Hummingbirds are some of the smallest and most unique birds found throughout the Americas. Known for their ability to hover and fly backwards, hummingbirds have captured the fascination of people for centuries. One of the most intriguing things about hummingbirds is their migration patterns. Do hummingbirds migrate to Central America like many other birds?
Do hummingbirds migrate?
Yes, most hummingbirds do migrate. Out of the 338 known species of hummingbirds, the majority are migratory to some degree. The main reason hummingbirds migrate is to find suitable habitat and food sources during different seasons.
Hummingbirds migrate for a few key reasons:
- Food availability – Hummingbirds need a constant supply of nectar from flowers and insects/spiders to survive. When flower bloom seasons change in an area due to shifting seasons, hummingbirds will migrate to follow the peak bloom period of their preferred flower food sources.
- Climate – Hummingbirds can survive in a wide range of climates, but are generally tropical and subtropical birds. During the colder months, many hummingbird species migrate to warmer climates where they can better thermoregulate and survive.
- Breeding – Some hummingbird species migrate to take advantage of optimal breeding conditions and resources in different locations during spring/summer months.
- Predator avoidance – Migrating allows hummingbirds to avoid certain predators and find safer nesting sites for breeding.
The distance and exact migration routes flown can vary greatly among different hummingbird species. Some species, like the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, may fly over 2,000 miles between their breeding and wintering grounds. Other hummingbird species are more limited in their migration and may only migrate shorter distances up and down mountain sides.
Do hummingbirds migrate to Central America?
Yes, Central America is a key migration destination and wintering ground for many hummingbird species that breed in North America. Here are some of the hummingbird species that migrate to Central America:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Rufous Hummingbird
- Allen’s Hummingbird
- Costa’s Hummingbird
- Anna’s Hummingbird
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird
- Magnificent Hummingbird
Central American countries like Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador all serve as overwintering grounds for North American breeding hummingbirds. These tropical environments provide the nectar, insect food sources, and appropriate habitat that hummingbirds need during the winter months.
Some key examples:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbirds that breed in the eastern United States and Canada migrate through Mexico and down into Central America for the winter months.
- Rufous Hummingbirds that breed in the Pacific Northwest of North America migrate down the west coast to winter in Mexico and Central America.
- Costa’s Hummingbirds that breed along the California coast migrate into Baja California, Mexico and may sometimes reach northern Central America.
Central American wintering habitats typically include tropical forests, gardens, meadows, swamps, savannas, and scrublands that provide the flowers, feeding insects, and safe resting spots that hummingbirds need.
What is the migration route?
The migration route taken by hummingbirds varies by species, but generally follows a somewhat direct path north and south between the breeding ranges and Central American wintering grounds. Here are some key details on hummingbird migration routes:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbirds take a trans-Gulf migration route, crossing ~500 miles over the Gulf of Mexico directly between the Yucatan Peninsula and the Southern United States.
- Rufous and Allen’s Hummingbirds migrate down the west coast of North America, crossing into Mexico and continuing southeast into Central America.
- Costa’s Hummingbirds migrate south within California or along the Baja California Peninsula into Mexico/Central America.
- Broad-tailed Hummingbirds migrate south through Arizona, New Mexico and into Mexico on their way to Central America.
Hummingbirds require stopover points along their migration route to rest and refuel. Backyards, parks, meadows, and protected nature areas throughout Mexico and Central America provide important migratory stopover habitat.
Some ocean crossing hummingbirds like the Ruby-throated may fly nonstop over hundreds of miles of open water during migration, an incredible feat for such a tiny bird!
When does hummingbird migration occur?
The timing of hummingbird migration corresponds with the blooming cycles of flowers and other food resources along their migratory route:
- Spring migration north: February – May
- Fall migration south: July – November
Here are some details on the migration timing for common Central American hummingbird migrants:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Migrates to Central America in September-November, returns to breeding grounds in March-May
- Rufous Hummingbird: Migrates August-November, returns February-April
- Allen’s Hummingbird: Migrates July-September, returns March-May
- Costa’s Hummingbird: Migrates August-November, returns February-April
Young fledgling hummingbirds often migrate later in fall and may overwinter further north before completing the full migration to Central America by their second year.
How do hummingbirds migrate?
Hummingbirds migrate solo and fly by day, traveling anywhere from 23-160 miles on average each day depending on the species. Here are some key facts about how hummingbirds migrate:
- Hummingbirds can fly up to 30 mph aided by a figure-8 wing motion.
- Ruby-throated Hummingbirds beat their wings up to 53 times per second!
- Hummingbirds fly low, often just above treetops or water.
- Some hummingbirds fly nonstop over 500-600 miles of open water.
- Fat stores and enlarged liver provide energy for migration.
- Excellent memory helps hummingbirds retrace migration routes.
Hummingbirds make their incredible migratory journeys fueled only by nectar, sap, and small insects. Access to stopover habitat along the migration route is crucial for rest and refueling.
Why do hummingbirds migrate to Central America?
Central America provides an ideal overwintering destination for North American hummingbirds for several key reasons:
- Abundant food sources – The tropical forests and shrublands of Central America supply the nectar and small insects that hummingbirds rely on.
- Suitable habitat – Gardens, meadows, and savannas provide habitat similar to the open, flower-rich environments hummingbirds occupy farther north.
- Warmer weather – The subtropical and tropical climates of Central America allow hummingbirds to more easily maintain their high metabolisms and energy needs.
- Lower predation risk – Central America offers relatively safer overwintering habitat away from certain predators.
- Breeding opportunities – Some hummingbirds take advantage of resources in Central America for a second breeding season.
The rich diversity of hummingbird-pollinated flowers and the relatively mild conditions make Central America an optimal winter destination sandwiched between the breeding ranges in North America and South America.
Major wintering areas in Central America
Here are some of the major countries and geographic regions where North American breeding hummingbirds spend the winter months in Central America:
- Southern Mexico – Dense concentrations along the coasts and lowlands.
- Guatemala – Lower mountain slopes, coastal regions, and nature reserves.
- Belize – Lowland pine savannas, broadleaf forests, and protected areas.
- Honduras – North coast, forests, and offshore islands like Roatan.
- Nicaragua – Tropical forests in protected areas like Indio Maiz.
- Costa Rica – Lowlands and foothills, especially on the Pacific side.
- Panama – Tropical lowlands and protected areas like Fortuna.
Many hummingbirds overwinter across a range of elevations, moving slightly higher into mountains as spring approaches before migrating north.
Do Central American hummingbirds migrate north?
While Central America hosts a wide diversity of resident hummingbird species, some do migrate north into North America for the breeding season. Examples include:
- Blue-throated Hummingbird
- Broad-billed Hummingbird
- Violet Sabrewing
- Berylline Hummingbird
These hummingbird species generally breed in the southwestern United States and Mexico before returning to wintering grounds in Central America. Their migration timing and routes occur in reverse of the northbound migrants.
Central America also has many hummingbird species that are year-round residents and do not migrate north, such as the Green-breasted Mango and White-necked Jacobin.
Threats faced by migrating hummingbirds
Hummingbirds face a number of threats and challenges during their migration journeys each year:
- Habitat loss – Deforestation, urbanization, and reduction of stopover sites along migration routes.
- Pesticides – Chemical contamination at stopover points that reduce insect food supplies.
- Window collisions – Billions of birds collide with buildings annually during migration.
- Climate change – Altered timing of blooms and migration schedules make journeys more difficult.
- Extreme weather – Storms along Gulf and ocean crossings that blow hummingbirds off course.
Protecting migratory stopover habitats through parks, reserves, and backyards gardens is crucial. Public education and policies that reduce pesticide use and mitigate climate change also help protect hummingbirds during migration.
Interesting hummingbird migration facts
- Ruby-throated Hummingbirds weigh only 3-4 grams but migrate over 2,000 miles roundtrip.
- Hummingbirds are the smallest migratory bird in the world.
- Young hummingbirds often return north and migrate south solo for the first time by their first summer.
- Male hummingbirds tend to arrive at breeding grounds first to claim prime territory.
- Some hummingbirds migrate over the Gulf of Mexico nonstop, flying for up to 24 hours.
- Hummingbirds use a range of navigation cues including the sun, stars, and polarized light patterns.
- Hummingbird species diversity peaks in the Andes Mountains and Central America.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the majority of hummingbird species that breed in North America do indeed migrate south to spend the winter in Central America. Countries like Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Panama provide the ideal overwintering destination for hummingbirds due to the warm climates, diversity of flowers, and relatively safe habitat conditions. Dozens of hummingbird species make this remarkable seasonal journey over thousands of miles in a spectacular display of nature’s resilience and tenacity.
