Hummingbirds are a familiar sight in Vermont during the summer months, darting from flower to flower with their fast-beating wings. However, by the fall, most hummingbirds have left Vermont and migrated south to warmer climates for the winter. So when do these tiny birds typically leave the Green Mountain State?
When do hummingbirds migrate from Vermont?
Most hummingbirds leave Vermont between late August and mid-September. The exact timing depends on factors like the weather and food availability, but this is generally when their migration south begins. By early October, the vast majority of hummingbirds have departed Vermont and only a few stragglers may remain.
Here are some key events in the hummingbird migration timeline for Vermont:
- Late July/Early August: Adult male hummingbirds begin leaving Vermont as they finish breeding. Females and juveniles follow over the next few weeks.
- Mid/Late August: Peak migration period when the most hummingbirds leave Vermont.
- Early September: Majority of hummingbirds have left Vermont by this time.
- Mid-September: Only a small number of stragglers remain in Vermont.
- October: Very few to no hummingbirds left in Vermont.
So by October, it’s quite late in the season and most hummingbird feeders in Vermont have gone empty. There’s only a slim chance a super late stray is still around. But abundant food and warm temperatures could convince a few hummingbirds to linger longer before continuing their migration.
What species of hummingbirds live in Vermont?
There are three main species of hummingbirds that spend the summer in Vermont:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird – This is the only breeding hummingbird species in eastern North America. Ruby-throats are bright green on top with a metallic reddish-pink throat patch on the males. They are the most common species in Vermont.
- Rufous Hummingbird – These hummingbirds breed in the Pacific Northwest and some migrate through Vermont in the fall on their way south. The males have a distinctive rusty red color on their backs.
- Calliope Hummingbird – The smallest breeding hummingbird in North America. They have bright purple throats and also pass through Vermont during fall migration from their western breeding grounds.
So while Ruby-throats are the main summer residents, Rufous and Calliope hummingbirds may stop by for short visits in August and September as they migrate through.
Signs that hummingbirds have left Vermont
Here are some signs that hummingbirds have mostly migrated from Vermont by October:
- Hummingbird feeders are empty – If your feeders that were active all summer suddenly become deserted, the hummingbirds have likely moved on.
- No buzzing sounds – The distinct buzz of hummingbird wings is no longer heard around flowers and feeders.
- Less bird activity overall – Many other birds also migrate from Vermont in the fall, so less bird noise and activity in general.
- Changes in plant flowering – Plants that were blooming and attracting hummingbirds in summer have finished flowering for the year.
- First frost – A killing frost ends the main natural food source (nectar) for hummingbirds, signaling them to depart.
Once October arrives and these signs are evident, you can be fairly certain that hummingbirds have left your area in Vermont for their southern wintering grounds. Only a few adults may linger into early October if food and nice weather persist.
Where do hummingbirds that leave Vermont spend the winter?
When hummingbirds depart Vermont in the fall, they embark on an incredible journey to their winter habitat. Here are the main wintering areas for hummingbirds that breed in Vermont:
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Mexico
- Belize
- Guatemala
- Costa Rica
- Panama
- Florida
Most Ruby-throats winter in Central America or southern Mexico. Some may go as far south as Panama. A smaller number spend the winter in warmer climates like southern Florida.
Rufous Hummingbird
- Gulf Coast states (Texas, Louisiana, Alabama)
- Mexico
- Florida
Rufous Hummingbirds migrate through Vermont on their way to winter grounds along the Gulf Coast, Mexico, and Florida after breeding out west.
Calliope Hummingbird
- Mexico
- Central America
Calliope Hummingbirds that pass through Vermont in fall migrate all the way to Mexico and Central America for the winter.
All these tiny birds make incredible multi-thousand mile migrations each fall and spring between Vermont and their tropical wintering grounds. Their endurance on such a long and dangerous journey is truly amazing!
Do any hummingbirds stay in Vermont year-round?
The vast majority of hummingbirds that breed in Vermont migrate south for the winter. However, a few exceptions may overwinter in the state if they have access to food and shelter.
Here are a few factors that may allow some hummingbirds to occasionally overwinter in Vermont:
- Food – Access to active feeders and flowering plants can provide food when insects and flowers are not available.
- Shelter – Conifers, thickets and brush provide cover from the elements during cold weather.
- Mild weather – Winters with periods of warmer weather are more hospitable for hummingbirds.
- Geography – Southwestern coastal areas of Vermont near Lake Champlain may be marginally warmer.
But even in these cases, the chances of hummingbirds surviving a Vermont winter are low. Any verified overwintering hummingbirds are rare exceptions to the migration pattern.
Tips to help overwintering hummingbirds
If you suspect a lost migrator or injured hummingbird is attempting to overwinter in your area, here are some tips to support its survival:
- Keep feeders clean, free of mold and filled with fresh nectar (1 part sugar to 4 parts water).
- Provide multiple feeders to give more feeding opportunities.
- Supply feeders with heating elements to prevent sugar water from freezing.
- Plant winter-blooming flowers like witch hazel or winter jasmine.
- Let vegetation around feeders grow to provide wind breaks.
- Build a shelter box specifically designed for hummingbirds.
With lots of high energy food and protection from the cold, an overwintering hummingbird will have a fighting chance to survive in Vermont’s harsh winter conditions.
How do hummingbirds know when to migrate?
Hummingbirds have an innate ability to know when it’s time to migrate. Here are some of the cues hummingbirds use:
- Changes in daylight – Shorter days and fewer daylight hours trigger their biological migration clock.
- Cooler temperatures – Chilly nights and frost signal it’s time to move on.
- Food availability – The end of blooming, nectar scarcity and lack of insects drive migration.
- Weather fronts – Dramatic weather changes such as cold fronts may spur migration.
- Migratory restlessness – Internal urges result in increased activity, feeding, and orientation behaviors.
Younger birds may also rely on older hummingbirds to guide them on their first migration south. These innate cues and social interactions allow hummingbirds to begin migration at the optimal time each season.
Conclusion
In conclusion, most hummingbirds leave Vermont between late August and mid-September as part of their annual fall migration. By October, only a few stragglers may linger in the state before continuing their journey south. While overwintering hummingbirds are rare, providing feeders, flowers, and shelters can help support any birds attempting to tough out the winter in Vermont. These tiny travelers have an amazing internal guidance system that tells them when to head south each year to warmer climates.
