Hummingbirds are small, colorful birds known for their ability to hover in midair and fly backwards. They are found only in the Americas, with most species occurring in Central and South America. However, some hummingbird species do migrate north into Canada and Alaska during the summer months.
Quick Answers
Yes, some species of hummingbirds do come to Alaska in the summer. The main species found in Alaska are the Rufous Hummingbird and the Calliope Hummingbird. They migrate north to take advantage of the abundance of food available during the long days of the Alaskan summer.
What Hummingbird Species Come to Alaska?
There are over 300 different species of hummingbirds in the world, but only a few venture as far north as Alaska each summer. The main species found in Alaska are:
- Rufous Hummingbird
- Calliope Hummingbird
- Anna’s Hummingbird (rare vagrant)
- Black-chinned Hummingbird (rare vagrant)
By far the most common species found in Alaska is the Rufous Hummingbird. They breed throughout southern Alaska and are found as far north as the Brooks Range and the Arctic Circle during summer. Male Rufous Hummingbirds are brightly colored with orange-red throats and shiny copper-colored backs.
Calliope Hummingbirds are the smallest breeding bird in North America and the smallest long-distance migratory bird in the world. They nest in western and central Alaska. Male Calliopes have bright magenta throats and tiny bodies that weigh less than a nickel.
Anna’s and Black-chinned Hummingbirds are rare vagrants that occasionally wander north to Alaska from their normal ranges further south.
When Do Hummingbirds Arrive in Alaska?
Hummingbirds begin arriving in southeast and southcentral Alaska as early as late April or May. The timing of their arrival depends on weather conditions and the progression of spring each year. Males tend to arrive first to establish breeding territories, followed by the females about 1-2 weeks later.
Here are the typical spring arrival times for common Alaska hummingbirds:
- Rufous Hummingbirds – Late April to Mid-May
- Calliope Hummingbirds – Mid-May
- Anna’s and Black-chinned – Rare spring vagrants
Young hummingbirds that were born the previous summer start arriving in Alaska in early to mid-summer. They follow the same migration pathways north used by adult birds. Immature males look similar to adult females until they molt and grow their colorful adult plumage.
Where Do the Hummingbirds Go in Alaska?
During summer, Alaska hummingbirds are found wherever there are abundant flowers from which they can feed on nectar. Some of the best places to spot hummingbirds include:
- Backyard gardens
- Parks
- Roadsides with wildflowers
- Alpine meadows
- Coastal communities and islands
Rufous Hummingbirds nest throughout mainland Alaska as far north as the Brooks Range. Calliope Hummingbirds are more concentrated in central and western Alaska. Good locations to see Calliopes include Denali National Park, Fairbanks, and Anchorage.
Post-breeding, hummingbirds often concentrate along the Alaska Highway in eastern Alaska feeding on fireweed and other late-blooming flowers before migrating south again in late summer.
Do Hummingbirds Migrate Through Alaska?
Alaska plays an important role as both a breeding ground and a migratory pathway for hummingbirds. The long days of summer allow for productive feeding and nesting. Then Alaska serves as an important stopover location to fuel up on food before the long southerly migrations in August and September.
Here are the key facts about hummingbird migration in Alaska:
- Most hummingbirds nesting in Alaska migrate south by late August or September.
- Fall migration is primarily in July through September.
- Southbound migrants pass through places like Juneau, Haines, and Skagway.
- Migrants stopping to feed heavily on late-blooming flowers.
- Young birds follow same migratory pathways as adults.
Banding studies by biologists have tracked Rufous Hummingbirds that nested in Alaska being recaptured later in the winter as far south as Mexico. The long migratory journey is fueled by stops to feed on flower nectar along the way.
Do Hummingbirds Live in Alaska Year-Round?
No, hummingbirds do not stay in Alaska during the winter months. While a few Anna’s and Black-chinned Hummingbirds have been spotted during winter in southeast Alaska, these are considered rare events. There are no species of hummingbird that can survive the harsh winter conditions and lack of food in Alaska on a regular basis.
All Rufous and Calliope Hummingbirds migrate south in late summer to warmer climates. They fly down the Pacific Coast or through the interior route over the Rocky Mountains to Mexico and Central America. Here the birds spend the winter feeding on tropical flowers until returning north to Alaska again in spring.
How Do Hummingbirds Survive Alaska Winters?
Hummingbirds survive cold Alaskan winters by migrating long distances to warmer climates. This allows them access to plentiful food and shelter over winter.
Key strategies include:
- Building up fat reserves before migrating by feeding heavily.
- Making a non-stop, 2,000+ mile flight over the Gulf of Mexico.
- Travelling down the Pacific coast or overland to Mexico and Panama.
- Lowering their metabolic rate and entering torpor overnight.
- Feeding on tropical flowers and nectar over the winter.
Their small size enables hummingbirds to survive periods of cold weather and food scarcity while migrating. But they could not make it through the sub-zero temperatures and deep snows that Alaska experiences in winter without migrating long distances.
How Far South Do the Alaskan Hummingbirds Travel?
Alaska’s summer hummingbirds migrate astonishing distances to their wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America. Migration distances include:
- Rufous Hummingbirds – Migrate 2,000 to 3,000 miles south. Winter range centered in Mexico.
- Calliope Hummingbirds – Migrate 2,700 to 4,000 miles south. Winter along the Mexico/Guatemala border.
- Anna’s Hummingbirds – Rare vagrants that normally winter along the Pacific Coast down to Mexico.
- Black-chinned Hummingbirds – Normally winter in Mexico and southern Arizona/New Mexico.
During this long southerly migration, the tiny birds fly non-stop over immense geographical barriers like the Gulf of Mexico and the Sonoran Desert. Fueling up in Alaska by feeding on nectar before migrating gives them energy for these incredible marathon flights.
How Do Hummingbirds Know When to Migrate?
Hummingbirds appear to rely on a mix of internal cues and external factors to know when it’s time to migrate south from Alaska in late summer:
- Changes in daylight – Shortening days stimulate migration.
- Genetics – Migration timing is programmed internally.
- Weather – Cold snaps and rainfall influence migration timing.
- Food availability – Lack of flowers and nectar sources stimulates migration.
By late August, daylight hours have significantly shortened from the constant sun of June and July. Food sources start to decline as well. These environmental cues, combined with internal genetic programming, initiate the long flights back to Mexico and Central America.
Do Hummingbirds Get Tired Migrating Such Long Distances?
The phenomenal migrations of Alaska’s hummingbirds require immense amounts of energy. The birds do get tired, but employ tactics to recover and refuel along their journey:
- They alternate between flying and stopping to rest and feed.
- Migrants follow flower bloom timing and food availability.
- They gain 40-50% in body weight before migrating from Alaska by storing fat.
- Torpor (short-term hibernation) reduces energy needs overnight.
- They conserve energy by riding wind currents when possible.
Despite all of these adaptations, the migration journey is still physiologically demanding for the tiny birds. Mortality from predation and exhaustion tends to be higher during migration than other times of year.
Why Don’t Hummingbirds Stay in Alaska Year-Round?
Hummingbirds only remain in Alaska during the summer months because winter conditions make survival there nearly impossible. Key reasons they must migrate south include:
- Freezing temperatures – Hummingbirds lack insulation and get hypothermic below 50°F (10°C).
- Lack of food – Flowers, nectar, and small insects are not available in winter.
- Lack of shelter – Deep snow and ice storms would be deadly.
- Lack of daylight – Short winter days provide minimal time to feed.
Alaska winters are simply too harsh in terms of food, shelter, sunlight, and freezing temperatures for such tiny birds to survive. Heading south to warmer climates boosts hummingbirds’ chances of survival.
Unique Adaptations of Alaska’s Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds that breed in Alaska exhibit unique evolutionary adaptations that aid their survival in northern latitudes, including:
- Lower body temperatures – They conserve energy with nighttime torpor.
- Hibernation-like torpor – To survive cold snaps and food scarcity.
- Sun compass orientation – For precise navigation during migration.
- Preferential fat storage – To fuel long endurance flights.
- Adaptations for cold – Such as dense downy plumage.
Research shows the northern breeding Calliope and Rufous Hummingbirds have lower baseline body temperatures and a greater ability to go into torpor than tropical species. This helps conserve energy in Alaska’s cold climate.
Interesting Hummingbird Facts
Here are some quick amazing facts about the tiny hummingbirds that breed in Alaska each summer:
- Beat their wings up to 70 times per second!
- World’s smallest bird species is the Bee Hummingbird at 2.24 inches long.
- Consume up to twice their body weight in nectar daily.
- Their feet are so weak they can barely walk, only perch.
- Rufous Hummingbirds fly over 3,900 miles during annual migration.
- Some Calliope Hummingbirds weigh less than a penny.
- Hummingbirds are the only birds able to fly backwards.
- Have 1,000-1,500 feathers, the fewest of any bird species.
Despite being tiny, hummingbirds are phenomenal flyers. Their speed and maneuverability give them special access to flower nectar unavailable to other larger birds. This helps explain their success across North and South America.
Conclusion
While most people may not think of Alaska as hummingbird territory, several species make an annual migration north to take advantage of abundant summer food. Rufous Hummingbirds and Calliope Hummingbirds are the primary species that breed in Alaska during the brief but highly productive summer months.
These tiny birds must carefully time their arrival and departure each year with the progression of flowers blooming and dying back. Hummingbird migration in Alaska is an amazing phenomenon linking northern breeding grounds with overwintering tropical locations thousands of miles away.
