources to supplement feeders.
Eliminate pesticides
Avoid using toxic pesticides that can poison hummingbirds or the insects they rely on for food.
Report banded birds
If you spot a banded hummingbird, reporting it helps track migrations and inform conservation efforts.
| Intervention | Intended Benefit |
|---|---|
| Put out feeders | Provide supplemental nutrition to meet energy needs |
| Offer heating | Give external heat source to reduce calorie expenditure |
| Supply shelter | Protect from cold exposure and wind chill |
| Plant winter flowers | Provide live nectar nutrition sources |
| Eliminate pesticides | Ensure safe food supply |
| Report banded birds | Help collect data to inform conservation |
Conclusion
Hummingbirds are small, tropical birds that struggle to survive in snowy, freezing conditions. Their high metabolism, lack of insulation, and need for frequent feeding make cold weather a life-threatening situation. However, hummingbirds have been known in some cases to endure temporary cold snaps when they find shelter, enter torpor, and access adequate nutrition. Providing supplemental food, warmth, and roost sites can greatly aid their chances. But prolonged or extreme winter conditions remain a major threat. While unusual, hummingbirds can sometimes be found in snow when migratory trips go awry or individuals fail to migrate before winter arrives. With quick intervention by humans, some remarkable hummingbirds manage to beat the odds and live through short bouts of snow and cold until milder conditions return. But in general, hummingbirds do best sticking to the warm, tropical environments they are evolutionarily adapted for long-term survival.
