Hummingbirds are amazing little birds capable of incredible feats. Their ability to hover mid-air and fly backwards distinguishes them from other birds. But how do these tiny creatures, some weighing less than a nickel, survive massive storms like hurricanes?
Do hummingbirds fly away from hurricanes?
Yes, hummingbirds do avoid hurricanes. Here’s a quick overview of what we know about hummingbird behavior before, during, and after big storms:
- Hummingbirds can sense dropping barometric pressure several days before a hurricane hits. This cues them to prepare for a long flight away from the storm.
- Most hummingbirds in the direct path of a hurricane will migrate away in advance of the storm. They have an internal compass and navigation system that helps guide them.
- Some younger hummingbirds may not migrate far enough away. Strong winds can sweep them up in the storm against their will.
- After a hurricane passes, hummingbirds that survived will start returning within a week or two to their regular habitat.
How far do hummingbirds travel to avoid hurricanes?
Research shows hummingbirds may travel hundreds of miles away from an approaching hurricane. Here are some estimates on how far they go to escape big storms:
| Species | Migration Distance |
|---|---|
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Up to 600 miles |
| Rufous Hummingbird | Up to 2,000 miles |
| Allen’s Hummingbird | Up to 1,000 miles |
As you can see, hummingbirds are capable of remarkably long migrations compared to their tiny size. The farther they travel from a storm, the better their chances of survival.
How do hummingbirds know where to migrate before hurricanes?
Hummingbirds appear to rely on the following abilities to determine where and when to migrate away from approaching hurricanes:
- Innate navigation abilities – Hummingbirds can orient themselves based on the sun’s position and detect magnetic fields to navigate accurately.
- Environmental cues – Dropping barometric pressure, strong winds, and heavy rain prompt them to relocate.
- Learned migration routes – Young hummingbirds likely learn migration paths and destinations from older birds.
Remarkably, when migrating to avoid storms, hummingbirds appear to have a mental map to preferred shelters and food sources hundreds of miles away. Their navigational skills are nothing short of incredible.
How do hummingbirds fly during hurricanes?
Hummingbirds caught in hurricanes face a tremendous struggle flying through intense winds and heavy rain. Here’s how they manage to stay aloft:
- They burn extra energy flapping their wings to resist powerful horizontal winds.
- They seek shelter in thick trees, bushes, walls, or other structures.
- They fly low to the ground to avoid the strongest winds higher up.
- They cling to branches or other stable perches when possible.
Despite their best efforts, sustaining flight under hurricane force winds takes a massive physical toll. Exhaustion and fatally colliding with debris are major risks.
How do hummingbirds survive after hurricanes?
For hummingbirds that weather big storms, the challenges don’t end once the winds die down. Here are some of the biggest post-hurricane survival threats they face:
- Lack of food – Flowers and nectar sources can be wiped out by hurricanes.
- Competing species – With limited food, native hummingbirds have to compete with migrating birds also seeking nourishment.
- Predators – Without as much tree cover, hummingbirds are more exposed to predators.
- Diseases – Contaminated water raises the risk of diseases like avian cholera.
In the aftermath of hurricanes, sufficient food sources become a limiting factor. Hummingbirds may perish even if they successfully rode out the storm itself.
How can we help hummingbirds prepare for hurricanes?
There are a few ways we can help hummingbirds in hurricane-prone areas to improve their odds:
- Provide fresh clean water – Dehydration is a major threat.
- Leave up bird feeders – Give them energy before and after storms.
- Plant native plants – Restore nectar sources after hurricanes.
- Keep cats indoors – Reduce predation risk on weakened birds.
Even small actions to support hummingbirds can make a big difference in their hurricane survival and recovery. If we provide habitat support, these resilient birds have a better chance of enduring severe storms.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds are remarkably capable of sensing approaching hurricanes and migrating hundreds of miles to escape the brunt of the storms. Their innate navigation abilities guide them to temporary shelters where food and water are plentiful. While some hummingbirds inevitably perish in big hurricanes due to exhaustion or collisions, most do migrate away successfully if given enough advance warning. If we support their needs during hurricane season, these tiny birds have a good chance of enduring whatever powerful storms come their way.
