Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating birds found in nature. Known for their incredibly fast wing beats and ability to hover in midair, hummingbirds capture the imagination of birdwatchers and nature lovers alike. One of the most intriguing aspects of hummingbird behavior is their annual migration. Do hummingbirds that spend their summers in North America migrate all the way to South America for the winter? Let’s examine the evidence.
Do Hummingbirds Migrate?
Yes, most hummingbird species that breed in North America do indeed migrate for the winter rather than remain in their summer range year-round. This includes familiar backyard hummingbirds like the ruby-throated hummingbird and rufous hummingbird. When cold weather and a lack of food arrives in late summer and fall, hummingbirds embark on a long journey south.
Some key points about hummingbird migration:
- Most hummingbirds migrate, though a few species are year-round residents in warmer climates like Florida and coastal California.
- Ruby-throated hummingbirds breed across eastern North America in summer and migrate to Central America and Mexico for winter.
- Rufous hummingbirds breed in northwest North America and migrate through western states to winter primarily in Mexico.
- Hummingbirds migrate alone, not in flocks, and often travel along established flyways.
- Migration is triggered by hormonal changes responding to seasonal cues like changing daylight length.
- Hummingbirds must feed regularly during migration, stopping at flowers and feeders for energy.
So while a few hummingbird species can be found year-round within their breeding range, most undertake an arduous migration seasonally. But do they travel all the way to South America?
Do Hummingbirds Migrate to South America?
The short answer is: most North American breeding hummingbirds do not complete their migration by traveling all the way to South America.
Here are some key facts:
- Ruby-throated hummingbirds that breed in eastern North America primarily migrate to southern Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean for winter.
- Rufous hummingbirds that breed in the northwest U.S. and Canada mainly winter in Mexico and the Gulf Coast.
- Costa’s hummingbirds and some rufous hummingbirds migrate to winter primarily in Mexico with small numbers reaching southern Arizona and Texas.
- Broad-tailed hummingbirds that breed in the western U.S. migrate to Mexico for winter.
- A few vagrant individuals may be spotted in South America but this is not the typical migration destination.
So while some South American countries like Colombia and Venezuela host wintering hummingbird populations, the majority of North American breeding hummingbirds only go as far as Central America and Mexico. There are exceptions, however…
Exceptions: Hummingbirds that Do Migrate to South America
Most North American hummingbirds do not complete migration by reaching South America, but there are a couple exceptions:
- The ruby-throated hummingbird’s range extends far enough east across Canada that some eastern breeding populations migrate across the Caribbean to South America for the winter.
- The rufous hummingbird has a breeding range stretching all the way from Alaska to California. Some of those that breed in Alaska may migrate entirely through North America and Central America to spend winter in northern South America.
So while the vast majority of North American breeding hummingbirds will migrate to destinations in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean for winter, a small fraction will make the long haul all the way to South American wintering grounds. Those that do are birds along the northern and eastern edges of the typical range.
Why Don’t More Hummingbirds Migrate to South America?
Good question! If we look at a map, it may seem obvious that hummingbirds breeding in North America should simply continue their migration south until they reach the northern regions of South America. But there are a few key factors that explain why the majority halt their migration in Central America and Mexico:
- Energy expenditure – Migration takes an incredible amount of energy. The further a tiny hummingbird has to travel, the more its limited energy reserves are taxed. Stopping in Central America requires less energy than flying all the way to South America for most populations.
- Sufficient habitat – Central America and southern Mexico provide expansive tropical and subtropical habitat with enough flowers, insects, and safe resting spots to support wintering hummingbird populations.
- Geographic barriers – Crossing major obstacles like the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean is extremely difficult for tiny birds. Areas like the Yucatan Peninsula provide stopover habitat.
- Established migration routes – Young hummingbirds likely follow the same migratory pathways used by previous generations, ingraining routes ending in Central America.
So a combination of energy limitations, sufficient habitat, geographic barriers, and engrained migration patterns has led to Central America becoming the primary winter destination for most North American breeding hummingbirds.
Notable Wintering Areas
Here are some of the key areas hummingbirds migrate to for winter:
- Southern Mexico – The mountains and forests of Mexico host huge numbers of overwintering hummingbirds, especially rufous hummingbirds.
- Central America – Countries like Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Panama provide tropical habitat for wintering hummingbirds.
- Caribbean Islands – Islands such as Cuba and Jamaica host significant wintering hummingbird populations.
- Southern Arizona – A few species like Anna’s hummingbird and Costa’s hummingbird overwinter in small numbers in southern Arizona.
- South America – Countries like Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Peru are reached by small numbers of vagrant migrants and some breeding populations from the far north and east range edges.
These tropical and subtropical regions provide the food, shelter, and moderate temperatures hummingbirds need to survive the winter after their long migrations. The variety of hummingbirds present expands greatly in these southern wintering grounds.
Challenges Hummingbirds Face During Migration
The strenuous journey hummingbirds undertake during migration involves many risks and challenges:
- Limited energy reserves – Hummingbirds need to store up fat to fuel migration and must refuel frequently along the way by visiting flowers and feeders.
- Inclement weather – Storms, high winds, and precipitation can be extremely dangerous for these tiny birds.
- Geographic barriers – Large bodies of water and mountain ranges present major obstacles that require rest stops.
- Predators – Hummingbirds are vulnerable to predators during migration, including birds of prey.
- Lack of food – Finding adequate nutrition at stopover sites is critical to avoiding starvation.
- Orientation – Young birds migrating for the first time must correctly identify migration routes and destinations.
These hazards mean many hummingbirds perish before reaching their wintering grounds. However, those that succeed settle into winter habitats until the spring migration north begins anew.
Unique Adaptations for Migration
Hummingbirds have many unique adaptations that aid their migratory journey:
- Extremely high metabolism – Their rapid metabolism provides energy for the sustained exertion of migration.
- Ability to torpor – Hummingbirds can enter a hibernation-like state to conserve energy overnight.
- Navigational abilities – They use visual cues, the sun, stars, and Earth’s magnetic field to orient themselves.
- Fat storage – They can store fat equal to half their body weight to fuel migration.
- Preference for red – Their attraction to the color red helps lead them to tubular red flowers along migration routes.
These special adaptations allow hummingbirds to embark on migratory journeys truly impressive for their tiny size.
Important Conservation Needs
Because hummingbird migration is such an immense challenge, they rely on some key resources along their migration routes:
- Resting spots – Hummingbirds need protected places to rest and refuel, like sheltering trees and brush.
- Food sources – Abundant native wildflowers and flowering trees provide essential nutrition.
- Backyard feeders – Feeders help sustain hummingbirds in areas without adequate natural food sources.
- Free-flowing rivers – Riparian areas are vital migration corridors in arid regions like the Southwest.
Protecting these essential resources through private land stewardship and public policy is crucial to successful hummingbird migration across North America.
Fascinating Facts About Hummingbird Migration
- Ruby-throated hummingbirds may burn up to 3-4 times their body weight in fat each day during migration.
- Hummingbirds migrate across the Gulf of Mexico nonstop – a 500 mile journey for many.
- A rufous hummingbird banded in Alaska was later recovered in Mexico – a journey of over 3,000 miles.
- Hummingbird species diversity increases in Mexico and Central America during winter due to migrations from the north.
- Young hummingbirds find their way to ancestral wintering grounds without guidance from parents.
- Some hummingbirds communicate with distinctive contact calls to locate habitat during migration.
The arduous migration of hummingbirds to and from their breeding grounds is one of nature’s most astonishing phenomena considering their tiny size.
Conclusion
While a few special populations do reach South America, most hummingbirds breeding in North America migrate to destinations in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean for the winter months. A variety of factors influence why the majority make this shorter journey rather than flying all the way to South American wintering grounds. Providing critical stopover habitat and energy sources along their migration flyways is key to ensuring these tiny migratory wonders complete their incredible seasonal journeys. Though small, hummingbirds undertake one of nature’s most epic migrations each year across our continent.
