Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures known for their ability to hover in midair and fly backwards. Their bright, iridescent feathers shimmer in the sunlight as they flit from flower to flower in search of nectar. But what happens to hummingbirds when winter arrives and temperatures drop? Do they continue to stay active or do they migrate to warmer climates?
Quick Answers
The short answer is that most, but not all, hummingbirds migrate and leave their summer breeding grounds in North America before winter begins. The type of hummingbird determines whether it is migratory or a year-round resident in certain areas. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most common migratory hummingbird in North America. Anna’s Hummingbirds and some Rufous Hummingbirds remain year-round residents along the Pacific Coast and in the Southwest deserts.
Migration Patterns of Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are remarkable for their long migrations. For their size, they make one of the most incredible migratory journeys in the animal kingdom. Here are some key facts about hummingbird migration:
- The majority of hummingbirds in North America, including the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, migrate south in the fall to spend the winter in Mexico or Central America.
- Some western hummingbirds, such as Rufous Hummingbirds and Allen’s Hummingbirds, migrate through states like California and Arizona to winter along the Gulf Coast.
- Hummingbirds fly nonstop over the Gulf of Mexico, a 500 mile journey, during both their spring and fall migrations.
- Before migrating, hummingbirds enter hyperphagia, a period of intense feeding to double their body weight in preparation for the energy demands of migration.
- Hummingbirds migrate north again in the spring, returning to their breeding grounds as early as February and March.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most common backyard hummingbird in Eastern North America. Ruby-throats breed across Canada and the Eastern United States in summer. As temperatures drop in fall, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds begin migrating south to their wintering grounds in Florida, Mexico, and Central America. Very few Ruby-throated Hummingbirds remain through winter north of the Gulf Coast states.
Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbirds are year-round residents along the Pacific Coast states from Baja California to Washington. Some also live in the southwestern U.S. desert regions. Their range has expanded northward in recent decades, possibly due to warmer winter temperatures and artificial feeders providing food. Anna’s Hummingbirds are one species that can be found through the winter in some northern areas, even during snow or cold snaps.
Rufous Hummingbird
About 3/4 of Rufous Hummingbirds migrate from their breeding grounds in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska to spend winter in Mexico and the Gulf Coast. However, some Rufous Hummingbirds have adapted to remain year-round in warmer lowland areas west of the Cascade Mountains and desert regions of the Southwest.
Do Any Hummingbirds Stay Through Winter?
Most hummingbirds retreat south before the onset of winter. However, a few exceptions exist where hummingbirds can be spotted through the winter far north of their typical migratory ranges:
- Anna’s Hummingbirds along the West Coast from California to Washington.
- Rufous Hummingbirds in coastal Pacific Northwest and Southwest deserts.
- Rare sightings of Calliope Hummingbirds in winter along California coast.
- Rare sightings of vagrant Ruby-throated Hummingbirds that linger into early winter on the U.S. Gulf Coast and southern Florida.
In these areas, hummingbirds rely heavily on feeders for their survival through cold periods when flowering plants are not available. They go into nocturnal torpor nightly to conserve energy.
Hummingbirds Seen During Winter on the East Coast
In eastern North America, the occasional wandering hummingbird gets reported over winter. These reports likely fall into a few categories:
- Vagrant western hummingbird species far outside their typical range.
- Young first-year hummingbirds not yet migrated.
- Rare wintering Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.
It’s important to note that these winter hummingbird sightings in the East are rare outliers. The vast majority of breeding hummingbirds that summer in the Eastern United States do migrate south in fall.
Why Do Hummingbirds Migrate?
Hummingbirds are prompted to migrate each fall because of certain environmental triggers and physiological changes:
- Decreasing daylight hours stimulate migration urges.
- Lack of flowering plants and nectar sources force hummingbirds to move on.
- Cold temperatures increase risk of starvation and freezing.
- Hummingbirds enter hyperphagia and nearly double their weight in fat before migrating.
These signals cause hummingbirds to leave the no longer hospitable breeding grounds for warmer climates where nectar supplies are more plentiful through winter. The exceptions are hummingbird species like Anna’s Hummingbird that have adapted to handle cold weather and minimal food at higher latitudes.
How Do Hummingbirds Survive Cold Nights?
Hummingbirds have adapted some remarkable strategies to survive periods of cold at night when their high metabolism continues burning energy:
- Torpor – Hummingbirds enter a temporary state of deep sleep where their metabolic rate drops to conserve energy.
- Fat reserves – Before torpor, hummingbirds build up fat stores to provide extra energy through the night.
- Nestled in thick vegetation – Hummingbirds find sheltered roosting spots in trees or shrubs to reduce heat loss.
- Fluffed feathers – Fluffing their plumage creates insulating air pockets to retain body heat.
- Turning their backs – Hummingbirds sleep while perched sideways so cold air doesn’t hit their most vulnerable bare body parts.
This combination of adaptations allows hummingbirds to maintain their incredibly high metabolism in cold climates and survive winter nights.
Interesting Facts About Hummingbird Migration
Here are some fascinating tidbits about the migration behavior of hummingbirds:
- Young hummingbirds migrate south without any assistance or guidance from parents. Instinct drives them to embark on their first migration.
- Hummingbirds fly low altitudes, often just skimming above the treetops, during migration to watch for food sources along the way.
- Migrating hummingbirds have been detected flying nonstop for up to 22 hours at speeds around 25 mph.
- Banding studies show hummingbirds remarkably return to the exact same breeding grounds year after year.
- Females and young hummingbirds depart earlier in fall than adult males who stay behind longer.
Spotting Hummingbirds in Winter
While most people won’t see a hummingbird in winter, here are tips to potentially spot one of these unusual winter hummingbird sightings:
- Keep feeders filled as winter food sources are critical for hummingbirds that linger.
- Leave natural vegetation and flowers intact to provide shelter and any remaining nectar.
- Focus on areas along the Pacific Coast, Southwest desert, and Gulf Coast where wintering hummingbirds are most likely.
- Birders can report winter sightings to eBird or post photos online for identification help.
Even when hummingbirds leave for winter, we can look forward to their return in spring as they undertake another remarkable migration back to our gardens
Conclusion
While hummingbirds delight us with their beauty during spring and summer in much of North America, most migrate south when winter arrives. A few hardy species have adapted to handle cold temps and minimal food in some western and southwestern areas throughout the year. But the majority, including the Ruby-throated Hummingbird of the East, embark on an incredible journey south and return to breed again come springtime.
