Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures known for their speedy flight and ability to hover in midair as they drink nectar from flowers. These tiny birds captivate people with their beauty and fascinating behaviors. Many people enjoy watching hummingbirds visit feeders they put in their yards during warmer months. But this leads to some questions around hummingbird migration and whether supplying a constant food source could negatively impact their natural migratory instincts.
When do hummingbirds migrate?
Most hummingbird species in the United States and Canada migrate south in the fall to spend the winter in Mexico or Central America. The timing of migration depends on the species and local conditions. Here are some general timeframes for when popular feeder visitors migrate:
- Ruby-throated hummingbirds leave the eastern U.S. between August and November.
- Rufous hummingbirds leave the Pacific Northwest between July and September.
- Anna’s hummingbirds and Allen’s hummingbirds mostly stay year-round in coastal California and the Southwest.
Migration seems to be triggered by a combination of changes in daylight, flowers dying off, and weather getting cooler. During migration, hummingbirds make an incredible nonstop journey across the Gulf of Mexico, flying up to 23 hours at a time. They depend on stores of fat built up ahead of time to provide energy for this exhausting trip.
Do feeders prevent migration?
Providing nectar feeders does not prevent hummingbirds from migrating or delay their migration. Research and banding studies show hummingbirds leave at the expected times even if feeders are available. Here are several reasons why:
- Migration is driven by instinct and changes in daylight rather than food availability. Hummingbirds will follow their internal cues to migrate regardless of food.
- Hummingbirds get the majority of their nutrition from insects, not just nectar. As insect populations decline in late summer, it signals time to migrate.
- Feeders only provide a supplemental food source. Natural flowers and nectar are still the main diet component.
- Migration is a high energy demand. Hummingbirds need the protein from insects to fuel up for migration.
In fact, the nectar from feeders may help hummingbirds bulk up their fat stores for migration. The extra food resource supports them during this high energy time when they are also molting and replacing feathers.
Do hummingbirds depend on feeders?
While hummingbirds will readily use feeders, they do not become dependent on them as their sole food source. Even at the peak of migration or winter when fewer flowers are available, hummingbirds get the majority of their calories from insects and tree sap. Here are some signs that feeders are only supplemental:
- Feeder use peaks in early morning and late afternoon when insects are less active.
- Hummingbirds energetically defend flower patches as important food territories.
- They consume more insects than nectar on a daily basis.
- Migrating birds still depart on schedule even after feeders are removed.
However, in cooler climates, a lack of flowers and insects in late fall means feeders may provide an important energy boost right before migration. Taking down feeders too early could deprive hummingbirds of useful fuel stores.
Do hummingbirds starve without feeders?
Hummingbirds have survived for thousands of years without the help of feeders. They do not need feeders to meet their nutritional needs or avoid starvation. While hummingbirds appreciate the free nectar source when available, they know how to find food on their own in the wild by:
- Visiting wildflowers and native plants that bloom at different times of year.
- Feeding heavily on tree sap of birch, willow, and other species.
- Catching small insects and spiders midair and from leaves and branches.
- Migrating to warmer climates with more natural food sources.
However, in some situations feeders may provide life-saving sustenance. Examples include harsh winters, droughts limiting flowers, or birds recovering from injury/illness. Feeders are more of a safety net than a true necessity.
Do feeders delay spring migration?
Research shows that feeders do not delay hummingbird migration in the spring either. Here is some evidence:
- Banding studies show hummingbirds leave wintering grounds on a consistent schedule, whether feeders are used or not.
- Males, who don’t depend as much on flowers, depart first on spring migration.
- Photoperiod triggers migration; as daylight hours increase, hummingbirds know to depart.
- Nesting areas become hospitable at predictable times, driving migration to match food supply.
So feeders may provide a little extra fuel for the journey north, but hummingbirds still follow environmental cues to begin migration on time. Leaving too late could mean less breeding opportunities.
Should you take down feeders?
Knowing that feeders do not prevent hummingbird migration, here are some general guidelines on when to take down and put out feeders:
- Take down feeders by early October so late-migrating birds are not stalled from departing.
- In warmer climates like the southern U.S., California, and Arizona, keep feeders up year-round since some hummingbirds overwinter.
- Put out feeders in early spring about 2 weeks before hummingbirds normally arrive. This provides a nectar source as early arrivals appear.
- In areas with multiple migration peaks, take down feeders for 2-3 weeks between peaks to control aggressive species.
Use these timeframes as a guide, but also observe the hummingbirds in your yard each year and their behavior. Let their activity determine when you take down or put out feeders.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds are hardwired to migrate based on changes in daylight, weather, and food availability even if feeders provide a supplemental food source. Research shows that feeders do not prevent migration or encourage hummingbirds to miss their travel window. In fact, the extra nectar may help fuel migration and winter survival. While hummingbirds readily use feeders, they do not become dependent on them and can meet their needs from natural food sources. With some basic guidelines, you can provide helpful feeders during migration seasons without interrupting the amazing phenomenon of hummingbird migration.
| Migration Period | Guidelines for Feeders |
|---|---|
| Fall Migration | Take down in early October so not to delay migrating birds |
| Winter | Leave up in warmer climates where hummingbirds overwinter |
| Spring Migration | Put out 2 weeks before earliest hummingbirds arrive |
| Between Migration Peaks | Take down for 2-3 weeks to reduce aggressive behavior |
Here are some key points to remember:
- Migration is driven by instinct and environmental cues, not feeder availability.
- Feeders provide supplemental, not sole nutrition sources.
- Hummingbirds still depend heavily on insects and flowers.
- Leaving too late or arriving too early could impact breeding.
- Observe local hummingbird patterns each year to determine best feeder timing.
By following these guidelines, you can enjoy watching hummingbirds use your feeders without worrying about disrupting their natural migratory behaviors. The joy of seeing these beautiful birds up close as they fuel up is well worth the small effort to properly time when feeders are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do hummingbirds know when to migrate?
Hummingbirds appear to rely on a combination of changing day length, dropping temperatures, and food availability to know when to migrate. These cues trigger hormonal changes that stimulate migratory restlessness and fat storage. Instinct drives them to migrate even if feeders are still available.
Do hummingbirds migrate at night?
Most hummingbird migration happens at night when air is cooler and calmer. Their tiny bodies have a huge surface-area-to-volume ratio, so they are prone to heat loss. Night flight helps hummingbirds conserve energy. They use the sun and stars to navigate during night migration.
Why do we need to take down hummingbird feeders?
Taking down feeders periodically encourages hummingbirds to seek out natural food sources and prevents reliance on feeders alone. It also helps reduce aggression from dominant birds during migration seasons. Most importantly, removing feeders won’t impact migration since hummingbirds don’t depend on them.
What do hummingbirds eat besides nectar?
Hummingbirds get most of their nutrition from small insects like gnats, aphids, and spiders. They also sip tree sap and lick nectar from wildflowers. The protein from insects is especially crucial during migration. Sugar-rich nectar provides quick energy but cannot power migration alone.
Where do hummingbirds go in winter?
Most hummingbirds that summer in North America migrate to Mexico and Central America for the winter. Anna’s and Rufous hummingbirds migrate along the Pacific Coast to Mexico. Ruby-throated hummingbirds cross the Gulf of Mexico to Panama and Costa Rica. Specific wintering sites may be thousands of miles from breeding grounds.
How do hummingbirds know where to migrate?
Hummingbirds likely use a combination of instinct and learned routes to navigate to migration destinations up to thousands of miles away. They may orient themselves by the sun’s position and patterns of polarized light. Some research suggests hummingbirds can sense Earth’s magnetic fields to help guide their migration route.
Can I keep my hummingbird feeder up in winter?
In warmer climates like the southern U.S, southwestern states, and west coast, keeping feeders up through winter is fine since some hummingbird species overwinter there. However, in most northern regions it’s best to take feeders down by early October to encourage migrating birds to move on.
Do hummingbirds migrate over mountains?
Hummingbirds are capable of migrating over and between mountain ranges. For example, rufous hummingbirds breed north of the Rocky Mountains then migrate south via mountain passes. The rugged terrain poses challenges but hummingbirds are persistent and find ways through passes or around mountains.
How high do hummingbirds fly when migrating?
There is evidence that hummingbirds migrate at altitudes from just above the treetops up to 12,000 feet or more. Flying higher allows them to take advantage of fast-moving winds that can propel them along migration routes. Higher altitudes also provide cooler air.
How many times do hummingbirds migrate in a year?
Most hummingbird species migrate twice per year, traveling south in fall and north in spring. However, some southern species like Anna’s hummingbird may only migrate one direction. Males and females often migrate at different times. Amazingly, some ruby-throated hummingbirds make the 500+ mile journey across the Gulf of Mexico multiple times per year.
What is the longest hummingbird migration?
The rufous hummingbird likely makes the longest migration of any hummingbird species. Each fall these tiny birds migrate up to 4000 miles from Alaska to Mexico, with some individuals wintering as far south as Panama. Their spring return trip covers the same immense distance.
How fast does a hummingbird migrate?
Hummingbirds can fly up to 35 miles per hour horizontally. During migration they may cover 20-40 miles on an overnight flight. However, with stops to refuel, their overall migration pace averages only about 200 miles per day. So migrating 4000 miles could take 3-4 weeks in the spring or fall.
Do hummingbird feeders attract more hummingbirds?
Feeders will not lure more hummingbirds to an area beyond what would normally pass through. However, feeders provide a convenient supplemental food source that may encourage visiting hummingbirds to stick around longer. Lush native plantings that attract insects can also help make a yard more appealing.
Summary of Key Points
- Hummingbirds migrate based on environmental cues, not feeder availability.
- Feeders provide supplemental nutrition and fat for migration.
- Hummingbirds do not depend solely on feeders for survival.
- Taking down feeders periodically encourages natural foraging.
- Leave feeders up through winter only in warmer regions.
- Observe local patterns to determine best feeder timing.
Understanding that feeders are just one part of hummingbird survival helps ensure your feeder setup complements their natural migration behavior. With some thoughtful timing around when to put out or take down feeders, you can be part of supporting hummingbirds’ amazing migrations.
