When do hummingbirds start coming around in spring?
Hummingbirds typically start migrating north and showing up again in late winter and early spring. The exact timing depends on the species and location, but here are some general guidelines:
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
Ruby-throated hummingbirds are the most widespread and common hummingbird in eastern North America. They start arriving in the southern U.S. Gulf states in February and March. By mid-March to early April, some ruby-throats start showing up along the Gulf Coast, central Florida, and further north into the Carolinas, Georgia, Arkansas, and Tennessee.
In April, ruby-throated hummingbirds continue migrating northward along the East Coast up into the Middle Atlantic states, New England, the Great Lakes, and into Canada. They usually reach the northern parts of their range by May.
Rufous Hummingbirds
Rufous hummingbirds nest in the Pacific Northwest and Canada during the summer and migrate down to Mexico and the Gulf Coast for winter. Their northward migration starts earlier than ruby-throats.
Some of the earliest returning rufous hummers start arriving along the Gulf Coast in January and February. Their numbers increase in March and early April as they pass through Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. By late March, some pioneering rufous hummingbirds reach as far north as Oregon, Washington and southern British Columbia on the West Coast.
Most rufous hummers arrive in the Pacific Northwest in April and May for the breeding season. A few stragglers may still be migrating through the Gulf states in late April and early May.
Anna’s Hummingbirds
Anna’s hummingbirds are year-round residents along the Pacific Coast and do not migrate. However, their range expands northward in spring and summer.
Some Anna’s hummingbirds are permanent residents in coastal California, western Arizona and the Gulf Coast. But others spend winters in Mexico and Southern California and breed farther north in summer, reaching British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and inland California.
The earliest northbound Anna’s hummers arrive in Washington and Oregon’s Willamette Valley in late January and February. Numbers build through March and April. They reach peak abundance in May and June.
Allen’s Hummingbirds
Allen’s hummingbirds breed along the Pacific Coast and inland through California. They migrate south in fall to winter primarily in Mexico.
Allen’s hummers start arriving in their breeding range again in February, showing up first in coastal and southern California. They continue migrating north through March and April, reaching northern California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia by May.
What do hummingbirds eat?
Hummingbirds have very high metabolisms and must eat frequently to fuel their high energy lifestyle. Their diet consists primarily of:
– Nectar – Hummingbirds drink nectar from flowers using their long, specialized tongues. This provides them with carbohydrates for energy.
– Insects – Hummingbirds get essential protein, lipids, vitamins and minerals by preying on small insects like fruit flies, spiders, aphids and gnats.
– Sugar water – Many people supplement hummingbird diets with homemade nectar solutions of white sugar dissolved in water. Feeders must be cleaned frequently to prevent mold.
– Tree sap – Hummingbirds will drink tree sap for an additional source of carbohydrates and nutrients.
Hummingbirds need to consume approximately half their weight in nectar daily and visit hundreds or even thousands of flowers per day to meet their nutritional needs. Providing nectar feeders or flowering plants can help attract and sustain hummingbirds.
How to attract hummingbirds
Here are some tips to attract hummingbirds to your yard:
Provide nectar feeders
Fill feeders with a 4:1 ratio solution of white sugar dissolved in water. Boil the water first and let cool before mixing. Don’t use honey, which can promote dangerous fungal growth. Place feeders in shady spots and change nectar every 2-3 days. Thoroughly clean feeders every 1-2 weeks.
Have red flowers and feeders
Hummingbirds are attracted to the color red. Having red flowers like bee balm, cardinal flower and trumpet vine will help draw them in. Red feeders are also preferable to other colors.
Plant native flowers
Good nectar flowers include native columbines, honeysuckles, coral honeysuckle, trumpet creeper, cardinal flowers and fire pinks. Also plant salvias, petunias, verbenas, fuchsias and flowering trees.
Provide small perches
Hummingbirds like to rest between feedings. Place small tree branches or shepherd hooks near your feeders for them to perch on while taking a break.
Have a water feature
Dripping water fixtures, fountains or bird baths provide drinking and bathing water for hummingbirds. Move water features out of direct sunlight to prevent algae growth.
Avoid pesticides
Pesticides can poison hummingbirds and kill the insects they prey on. Use organic gardening methods to make your yard safe and inhabitable.
Put up early
Put up feeders 2-3 weeks before hummingbirds arrive so they can find the food source right away. If you live in an area with year-round hummers, keep feeders up continuously.
Tips for photographing hummingbirds
Capturing good photos of hummingbirds takes skill and patience. Here are some tips:
– Use a fast shutter speed (at least 1/1000 seconds) to freeze the rapid wing movements.
– Move slowly and talk softly to avoid startling hummingbirds away.
– Prefocus on a perch or feeder and wait for the bird to come to you.
– Try not to cast a shadow over the bird. Side or back lighting often works well.
– Use a telephoto lens for close-ups. You can get surprisingly close with some acclimation.
– Set up near colorful flowers or feeders that attract the birds.
– Be prepared to take lots of shots to get a few good ones.
– Fill the frame by moving or cropping tightly around the bird. Blurred backgrounds nicely highlight the subject.
– Use a flash only as a last resort. It will likely scare the bird away.
– Adjust ISO and aperture to maximize shutter speed and image quality.
– Shoot in burst mode to capture wing movement.
– Review your images on a large screen and check for sharpness on the bird.
With practice and persistence, you can get beautiful, detailed hummingbird images. The more time you spend with them, the better your chances of capturing that perfect shot.
Hummingbird facts
Here are some interesting facts about hummingbirds:
Size
– The smallest hummingbird is the Bee Hummingbird of Cuba at only 2 inches long and 2 grams in weight.
– The largest is the Giant Hummingbird of South America which reaches up to 8.6 inches long.
Heart Rate and Breathing
– Hummingbirds have an incredibly fast metabolism, with heart rates from 200-1250 beats per minute while resting.
– Their breathing rate can reach 250 breaths per minute.
Wings
– Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backwards.
– They flap their wings up to 80 times per second, even faster during courtship.
– Their wings rotate in a full circle which allows exceptional maneuverability.
| Hummingbird Species | Wingspan |
|---|---|
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | 3.1 – 4.3 in |
| Rufous Hummingbird | 3.1 – 3.5 in |
| Anna’s Hummingbird | 4.7 – 4.9 in |
| Allen’s Hummingbird | 3.1 – 3.5 in |
Feeding
– A hummingbird’s tongue can lap nectar up to 13 times per second.
– They consume around half their weight in nectar each day, spread across multiple small meals.
– A ruby-throated hummingbird’s heart beats up to 1,260 times per minute while eating.
Flight Speed
– Diving hummingbirds can reach speeds of over 60 miles per hour.
– Horizontal flight speed averages 25-30 mph.
Annual Migration
– Most hummingbirds migrate 500-5000 miles each way during spring and fall.
– Ruby-throated hummingbirds fly nonstop across the Gulf of Mexico, a 500 mile journey.
– Rufous hummingbirds fly 3000 miles north to Alaska and back each year.
Fun facts about hummingbird mating and reproduction
Hummingbirds have some fascinating and unique behaviors when it comes to breeding:
– Males perform elaborate courtship displays, flying in loops and dives to impress females.
– Their mating lasts only seconds but they may mate multiple times a day.
– Females build a tiny nest out of plant down, spider webs and lichen only 1-2 inches across.
– Hummingbird eggs are smaller than jellybeans, just 0.5 inches long.
– Incubation lasts 14-23 days depending on species. The mother hummingbird is continuously on the nest.
– Chicks hatch naked, blind and helpless but develop quickly.
– Babies grow feathers within a week and can fly in 3 weeks, then leave the nest.
– A mother hummingbird will feed her chicks up to 1,000 times a day as they require huge amounts of food to fuel growth.
– Many hummingbird species are polygamous with males mating with multiple females each season.
– Females alone perform all parental care – incubating eggs, feeding young, defending the nest.
– Most hummingbird species only live 3-5 years but the longevity record is held by a female Broad-tailed Hummingbird that lived to age 12.
The mating rituals, parenting duties and brief life cycles of hummingbirds provide a fascinating look into their reproducive lives. Watching their courtship displays and nesting behaviors is a special treat for avid birdwatchers and nature lovers.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds are captivating creatures that bring joy and wonder with their arrival each spring. Their speedy movements, hover feeding, magical colors and daring aerials never cease to amaze. With some landscaping for nectar sources and feeders, plus patient photography skills, you can attract these energetic pollinators and get an up-close look at their beauty and behaviors. Whether a flashy Ruby-throated dazzling at your feeder or a tiny Calliope clacking across meadows, hummingbirds signify the renewal of life each season. Watch for their return by early March or April, and be prepared to be delighted.
