Hummingbirds are one of the most fascinating birds that call Arizona home. Their diminutive size, beautiful plumage, and incredible flying abilities make them a favorite among birdwatchers and nature lovers. Many hummingbird species migrate through or breed in Arizona, taking advantage of the numerous flowering plants and reliable nectar sources in this southwestern state. But do hummingbirds that live or breed in Arizona actually migrate seasonally?
Summary
Most hummingbird species that breed in Arizona do indeed migrate seasonally. Of the 12 hummingbird species regularly observed in Arizona, eight are summer residents that migrate south in the fall, while four are year-round residents. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird migrates through Arizona in spring and fall but does not breed there. Southbound migration from Arizona breeding grounds primarily takes place in late summer and early fall, while northbound migration occurs in early spring. During migration, southwestern Arizona is an important stopover location for many hummingbird species fueling up on nectar before crossing the Sonoran Desert. Broad-tailed Hummingbirds are among the furthest migrating, traveling between Arizona and southern Mexico. Rufous Hummingbirds also migrate long distances between the Pacific Northwest and Mexico. Anna’s, Costa’s, and Black-chinned Hummingbirds migrate medium distances of hundreds of miles between Arizona and Mexico. Calliope and Broad-billed Hummingbirds migrate relatively short distances within the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. Costa’s Hummingbirds are increasingly overwintering in Arizona due to climate change and habitat provisioning. The four Arizona resident hummingbird species – Anna’s, Costa’s, Black-chinned, and Lucifer’s – may migrate short elevational distances but do not make long seasonal migrations.
Hummingbird Species of Arizona
There are 12 species of hummingbirds that are regularly observed in Arizona according to Arizona Game and Fish Department records. The most widespread and commonly seen species include:
- Anna’s Hummingbird
- Black-chinned Hummingbird
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird
- Broad-billed Hummingbird
- Calliope Hummingbird
- Rufous Hummingbird
- Allen’s Hummingbird
- Costa’s Hummingbird
- Lucifer’s Hummingbird
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Berylline Hummingbird
- Violet-crowned Hummingbird
These species have different migration strategies. Some are long distance migrants that breed in Arizona and winter in Mexico. Others are medium distance migrants that may breed and winter in Arizona but migrate moderate distances in between. A few species are year-round residents in Arizona and may undergo local elevational movements but do not make substantial seasonal migrations.
Long Distance Migrants
There are five hummingbird species that make substantial migrations of over 1,000 miles between their Arizona breeding grounds and Mexican wintering grounds:
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird – Breeds across the mountains and canyons of central to southern Arizona. Migrates between central Mexico and southern Arizona.
- Rufous Hummingbird – Breeds in northern and central Arizona. Migrates between the Pacific Northwest and Mexico.
- Allen’s Hummingbird – Uncommon breeder in southeast Arizona. Migrates between Mexico and the Pacific Coast.
- Calliope Hummingbird – Breeds in northern and central Arizona mountains. Winters along the Pacific Coast into Mexico.
- Broad-billed Hummingbird – Local breeder in southeast Arizona. Winters primarily in western Mexico.
Of these long-distance migrants, the Rufous and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds migrate the furthest – up to 5,000 miles roundtrip between breeding and wintering grounds! Their migration is one of the most incredible journeys in the animal kingdom given their tiny body size.
These hummingbirds migrate south from Arizona starting in July, with most birds gone by early October. Northbound migration happens more rapidly, with the bulk occurring in late February and March. During migration they make important stopovers in southwestern Arizona to rest and refuel.
Medium Distance Migrants
There are three hummingbird species that migrate moderate distances of several hundred miles between breeding grounds in Arizona and wintering areas in Mexico and the southwestern U.S:
- Black-chinned Hummingbird – Breeds across Arizona. Winters in Mexico and along the southeast California to Texas corridor.
- Anna’s Hummingbird – Breeds in central and southern Arizona. Winters in Arizona, California and Mexico.
- Costa’s Hummingbird – Breeds in southern Arizona. Winters in southwestern Arizona and Mexico.
These hummingbirds begin migrating south in late summer, with most gone by late fall. They start returning to Arizona as early as late January. Their migration distances are highly variable based on food availability.
Short Distance Migrants
Two Arizona breeding hummingbirds undergo relatively short migrations of a few hundred miles between breeding and wintering grounds:
- Lucifer’s Hummingbird – Local breeder in southeast Arizona. Winters in southern Arizona and Mexico.
- Violet-crowned Hummingbird – Rare breeder in southern Arizona. Winters in Mexico.
These species migrate moderate distances to find suitable habitat and food resources. Lucifer’s Hummingbirds start migrating south in September and return as early as February. Violet-crowned migration is poorly studied but likely follows a similar schedule.
Transient Migrant
One hummingbird species migrates through Arizona in spring and fall but does not breed there:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird – This species breeds in eastern North America. Some birds migrate through Arizona in spring and fall between Mexico and more northern breeding grounds.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds migrate through Arizona from late March through May on their way to more northern breeding sites. Southbound migration occurs from late August through October. Their migration is rapid and they rarely stay long in Arizona.
Arizona Residents
There are four hummingbird species considered resident throughout the year in Arizona, not undergoing substantial seasonal migrations:
- Anna’s Hummingbird – Year-round resident that breeds across most of Arizona.
- Costa’s Hummingbird – Year-round resident and local breeder, especially in desert regions.
- Black-chinned Hummingbird – Year-round resident that breeds statewide.
- Lucifer’s Hummingbird – Year-round resident and local breeder in southeast Arizona.
These resident hummingbirds may make local elevational movements to find favorable habitat and food resources, but most individuals do not undergo major seasonal migrations. Some Black-chinned and Costa’s Hummingbirds that breed in Arizona do migrate south in winter, while others remain as year-round residents.
Why Migrate?
Hummingbirds migrate for a combination of reasons related to resources and breeding:
- Food – Hummingbirds migrate to locations with abundant flower nectar and insect food sources.
- Climate – Hummingbirds move to areas with suitable temperatures and precipitation for survival.
- Breeding Habitat – Male hummingbirds migrate first to establish breed territories with optimal flowers, insects, and nest sites.
- Nesting – Female hummingbirds migrate to these established breeding territories to mate and raise young.
Arizona provides excellent breeding habitat for many hummingbird species, with diverse nectar flower resources and suitable climate in spring and summer. But some species migrate south in winter when food becomes scarce and cold temperatures increase energy needs.
Migration Routes through Arizona
Southwestern Arizona is an important migration corridor and stopover location for many hummingbird species. Key migration routes include:
- Eastern Arizona along major river drainages used by Rufous and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds migrating to/from Mexico.
- Southeast Arizona scrub and canyon habitat used by Lucifer’s, Costa’s, Anna’s, and Black-chinned Hummingbirds.
- Central and southern Arizona mountains used by migrating Calliope and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds.
- Desert oases used as stopover habitat by southbound migrating hummingbirds fueling up.
Central and southeast Arizona see the most migrant hummingbird activity in spring and fall because of the diversity of suitable stopover habitat.
Stopover Habitat Needs
When migrating through Arizona, hummingbirds need suitable stopover habitat to rest and refuel, especially in fall when southbound. This habitat should provide:
- Abundant nectar flowers like agave and desert mistletoe.
- Insect prey like beetles, flies, bees to meet high protein needs.
- Protected desert washes and canyons providing cover.
- Water sources like springs and streams for drinking and bathing.
- Ample substrate perches for resting between feedings.
Hummingbirds migrating through desert and riparian areas often experience higher mortality without suitable stopover habitat. Conservation efforts focused on preserving and enhancing key stopover areas can significantly improve migration success.
Threats During Migration
Hummingbirds face several key threats and challenges during migration through Arizona including:
- Lack of food at stopover sites, especially flower nectar.
- Predation risk, especially from hawk and jay species.
- Exposure to severe weather events like storms, cold snaps, and high winds.
- Collisions with buildings, towers, vehicles, and other structures.
- Habitat loss at stopover sites from development, grazing, and agriculture.
These threats may cause injury, exhaustion, or mortality. Protecting and maintaining suitable stopover habitat is crucial for migration success.
Climate Change Impacts
Climate change is already altering hummingbird migration patterns and behavior in Arizona in several key ways:
- Shifting suitable breeding ranges northward for some species.
- Increasing number of vagrant species turning up outside normal ranges.
- More overwintering of migrant hummingbirds instead of migrating south.
- Earlier spring migration and breeding due to warming temperatures.
- Increased drought impacts on flower nectar resources.
These changes likely reflect a combination of factors like warming temperatures, shifting food resources, and competition pressures. Maintaining adequate habitat connections will be critical for facilitating future climate-driven migration changes.
Importance of Desert Oases
Small desert oases with free-flowing water are critically important as stopover habitat for migrating hummingbirds in Arizona. Key examples include:
- Ramsey Canyon – Reliable spring-fed water attracts up to 14 species of migrating hummingbirds to this southeast Arizona canyon.
- Madera Canyon – A diversity of flowers and insects support 12 species of migrating hummingbirds.
- Patagonia Rest Stop – This planted roadside rest area provides a needed nectar source for many migrating species.
- Ash Canyon – Water and flowers in this Big Bend National Park canyon attract numerous spring and fall migrants.
Protecting and enhancing similar desert oases and riparian areas creates an interconnected network of sites for migrating hummingbirds to rest and refuel as they travel through Arizona and the greater Southwest.
Citizen Science Opportunities
Birders and nature enthusiasts can contribute to understanding hummingbird migration in Arizona through citizen science projects like:
- Hummingbird Monitoring Network – Contributors track first arrival dates, numbers, and behaviors at feeders and flowering plants to provide migration data.
- eBird – Birders submit checklists documenting migrating hummingbird species presence and numbers.
- Journey North – Participants report hummingbird arrival dates and activities to map spring migration patterns.
- AZ Hummingbird Feeders – This Facebook group collects western U.S. hummingbird migration sightings and data.
- Tucson Audubon Society – Naturalist-led hummingbird walks document migration timing and provide data.
These projects help fill information gaps and identify important stopover sites to benefit hummingbird research and conservation.
Importance of Monitoring and Conservation
Monitoring and conservation efforts are important for protecting hummingbird migration in Arizona, including:
- Installing hummingbird feeders, pollinator gardens, and native plantings at key stopover sites.
- Educating the public on threats like pesticides, cats, and collisions.
- Restoring degraded habitat through tree planting, erosion control, and non-native plant removal.
- Ensuring adequate flowering resources by protecting wildflower areas and oases.
- Citizen science monitoring of first arrival dates, population numbers, and migration intensities.
- Working with transportation agencies to identify and mitigate collision risks.
Sustained research, land protection, and education initiatives are key for maintaining healthy migration patterns in the face of growing threats.
Conclusion
In conclusion, most of the hummingbird species breeding in Arizona do indeed migrate south in the fall to wintering grounds in Mexico and the southwestern U.S. This includes long-distance migrants like Broad-tailed, Rufous, and Calliope Hummingbirds. Medium-distance migrants include Costa’s, Anna’s, and Black-chinned Hummingbirds. A few species like Lucifer’s Hummingbirds only migrate short distances. Ruby-throats migrate rapidly through the state in spring and fall. Year-round resident species in Arizona include Anna’s, Costa’s, Black-chinned, and Lucifer’s Hummingbirds. These hummingbirds migrate to find optimal breeding conditions and food resources. Climate change is already impacting migration patterns. Oases and riparian areas in southwestern Arizona provide essential stopover habitat for fueling up during migration journeys. Sustained monitoring, habitat conservation, and public education are crucial for maintaining healthy hummingbird migration in this critical southwestern corridor.
