Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures that bring joy to backyard birders. Their tiny size, flashy colors, and incredible flying skills make them a delight to watch. However, one challenge many hummingbird lovers face is how to keep these birds visiting their feeders during the winter months when many hummingbirds migrate south.
Why do hummingbirds migrate in winter?
Hummingbirds are migratory birds that nest in North America during the spring and summer. As temperatures drop in fall, most hummingbird species migrate south to warmer climates in Mexico and Central America. There are a couple reasons why hummingbirds migrate:
- Lack of food – The main diet of hummingbirds is flower nectar and small insects like gnats, aphids, and fruit flies. As flowers die off and insects become scarce in winter, hummingbirds leave in search of food.
- Cold temperatures – Hummingbirds have very high metabolisms to support their rapid wing beats and busy activity. They struggle to survive freezing temperatures and winter storms.
So while many hummingbird species fly thousands of miles to their winter homes, some hummingbirds are adapting to stick around farther north if they can find enough food.
What hummingbirds stay in winter?
Most of the hummingbirds seen during summer in the United States and Canada migrate south, including ruby-throated, rufous, black-chinned, broad-tailed, calliope hummingbirds, and more. However, a few species are increasingly overwintering farther north if food sources allow.
The most common wintering hummingbird seen at feeders in the U.S. is the Anna’s hummingbird. This medium-sized hummer with green and gray feathers breeds along the Pacific Coast and southwest. As more people plant winter-blooming gardens, Anna’s hummingbirds are expanding their winter range northward and eastward.
Rufous hummingbirds are also occasional winter residents along the Pacific Coast, where some individuals stop their southern migration. Rare sightings of calliope and broad-tailed hummingbirds may also occur in winter at feeders in the western states.
On the East Coast, buff-bellied hummingbirds are the most likely species to appear in winter in states like Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, though sightings are still uncommon. There are also very rare sightings of ruby-throated hummingbirds along the Gulf Coast and Southern Atlantic Coast during winter months.
What do hummingbirds eat in winter?
Hummingbirds get most of their nutrition from nectar and sap. During winter, important food sources include:
- Backyard feeders – Sugar water feeders provide essential energy.
- Winter-blooming flowers – Plants like coral honeysuckle, camellias, and ornamental salvias provide nectar.
- Native trees and shrubs – Natural food sources include maple, oak, willow, and pine trees which provide sap.
- Insects – Small spiders and flying insects supplement their diet with protein.
Without these key winter food sources, hummingbirds would not get enough calories to survive cold months in northern climates.
How to attract hummingbirds in winter
Here are some tips to make your yard attractive to hummingbirds through winter:
Put up a feeder
You’ll have the best luck tempting hummingbirds to stay if you hang a feeder before fall migration begins. Once hummers find a food source, they are likely to remember its location and return regularly as long as the feeder remains. Choose a hummingbird feeder with a red base, nectar ports, and perches. Hang it in a visible, protected location such as under the eaves.
Offer homemade nectar
Fill your feeder with homemade sugar water, the best recipe to mimic natural nectar. Boil 1 cup of white sugar with 4 cups of water, stirring until dissolved. Let cool before filling the feeder. Refrigerate unused portions. Change the nectar every 2-3 days (daily in hot weather) to prevent spoilage.
Provide heating
Hummingbirds burn energy fast to stay warm. Help them conserve calories by providing a heat source near your feeder. Options include positioning the feeder above a flood light or near a well-insulated light post. You can also purchase heated feeder bases.
Plant winter blooms
Landscape with flowering plants that bloom from fall through early spring. Some good options include coral honeysuckle, salvia, fuchsia, petunias, and flowering maple. Also provide natural food sources like maple, oak and pine trees which hummers tap for sap.
Supplement insects
While hummingbirds get most nutrition from nectar, they also eat small insects for protein. You can supplement their diet by hanging yellow bug feeders or capturing insects and releasing them near the feeder for hummers to pick off.
Provide shelter
Hummingbirds burn energy keeping warm, so they appreciate shelter from cold winds. Plant shrubs and trees to help block wind near feeders. You can also hang a small evergreen branch above the feeder to provide a wind screen.
Avoid pesticides
Hummingbirds consume tiny insects along with nectar. Using pesticides eliminates this food source. Skip the bug spray and let nature provide food naturally.
Do hummingbirds stay in the same place year-round?
Most hummingbirds do not stay in the same location year-round. The vast majority migrate south in fall to warmer climates and fly north again each spring. However, in recent years, a few species like Anna’s hummingbirds are increasingly spending winters farther north than their traditional range if they have adequate food.
By providing nectar feeders and winter-blooming flowers, some individual hummingbirds may take up year-round residence. But even then, they may move around to some extent rather than staying in exactly the same spot continuously.
Banding studies show hummingbirds often return to the same breeding grounds each spring. If you see a hummingbird visiting your yard daily one winter, chances are good it will remember the reliable food source and come back again the next year.
What are the dangers to hummingbirds in winter?
Hummingbirds face new challenges in the winter that can put them at risk, including:
- Lack of food – Without adequate nectar or sap sources, hummingbirds can quickly run out of fuel.
- Freezing temperatures – Hummingbirds expend extra energy keeping warm and can die of exposure in severe cold.
- No insect supplementation – Lack of protein from small insects may cause deficiencies.
- Inclement weather – Snow, ice, and wind put extra stress on hummingbirds.
- Predators – Hawks, cats and other predators may catch hummingbirds off guard.
Providing clean nectar feeders, winter blooms, sap trees, and insect supplementation helps counter these threats. But hummingbirds still benefit from artificial shelters and heat sources to help them save energy.
How do I clean a hummingbird feeder in winter?
Keeping hummingbird feeders clean is especially important in winter when natural nectar sources are scarce. Here are some tips for cleaning feeders in cold weather:
- Wash every 2-3 days – Use hot water and vinegar or a mild, unscented soap. Rinse thoroughly.
- Avoid soap residue – Any leftover soap can harm hummingbirds. Make sure to rinse completely.
- Alternate feeders – Have 2 feeders so birds always have access to nectar.
- Dry fully before refilling – Prevent mold growth by ensuring the feeder is completely dry.
- Disinfect monthly – Use a dilute bleach solution to kill any mold spores.
- Replace feeders annually – Older feeders can harbor bacteria no matter how well you clean them.
With a little extra care, your feeder will provide healthy nectar to sustain hummingbirds through the winter.
Conclusion
Winter hummingbirds may seem unusual, but they can thrive in northern climates with the right habitat. By offering nectar feeders, winter blooms, sap trees, and insect supplementation, you can help provide the food they need. Sheltered feeder placement also aids hummingbirds in saving energy.
While most hummingbird species migrate south for winter, some like Anna’s are expanding their winter range with support from backyard birders. If you live in an area with winter hummingbird sightings, try these tips to turn your yard into a year-round haven. The opportunity to see hummingbirds in winter will bring you wonder and joy during the cold months.