Male hummingbirds do tend to migrate south earlier than females in the fall. There are a few key reasons for this:
Earlier migration allows males to set up territories
By arriving at their winter grounds early, male hummingbirds can establish and defend their feeding territories. These territories provide access to food sources – a key resource the birds will need to survive the winter. Females arrive later and select a mate from among the already established territorial males. So it benefits the males to migrate sooner.
Males are smaller and have higher metabolisms
Male hummingbirds are noticeably smaller than females. Their smaller size means males have higher metabolisms and burn energy faster than females. As flower nectar and insect resources begin to decline in late summer, it becomes harder for the males to meet their energy needs. This gives them a reason to migrate earlier when resources become scarce. The females are a bit more resilient and can stay behind longer before making the journey south.
Females are busy nesting
Female hummingbirds are busy with nesting and raising chicks in late summer, which delays their migration compared to the males. Most hummingbird species nest in the spring and summer, with the females solely responsible for incubating eggs and caring for the chicks once they hatch. The female’s focus on reproduction is likely one factor that leads to the later migration of females compared to males. The males depart first, leaving the females behind to finish up the breeding season.
Do all male hummingbirds migrate before females?
The pattern of earlier male migration holds for most, but not all, hummingbird species. Here are some exceptions:
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is one of the most widespread and common hummingbird species in North America. The males do typically migrate south up to two weeks earlier than the females. However, there is some overlap, with later-migrating males departing at around the same time as early-migrating females. So the migration order is not completely divided by sex.
Rufous Hummingbird
In Rufous Hummingbirds, the females often migrate before the males. This is likely because the females nest further north than the males, so they have a longer migration route. To ensure they reach their wintering grounds in time, the female Rufous Hummingbirds get a head start on their southern journey.
Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbirds are year-round residents across much of their range in the southwestern U.S. and along the Pacific Coast. They do not migrate long distances. However, males tend to wander more widely after breeding, while females are more likely to stay put year-round. So the direction of movement is sex-dependent in Anna’s Hummingbirds, but does not constitute a typical migration pattern.
Why do hummingbirds migrate?
Hummingbirds migrate for a few key reasons:
Lack of food
By late summer and fall, the flowers and insects that hummingbirds rely on for food start to decline in many regions. The lack of adequate nutrition spurs the birds to travel to warmer southern areas where nectar and insects remain plentiful through the winter.
Changing weather
Hummingbirds struggle in cold temperatures due to their small body size and high metabolic rates. As northern regions experience frosts and dropping temperatures in autumn, hummingbirds migrate south to escape the harsher weather.
Lack of habitat
Breeding habitat for hummingbirds often consists of open meadows, mountainsides, and other environments rich in wildflowers. As these habitats decline or are covered by snow in winter, hummingbirds seek out more hospitable habitat in the south.
Following food sources
Some migratory hummingbirds travel amazing distances to follow the bloom of preferred nectar flowers. For example, Rufous Hummingbirds nest in the Pacific Northwest then migrate to Mexico and California in winter, timing their movement to track the blooming of wildflowers.
How far do hummingbirds migrate?
Different hummingbird species migrate varying distances:
Species | Migration Distance |
---|---|
Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Over 2,000 miles between Canada and Central America |
Rufous Hummingbird | Up to 3,900 miles between Alaska and Mexico |
Allen’s Hummingbird | Around 500 miles along the Pacific Coast |
Calliope Hummingbird | 2,000 miles between the Rocky Mountains and Mexico |
As these examples show, northern species like the Ruby-throated and Rufous migrate the farthest distances. Southern species like the Allen’s Hummingbird may only migrate short distances. Migration distance depends on how far the birds must travel between their breeding and wintering grounds.
What routes do hummingbirds take during migration?
Hummingbirds use several major flyways to travel between their breeding and wintering grounds:
Atlantic Flyway
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds follow the Atlantic Flyway along the Atlantic Coast during migration. Their route includes coastal areas and gardens providing stopover feeding opportunities.
Mississippi Flyway
Some Ruby-throated and Rufous Hummingbirds use the Mississippi Flyway through the central United States. This takes them over plains, farms, woodlands, and major rivers like the Mississippi which provide habitat for migrating hummingbirds.
Central Flyway
The Central Flyway over the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains is used by Calliope, Broad-tailed, and Rufous Hummingbirds during migration. They feed on prairie flowers and mountain meadows along this corridor.
Pacific Flyway
Allen’s, Rufous, Anna’s, and Costa’s Hummingbirds follow the Pacific Flyway when migrating along the West Coast between Mexico and Alaska. Abundant flowers in coastal and desert habitats provide fuel along their journey.
How long does hummingbird migration take?
The duration of hummingbird migration depends on the species and distance travelled. Here are some examples of hummingbird migration times:
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Most Ruby-throats migrate between August and October in the fall, and between March and May in the spring. Their long journey of up to 2,000 miles between Canada and Central America may take 2-3 months in each direction.
Rufous Hummingbird
The Rufous Hummingbird’s migration is one of the longest in the bird world in relation to its tiny body size. Their trip between Alaska and Mexico covers around 3,900 miles. It may take 2-3 months to complete this epic journey in each direction.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds breeding in the western mountains spend the winter in Mexico. Their approximately 1,500 mile trip may be completed in a few weeks in fall and spring. Their shorter distance allows for a quicker migration.
Costa’s Hummingbird
Costa’s Hummingbirds breeding in southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico migrate relatively short distances into Mexico for winter. Their trips of 500 miles or less may take only a week or two in each direction.
What are the dangers hummingbirds face during migration?
Hummingbirds must overcome many challenges during their migratory journeys including:
Lack of food
Finding adequate nutrition from nectar and small insects is one of the biggest challenges hummingbirds face during migration. They need to discover and fuel up on food sources all along their migration routes, especially at critical stopover points.
Bad weather
Storms, high winds, fog, rain, and other weather conditions can ground hummingbirds and force them to seek shelter. Extreme weather may lead to exhaustion or death if the birds cannot find cover in time.
Predators
Hummingbirds fall prey to a number of predators during migration, including hawks, falcons, and shrikes. Cats and other introduced predators are also a major danger, especially when the hummingbirds stop to rest in residential yards.
Habitat loss
Hummingbirds require suitable rest stop habitats full of flowers for nectar and trees for perching along their migration route. Loss of gardens, meadows, forests, and other habitats make migration more difficult for hummingbirds.
Do hummingbirds fly non-stop during migration?
Hummingbirds cannot fly non-stop for their entire migration. They rely on stopping to rest and refuel many times along the way. However, here are some impressive non-stop flight feats by hummingbirds:
Gulf of Mexico crossing
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds regularly make non-stop flights of 500 miles or more across the Gulf of Mexico. This 18-24 hour flight is an energy-intensive feat for the tiny birds.
Desert crossings
Hummingbirds migrating through the Southwest fly non-stop over deserts and mountains like the Chihuahuan Desert and Sierra Madre Occidental. These long flights over inhospitable terrain may last 12 hours or more.
Short overwater flights
Hummingbirds have been recorded making non-stop flights of up to 6 hours over shorter spans of water along coastlines or across rivers and lakes. This allows them to bypass barriers during migration.
How do hummingbirds know when and where to migrate?
Hummingbirds rely on some amazing abilities to navigate their migrations successfully:
Innate abilities
Hummingbirds have innate genetic programs directing them when to migrate and what direction to travel based on the time of year. They inherit migration timing and routes from their parents.
Environmental cues
Changes in day length, temperatures, food availability, and other environmental factors trigger hummingbirds to start migratory behavior in the fall and spring.
Sun compass
Hummingbirds use the sun’s position as a compass to determine and maintain their direction during migration. This allows them to migrate accurately between seasonal ranges year after year.
Landmarks
Hummingbirds use major landscape features like coastlines, rivers, mountains, valleys and man-made structures to help guide themselves during migration. Familiar landmarks keep them on track.
Smell and memory
Scientists think hummingbirds may use their sense of smell and memory to identify and follow clues that lead them to productive feeding areas during migration.
How do hummingbirds know where to stop during migration?
Hummingbirds use a variety of clues when deciding where and when to stop during migration:
Vegetation
Green leaves, flowering plants, and nectar-producing blossoms signal excellent stopover habitat to refuel. Hummingbirds are naturally attracted to colorful, nectar-rich vegetation.
Other hummingbirds
Seeing other hummers feeding is a cue that an area offers suitable habitat for taking a migratory rest stop. The presence of other hummingbirds acts as a magnet to migrating individuals.
Geography
Coastlines, rivers, valleys and other geographic features that concentrate food sources guide hummingbirds to beneficial stopover sites along their known migration routes.
Sugar feeders
In more urban areas, hummingbirds key in on sugar water feeders that residents put up specifically to provide fuel for migrating hummers. These feeders are like beacons guiding the birds to rest stops.
Genetics and experience
Young hummingbirds follow the lead of older birds that show them established stopover points. They build on experiences from previous migrations to recognize locations where they’ve successfully rested and refueled in the past.
How can I make my yard attractive to migrating hummingbirds?
You can turn your yard into a hummingbird hotspot during migration with these key steps:
Put up feeders
Fill several nectar feeders with a 4:1 sugar-water solution and place them around your yard spaced well apart. More feeders reduce competition and allow more hummers to refuel at once.
Include bright flowers
Plant clusters of tubular red, orange, pink or purple flowers that provide nectar similar to feeders. Some great hummingbird favorites include bee balm, cardinal flower, and trumpet honeysuckle.
Provide resting perches
Hummingbirds like to perch and survey for predators as they rest between feeding bouts. Include trees, posts, wires, and other perches around your yard.
Put up a mister
Misting sprinklers provide drinking and bathing water for hummers to stay clean and cool themselves on hot migration days.
Avoid pesticides
Skip the bug zappers and refrain from spraying pesticides that would kill insects hummingbirds rely on for protein. Let them feast on mosquitos and other small bugs.
Be quiet
Limit noise from radios, TVs, machinery, barking dogs, etc. Hummers need calm and rest during stopovers.
By following these tips, you can create an oasis that welcomes exhausted migrating hummingbirds and helps them continue their incredible journeys.
Conclusion
In conclusion, male hummingbirds tend to migrate south before females in fall to establish winter territories and because of their higher energy needs and smaller size. However, migration order varies in some species, with overlap or even females leaving first. Hummingbirds undertake epic migrations covering thousands of miles to reach feeding grounds. Their routes include flyways along the coasts and through mountain passes where they find food and habitat for rest stops. The birds rely on innate guidance, environmental cues, memory and orientation skills to navigate accurately during migration. With man-made feeders and gardens providing crucial refueling opportunities, these marathon migratory journeys continue the incredible life cycle of hummingbirds.