Hummingbirds are a familiar sight in Virginia gardens during the spring and summer months, but what happens to them when winter arrives? Do these tiny birds stick around in Virginia or migrate somewhere warmer for the colder months?
The quick answer is that most hummingbirds do in fact leave Virginia and migrate south where they can find food and warmer temperatures during winter. However, a small number of hummingbirds, primarily Anna’s and Rufous Hummingbirds, have been known to occasionally overwinter in Virginia when conditions allow.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at hummingbird migration and overwintering behavior to understand why most hummingbirds leave in winter, where they go, and what needs to happen for them to be able to stay. We’ll also provide tips on how you can support overwintering hummingbirds if any arrive in your neck of the woods.
Hummingbird Migration
Hummingbirds are migratory birds, meaning they travel between breeding grounds in the north and wintering grounds in the south each year. This migration allows them to take advantage of seasonal food sources and ideal temperatures.
Here are some key facts about hummingbird migration:
– Most hummingbirds that breed in Virginia migrate south in the fall, typically leaving between August and October. This includes Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and Rufous Hummingbirds.
– Their wintering grounds are primarily in Mexico and Central America, but some species reach as far south as Panama.
– Migration allows them to follow flower blooming and insect hatches, their key food sources. This ensures they have access to enough high-energy nectar and protein.
– Hummingbirds migrate relatively quickly, flying an average of 22-25 miles per hour. They can fly nonstop over the Gulf of Mexico, a 500+ mile journey.
– Ruby-throated Hummingbirds may migrate in loops up the Atlantic coast in the fall and along the Gulf coast in spring, following food sources.
– Young hummingbirds migrate south without parental guidance. Migration routes and winter sites are likely genetically programmed.
So in summary, hummingbirds are built to migrate long distances very quickly in order to survive. This allows them to avoid harsh winters and seek out the resources they need. But some individuals occasionally break the rules and attempt to overwinter far north of their usual range.
Do Any Hummingbirds Stay in Virginia in Winter?
The vast majority of hummingbirds migrate out of Virginia before winter sets in. However, a few species have been known to occasionally overwinter in the state if conditions allow. The most common overwintering species are:
– Anna’s Hummingbird – This west coast species has been increasingly overwintering in the east and there are several dozen records of it overwintering in Virginia’s coastal plain region since the 1960s. They are able to tolerate cold temperatures well.
– Rufous Hummingbird – Most migrate out of Virginia by fall, but there are a small number of reports of this species overwintering, primarily on the coastal plain.
– Ruby-throated Hummingbird – Virginia’s most common breeding hummingbird. While most migrate south, there have been a handful of reports of individuals overwintering in coastal Virginia and even as far north as Maryland.
– Calliope Hummingbird – A rare winter vagrant in Virginia that may on very rare occasions attempt to overwinter.
– Black-chinned Hummingbird – Another western species that is a very rare winter vagrant in Virginia. May occasionally overwinter.
The chances of seeing an overwintering hummingbird will be very slim for most people. But they do seem to occur most often along coastal Virginia where temperatures are a bit milder. The primary challenge for overwintering is finding enough food.
Why Don’t More Hummingbirds Overwinter?
So why don’t more of Virginia’s summer hummingbirds try to stick it out through the winter rather than migrating south? There are a few key reasons:
Lack of Food
Hummingbirds need massive amounts of calories to survive cooler months when their high metabolism has to work in overdrive to generate energy and heat.
The average hummingbird needs to consume nectar equal to 2-3 times its body weight per day. That takes a lot of flowers! By late fall, most flowers have finished blooming and insect populations decline. There simply wouldn’t be enough food day after day for most hummingbirds.
A few hardy fall blooming plants like autumn sage and pineapple sage can help provide some food. But most overwintering hummingbirds still rely heavily on specialized feeders.
Freezing Cold Temperatures
Even though they are well adapted to cooler weather, hummingbirds can still freeze or starve on very cold winter nights. They rely on finding shelter in cavities, thick cover, or even in garages and porches. But prolonged cold below 20°F could be dangerous.
Their small size makes it a challenge to retain body heat. Periodic winter warm ups help provide critical reprieve from the cold.
Lack of Nesting Sites
Hummingbirds also require bushes, vines, and trees to build their tiny nests in spring for raising young. By overwintering further south, they ensure access to ideal nesting habitat and food when breeding season returns. Remaining in Virginia would mean fewer options for successful nesting and reproduction.
Instinct to Migrate
The urge to migrate appears deeply ingrained in most hummingbirds. Even if some individuals could find enough resources to survive Virginia winters, they may still feel compelled to migrate south anyway. Their internal wiring and generational experience tells them to move on. This instinct has served the species well over thousands of years.
So in summary, lack of food, extreme cold, fewer nesting options, and an innate migratory drive all combine to make Virginia an unsuitable overwintering destination for most hummingbirds. The few that try to overwinter are the exception.
Next we’ll look at what it takes for a hummingbird to successfully overwinter in Virginia.
What Makes Overwintering Possible?
Given the challenges, what conditions allow some lucky hummingbirds to potentially survive a Virginia winter? Here are the keys that improve their overwintering success:
Milder Temperatures
Coastal areas and urban heat islands see fewer days with extreme sub-freezing temperatures. This lowers the risk of freeze-related starvation. Winter warm spells also provide essential respite from the cold.
Shelter
Access to garages, porches, crawl spaces, and other enclosed structures improves night time cold tolerance and survival. Nearby conifer trees and dense shrubs also reduce exposure.
Abundant Natural Food Supplies
Some overwintering birds rely extensively on fall and winter-blooming flowers and trees. Food sources like coral honeysuckle, winter jasmine, and silk tassel bush provide nectar when little else is blooming.
Supplemental Feeding
Concentrated nectar feeders with high sugar content help provide substantial extra calories. Some overwintering hummingbirds get nearly all their energy needs from feeders.
Internal Fat Stores
Hummingbirds that linger later into fall to build up fat reserves have an improved chance at surviving cold periods. They may double their weight before winter which provides insurance.
Lucky Genetics
Part of overwintering success may come down to genetic traits that increase cold hardiness. Perhaps some western hummingbirds that overwinter carry adaptable genes.
So in general, overwintering requires sufficient food supplies, shelter from extreme cold, higher fat levels going into winter, and a genetic capacity to tolerate cold. Coastal Virginia offers the best chance, but it’s still an exceptional challenge.
Supporting Overwintering Hummingbirds
If you spot a hummingbird in your yard later than normal this fall or during winter, here are some tips for supporting its survival:
Provide Feeders
Put up feeders with high sugar concentration nectar (1 part sugar to 4 parts water). Refill them regularly and keep feeders from freezing. Offer heat-lamp illuminated feeders on extra cold nights.
Offer Shelter
Allow access to porches, garages, or crawl spaces at night and during bad weather. Provide cover nearby with dense trees and shrubs. You could also install a specialty hummingbird shelter.
Provide Natural Food Sources
Plant or protect winter blooming flowers, shrubs, and trees like coral honeysuckle, Japanese plum yew, and silk tassel bush. Also leave up nectar-rich fall bloomers.
Report Your Sighting
Contact your local Audubon chapter or wildlife agency to report overwintering hummingbirds. This helps scientists track winter survivorship. Submit photos if possible.
Spread the Word
Tell neighbors and request they put out feeders too. Overwintering hummingbirds often need to move around to find consistent food, expanding their network of feeders and shelter.
With preparation and some luck, you may get to witness the rare spectacle of hummingbirds toughing out a Virginia winter against the odds. But the vast majority head south like clockwork as fall approaches. Migration is a true wonder of nature and helps ensure hummingbirds continue to grace our summers for generations to come.
Conclusion
In summary:
– Most hummingbirds migrate out of Virginia in fall, traveling to Mexico and Central America for the winter. This allows them to find adequate food and avoid harsh cold weather.
– A small number of Anna’s, Rufous, Ruby-throated, and other hummingbirds have been known to overwinter along Virginia’s coastal plain when conditions allow. But it is rare.
– Overwintering is challenging due to lack of food, extreme cold, reduced nesting sites, and innate migratory instincts. But mild temperatures, shelters, natural food, feeders, and fat reserves help.
– If you spot an overwintering hummingbird, you can help support its survival by providing shelter, feeders, and reporting sightings. But migration is still the best winter strategy for most hummingbirds.
So while seeing a hummingbird in winter may be possible in Virginia, these energetic migrants primarily stay further south until warmer weather returns again in spring. Their seasonal movement is an amazing feat of nature.
