Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating birds found in nature. Their tiny size, lightning fast wing beats, and ability to hover in midair make them a joy to watch. Of the over 300 different hummingbird species found worldwide, several types regularly occur in Texas. This raises the question – do any hummingbirds stay in Texas year round or do they migrate elsewhere for the winter?
Overview of hummingbird species in Texas
Texas is home to 11 regular species of hummingbirds. The most widespread is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, which breeds across eastern Texas and throughout the eastern United States. Others like the Buff-bellied Hummingbird and Black-chinned Hummingbird nest in west Texas and parts of central Texas. Here is a quick overview of common hummingbirds seen in the Lone Star State:
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most common and widespread hummingbird in eastern Texas. Males have a brilliant red throat and are found as summer residents from March through October.
Black-chinned Hummingbird
The Black-chinned Hummingbird nests in west Texas, particularly in canyons and near rivers. The male’s throat has a thin dark band below the chin. This species is present from March to September.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
A summer resident of west Texas mountains, the Broad-tailed Hummingbird male has a bright pink throat with a broad band of iridescent rose. They are found from April to September.
Buff-bellied Hummingbird
One of the more common species in south Texas, the Buff-bellied Hummingbird is present from fall through spring in the Rio Grande Valley region. The male has a brightly colored yellow-green throat and underparts.
Rufous Hummingbird
An early spring and late fall migrant, the Rufous Hummingbird passes through west and central Texas. The male is brightly orange on the back and belly.
Allen’s Hummingbird
A rare winter visitor along the Gulf Coast, the Allen’s Hummingbird male has a bright orange-red throat and rusty-colored tail.
Calliope Hummingbird
The tiny Calliope Hummingbird is an uncommon migrant in spring and fall in west Texas. Males have colorful reddish-pink throats.
Broad-billed Hummingbird
The Broad-billed Hummingbird is an occasional winter visitor to southern Texas from Mexico, identified by its wide bill and bright green throat on the male.
| Species | Range in Texas | Male Identification | Migration Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Eastern | Red throat | Summer resident |
| Black-chinned Hummingbird | Western | Dark chin band | Summer resident |
| Broad-tailed Hummingbird | Western mountains | Pink throat with rose band | Summer resident |
| Buff-bellied Hummingbird | Southern | Yellow-green throat | Winter resident |
| Rufous Hummingbird | Western and central | Orange back | Migrant |
| Allen’s Hummingbird | Gulf Coast | Orange-red throat | Winter visitor |
| Calliope Hummingbird | Western | Reddish-pink throat | Migrant |
| Broad-billed Hummingbird | Southern | Wide bill, green throat | Winter visitor |
Do any hummingbirds stay year round in Texas?
The simple answer is no. Texas does not have any species of hummingbird that is a permanent resident throughout the entire year. Even species like the Buff-bellied Hummingbird that spend the winter in south Texas still migrate south into Mexico for breeding. However, some individual hummingbirds may linger longer in autumn or arrive sooner in spring so Texas sees a near continuous presence of hummingbirds. Let’s look in more detail at the migration timing of common hummingbird species:
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Nearly all Ruby-throated Hummingbirds migrate out of Texas by late October or November. A few stragglers may overwinter along the coast or in sheltered areas farther north, but most head south to Mexico and Central America for the winter. They start returning very early, usually by late February and early March.
Black-chinned Hummingbird
This species leaves west Texas by September or October. Their winter range includes Mexico and the U.S. Southwest. Springs returnees typically show up in late March and April.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
By October, most Broad-tailed Hummingbirds have departed their mountain summer homes in west Texas for Mexico. Rare winter records exist for this species but it is essentially absent during the cold months. Return migration happens in April and May.
Buff-bellied Hummingbird
The Buff-bellied is one species that has a strong winter presence in Texas from around October to March each year. Most birds migrate across the Gulf of Mexico in fall and spring between Mexico and the Rio Grande Valley.
Rufous Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbirds pass through Texas in April and May during spring migration to northwest breeding grounds. The return trip happens August through November. This species spends the winter primarily in Mexico.
Allen’s Hummingbird
Very uncommon in winter away from the Pacific Coast, any Allen’s Hummingbirds in Texas depart by late March. Fall records occur rarely from September to December when a few stray farther east.
Calliope Hummingbird
There are essentially no winter records of Calliope Hummingbirds in Texas as the entire population vacates the state by late October. They migrate through again in spring and fall between Mexican wintering grounds and northwest U.S./Canada breeding areas.
| Species | Fall Migration Period | Winter Range | Spring Migration Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | October/November | Mexico, Central America | Late February to March |
| Black-chinned Hummingbird | September/October | Southwest U.S., Mexico | Late March to April |
| Broad-tailed Hummingbird | By October | Mexico | April/May |
| Buff-bellied Hummingbird | Some remain until March | Coastal Mexico | Fall and spring across Gulf |
| Rufous Hummingbird | August to November | Mexico | April/May |
| Allen’s Hummingbird | By late March | Pacific Coast | Rare in fall |
| Calliope Hummingbird | By October | Mexico | Spring and fall migrant |
Why hummingbirds do not remain in Texas throughout the winter
The fact that no hummingbird species stays in Texas year round comes down to two main factors – lack of food and susceptibility to cold weather.
Not enough food in winter
Hummingbirds have extremely high metabolisms and must consume significant amounts of nectar daily to maintain their energy levels. They also eat small insects and spiders to obtain essential proteins. From autumn through early spring, natural nectar supplies in Texas are limited because fewer flowers are in bloom. Most native plants have entered dormancy and even non-native ornamental flowers become less abundant. Without adequate access to food, hummingbirds cannot survive the lean winter months.
Vulnerability to cold temperatures
Hummingbirds are tiny birds with high surface area relative to their body volume. This makes them prone to rapid heat loss on cold winter days, especially when plumage gets wet from rain or snow. They can actually go into torpor on very cold nights by lowering their metabolic rate and body temperature. But repeatedly using torpor puts stress on their systems. Most hummingbirds survive better by migrating to warmer climates for winter rather than enduring Texas weather. Even during mild winters, periodic cold snaps with ice storms, freezing rain, and other harsh conditions create too high a risk.
How some hummingbirds may linger longer in Texas
Although no species stays year round, individual hummingbirds sometimes exhibit delayed migration or are early arriving migrants. Here are factors allowing them to linger in Texas:
Mild regional microclimates
Certain areas along the Texas Gulf Coast tend to have warmer winter temperatures thanks to proximity to the ocean. The urban heat island effect also creates slightly warmer conditions around cities like Houston. Hummingbirds can take advantage of these microclimates that provide a respite from harsher inland weather.
Sheltered roost sites
Hummingbirds entering nightly torpor are vulnerable to exposure. But some find sheltered roosts in dense trees, brush piles, or crevices that protect them from wind, rain, and cold. Access to good roost sites improves survival odds.
Supplemental feeding
More people are putting up hummingbird feeders and planting winter-blooming ornamentals. These supplemental nectar sources allow some hummingbirds to linger longer through late autumn or show up earlier in late winter.
Mild winters
Occasional winter warming trends bring warmer temperatures, boosting food supplies and allowing easier survival for hummingbirds. During the mildest winters, buff-bellieds and even rarer species may attempt to overwinter in southern Texas. But a severe cold snap usually ends this.
Vagrant individuals
Rarely, a few vagrant individuals of migratory species get off course and wander beyond their normal range. For instance, a few rufous hummingbirds sometimes attempt to overwinter along the Gulf Coast after becoming disoriented. These represent outliers though.
Ways to attract overwintering hummingbirds in Texas
Here are some tips for enticing hummingbirds to stick around later or arrive earlier in the year:
Keep feeders up through winter
Supply a constant nectar source by cleaning and maintaining hummingbird feeders even after most birds have departed in autumn. Use a nectar mix of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water and change nectar every few days to prevent spoilage.
Have multiple feeders
Give territorial birds like buff-bellieds their own feeder space by separating feeders at least 5-10 feet apart. Have more feeders than hummingbirds to minimize competition.
Use feeder heaters
Protect nectar from freezing on cold nights by using special feeder warmers. Outdoor extension cords and timer switches help provide a reliable power source.
Plant winter-blooming flowers
Good winter plant choices include coral honeysuckle, pineapple sage, flowering maple, citrus trees, and winter jasmine. Also provide nectar from fall bloomers like firebush, Turk’s cap, and autumn sage.
Offer fruit
Wedge halves of oranges, grapes, or bananas onto spikes to provide an alternate energy source. Check fruit daily and replace as needed.
Provide insect food
Consider using feeders with tray attachments to hold live black soldier fly larvae, mealworms, or dried flies. These give hummingbirds a protein boost.
Install sheltered roosts
You can buy readymade roosting pockets or make your own using fabric or insulation sheets formed into tubes or sacs. Hang them in a protected spot. Brush piles or dense shrubs also create shelter.
Conclusion
To summarize, Texas hosts many hummingbird species during spring and summer that provide ample opportunities to enjoy these captivating birds. However, a lack of food and susceptibility to cold means no species remains year round. While a few individuals may linger later or arrive earlier than typical migration periods, most follow an annual pattern of leaving Texas for warmer Mexican wintering areas. Providing supplemental food, water, shelter, and favorable microclimates gives homeowners the best chance of overwintering hummingbirds. But only buffers like coastal areas or urban warmth pockets allow most birds to tough out the state’s variable winter weather. With climate change bringing warmer average temperatures, it will be interesting to see if any hummingbirds begin spending winters in Texas more regularly in the coming decades.
