Hummingbirds are some of the smallest and most unique birds found in nature. Their ability to hover midair and fly backwards sets them apart from other birds. Hummingbirds are native to the Americas and prefer warmer climates. This raises an interesting question – do hummingbirds migrate north in the summer when most other birds are heading south? Keep reading to learn more about hummingbird migration patterns and their summer whereabouts.
Do hummingbirds migrate?
Yes, most hummingbird species do migrate. However, their migration is unique compared to other birds. While most birds migrate south for the winter, many hummingbirds migrate north for the summer.
The main reason hummingbirds migrate north in summer is to take advantage of all the flowers and food available during the peak growing season. Hummingbirds eat mostly nectar from flowers and tiny insects they find while foraging. Northern regions provide an abundance of these resources in the summer months.
Some key facts about hummingbird migration:
- Most hummingbirds that breed in the United States and Canada migrate south in fall to spend winter in Mexico or Central America.
- In spring, these hummingbirds migrate back north again, some reaching as far as Alaska.
- A few southern species, like Anna’s and Rufous hummingbirds, migrate north for the summer.
- Ruby-throated hummingbirds migrate the farthest, flying across the Gulf of Mexico in a nonstop, 20+ hour journey.
So in summary, while most hummingbirds do follow a typical migration pattern south for winter, many species also continue migrating north again in the spring to take advantage of seasonal food resources.
What species migrate north in summer?
There are several hummingbird species that are known to migrate north in the summer:
Rufous Hummingbird
The Rufous hummingbird has one of the longest migration routes of all hummingbirds. It breeds in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska during summer before migrating south to Mexico for winter. Some Rufous hummingbirds may fly over 2,000 miles each way.
Allen’s Hummingbird
Allen’s hummingbirds breed along the Pacific Coast from California to Oregon during summer. In winter, they migrate south to Mexico and coastal California.
Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s hummingbirds are year-round residents across much of the Pacific Coast. However, some populations in Mexico and Arizona migrate north to California, Oregon, and British Columbia in summer.
Calliope Hummingbird
Calliope hummingbirds breed in western North America from Washington to Alaska in summer, migrating south to Mexico in winter.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Broad-tailed hummingbirds nest in the Rocky Mountains and southwest United States in summer. They migrate south to Mexico for the winter months.
Why do hummingbirds migrate north in summer?
There are several key reasons hummingbirds migrate north in the summer:
More Flowering Plants
Hummingbirds rely heavily on nectar from flowering plants. Northern regions see an explosion of flowers during their peak growing season in summer, providing ample food.
Increased Insects
Insects, which hummingbirds eat for their protein content, are also more abundant in northern regions in the summer.
Longer Daylight Hours
The long days of northern summers allow hummingbirds extra daylight hours to forage and build up their energy stores.
Mild Summer Temperatures
Northern regions can provide an ideal climate for hummingbirds in summer, with mild temperatures and lower risk of overheating.
Expanded Nesting Habitat
Nesting further north provides hummingbirds access to additional habitat and nesting locations during the breeding season.
By taking advantage of these optimal summer conditions, hummingbirds can successfully breed and fatten up for their long southern migration in fall.
What is their migration route?
Hummingbirds follow different migration routes depending on the species, but they generally follow a loop pattern. Here are some key details:
- Most species breed in the U.S. and Canada in summer before migrating south to Mexico and Central America for winter.
- In spring they migrate north again, along the Pacific Coast or through Texas and the Gulf Coast.
- Some species follow a figure eight pattern, with one loop along the west coast and another through the Rocky Mountains.
- Ruby-throated hummingbirds make a nonstop flight across the Gulf of Mexico, a 500+ mile journey.
This map shows the major migration routes of common summer hummingbirds that travel north:
| Species | Summer Range | Winter Range |
|---|---|---|
| Rufous Hummingbird | Pacific Northwest, Alaska | Mexico |
| Allen’s Hummingbird | California, Oregon | Mexico, California |
| Anna’s Hummingbird | Pacific Coast, British Columbia | California, Mexico |
| Calliope Hummingbird | Pacific Northwest, Alaska | Mexico |
| Broad-tailed Hummingbird | Rocky Mountains, Southwest | Mexico |
As this data shows, most hummingbirds follow a predictable pattern of nesting further north in the summer and migrating south to warmer climates in winter.
How far north do they travel?
Many hummingbird species travel remarkably far north in summer, reaching some surprisingly high latitudes. Here are some examples:
- Rufous hummingbirds breed as far north as Alaska along the Inside Passage.
- Calliope hummingbirds nest in western Canada up to southern Alaska.
- Ruby-throated hummingbirds can reach provinces along Canada’s Atlantic coast.
- Broad-tailed hummingbirds breed at elevations up to 12,000 feet in the Rocky Mountains.
- Anna’s hummingbirds nest as far north as southern British Columbia.
In fact, Alaska sees up to 14 different hummingbird species in summer as they migrate to breed. The hummingbird species that migrates the farthest north is the Rufous. It flies 3,000 miles each way between its wintering grounds in Mexico and its summer nesting area in Alaska.
Northernmost Hummingbird Sightings
Here are some records for the northernmost hummingbird sightings during summer migration:
| Species | Northernmost Sighting |
|---|---|
| Rufous Hummingbird | Homer, Alaska |
| Calliope Hummingbird | Fairbanks, Alaska |
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Broad-tailed Hummingbird | British Columbia, Canada |
These long-distance migrants travel remarkably far to take advantage of the most favorable breeding conditions.
When do they migrate north?
Most hummingbirds migrate north in early spring as soon as flowers begin to bloom and food resources become available. Here are some details on when different species head north:
- Rufous hummingbirds – Begin migrating north in February and March.
- Calliope hummingbirds – Start spring migration in March and April.
- Broad-tailed hummingbirds – Travel north in April and May.
- Ruby-throated hummingbirds – Migrate north from March through May.
- Anna’s hummingbirds – Leave winter grounds starting in January and February.
The earlier arrival of Rufous and Anna’s hummingbirds is related to their tendency to spend winters along the Pacific Coast where flowers bloom earlier. Ruby-throated and Broad-tailed hummingbirds, which winter in Mexico and Central America migrate north later as the climate warms.
This chart shows the approximate spring migration period for common summer hummingbirds:
| Species | Spring Migration Period |
|---|---|
| Rufous Hummingbird | February to March |
| Allen’s Hummingbird | February to April |
| Anna’s Hummingbird | January to February |
| Calliope Hummingbird | March to April |
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | March to May |
| Broad-tailed Hummingbird | April to May |
Timing their arrival to coincide with flower blooming ensures hummingbirds have access to enough food resources during migration and establishment of breeding territories.
How do they know when to migrate?
Hummingbirds appear to rely on a combination of internal and environmental cues to know when to start migrating north in spring:
Changes in Day Length
Increasing daylight triggers hormonal changes that stimulate migratory instincts. Hummingbirds appear to be highly attuned to shifts in photoperiod.
Internal Circadian Rhythms
Even in captivity, hummingbirds become restless at times that correspond with migration seasons, suggesting internal rhythms also control urge to migrate.
Availability of Flowers & Insects
Arriving hummingbirds depend on nectar for food, so timing migration to flower blooming periods is vital. More insects also help signal good conditions.
Weather Conditions
Warmer temperatures and lack of winter weather helps indicate safe conditions to migrate north and establish breeding territories.
Orientation of Night Sky
Star patterns and position of setting sun may help calibrate internal compass used for navigation during migration.
Genetics & Experience
Younger birds may follow experienced adults. Migratory routes are also largely genetically programmed through natural selection.
So in summary, hummingbirds have a sensitive internal migration clock they synchronize with changing seasonal conditions to determine the optimal timing.
How long does migration take?
The duration of hummingbird migration depends on the distance travelled between their summer and winter ranges. Some key facts:
- Ruby-throated hummingbirds may migrate over 500 miles nonstop across the Gulf of Mexico in a 20+ hour flight.
- Rufous hummingbirds make one of the longest migrations – up to 5,000 miles roundtrip.
- Hummingbirds migrate relatively slowly, averaging about 25-30 miles per day.
- A one-way migration may take 2-3 months for some species.
- The pace depends on food availability, weather, and geography along the route.
For example, a Calliope hummingbird migrating between southern Mexico and Washington state might travel 4,000 miles over 60 days, averaging 60-70 miles per travel day.
The small size of hummingbirds limits how far they can fly nonstop without refueling. Their long journeys are comprised of many short hops between flower patches along the route. Strong headwinds can also slow their progress. But given the huge distances some species cover, these tiny birds are impressively tenacious migrants.
Do they migrate at night?
Hummingbirds mostly migrate during daytime hours when flowers are available as refueling sources. However, they are capable of migratory flights at night in some cases:
- Ruby-throated hummingbirds make nonstop overwater flights across the Gulf of Mexico at night when flower resources are unavailable.
- Hummingbirds are sometimes detected on radar migrating at night over land areas.
- They may avoid overheating by flying at cooler nighttime temperatures in deserts.
- Young hummingbirds migrating for the first time may accidentally end up over water or other inhospitable areas at night.
While migrating primarily during the day is preferred, hummingbirds can and will migrate at night when conditions require it. Their ability to enter torpor allows them to conserve energy even during overnight flights.
Conclusion
While most songbirds migrate south for winter, many hummingbird species head north during our spring and summer to take advantage of seasonal food resources needed for breeding. These tiny birds make remarkably long migrations of thousands of miles between Canada, the U.S., and Central America.
Some species like the Rufous, Calliope, and Ruby-throated migrate incredible distances up to Alaska and Canada’s northern provinces each year. Their northward migration is timed to flower blooming and boosted daylight hours. Understanding the migration patterns of hummingbirds and their reasons for heading north can help birders know when and where to look for these spectacular migrants. Providing nectar feeders and gardens full of their favorite flowers gives them the fuel they need for the long journey.
