Hummingbirds are amazing little birds that can flap their wings up to 80 times per second. This allows them to hover in place as well as fly forwards, backwards, upside down, and in many other directions. Their flying skills make them well suited for undertaking migration, with some species traveling thousands of miles each year.
How do hummingbirds migrate?
Hummingbirds migrate to take advantage of seasonal food sources and nesting conditions. The majority of hummingbird species that breed in North America migrate south in the fall to spend the winter in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Then they return north again in the spring to breed. Ruby-throated hummingbirds may migrate over the Gulf of Mexico, a 500 mile nonstop flight over open water. Other hummingbird species follow land routes that trace the coasts or mountain ranges. No matter what route they take, migration is an impressive feat for a bird that fits in the palm of your hand and weighs less than a nickel.
Hummingbirds fly alone during migration. They do not form large flocks like many songbird species. Each bird navigates its way over hundreds or thousands of miles, propelled only by the power of its tiny wings.
How far do they travel in total?
Here are some examples of total migration distances for particular hummingbird species:
- Ruby-throated hummingbird – Between 3,900 and 4,800 miles
- Rufous hummingbird – Between 3,100 and 5,000 miles
- Allen’s hummingbird – Between 1,000 and 1,500 miles
- Calliope hummingbird – Between 2,000 and 2,600 miles
- Broad-tailed hummingbird – Between 1,600 and 2,800 miles
As you can see, ruby-throated hummingbirds may migrate nearly 5,000 miles between their breeding and wintering grounds. Other species undertake migrations of 1,000 miles or more.
How far do they travel each day?
During migration, a hummingbird may fly between 20 to 40 miles on an average day. However, capable of traveling much farther when conditions require it. Here are some estimates for daily travel distances:
- 20 to 25 miles per day is common during migration
- Up to 40 miles per day under normal migration conditions
- 250 miles or more in a single day if crossing the Gulf of Mexico
- 100 miles or more per day to avoid a weather front or find food
It’s impressive that a bird that weighs only 3 to 5 grams can fly 25 to 40 miles in a single day. For a person that would be equivalent to running back-to-back marathons daily!
What factors influence how far they fly each day?
The following factors can all affect how many miles a hummingbird is able to travel in a day during migration:
- Weather – Hummingbirds avoid flying in rain, strong winds, or low temperatures. Bad weather may decrease flight distances.
- Food availability – Lack of nectar sources may force hummingbirds to fly farther between stops.
- Geography – Features like mountains, coastlines, or gaps across water affect route options.
- Predators – The need to avoid hawks and other predators influences flight distances.
- Age and health – Juveniles and less fit adults likely fly shorter distances.
To ensure they have fuel for their long journeys, hummingbirds get nearly all their energy from nectar and the insects they eat. As they fly, they are burning lots of calories. So they need to keep finding food in order to keep going. Access to regular food and rest stops along migration routes is key.
How do they fly so far?
Hummingbirds have many anatomical and physiological adaptations that allow them to fly long distances efficiently:
- Lightweight skeleton and small body size
- Powerful chest muscles to flap wings
- Excellent aerodynamics from streamlined body and wings
- Rotating wrist joint allows wings to beat in figure 8 pattern
- High metabolism and fast heart rate provide energy
- Ability to go into torpor to conserve energy overnight
While flying, hummingbirds flap their wings in a figure 8 pattern that creates lift on both the downstroke and upstroke. This allows them to hover and fly in any direction with great precision and stability. The fast wing beating also generates the high power output needed for endurance flights such as migration.
How high do they fly during migration?
When migrating, hummingbirds typically fly at lower altitudes than they do normally. Exact flight heights vary by species, weather conditions, and topography. Some general guidelines on migration flight height include:
- Often fly below 1,000 feet altitude during migration
- May fly at 100 to 500 feet altitude when over land
- Higher when crossing mountains up to 12,000 feet
- Lower when crossing open water, down to just inches above the surface
Flying low allows the birds to more easily find food, shelter, and stopover sites when needed. It also takes advantage of any tailwinds, provides safety from predators, and likely makes navigation easier. The one exception is crossing high mountain ranges, where they fly high to clear the peaks.
Do they fly nonstop for days at a time?
Hummingbirds may fly nonstop for up to 12 hours at a time. But they cannot fly continuously for multiple days in a row. At night they need to rest and refuel. Here is how hummingbird migration works with stopping and refueling:
- Active flight is usually done during daylight hours
- Need to feed regularly during the day to have energy to keep flying
- Overnight they go into torpor to conserve energy
- May lose 10% or more of body weight overnight
- Resume flying after waking and feeding in the morning
The longest nonstop flight a hummingbird can perform is likely when crossing the Gulf of Mexico, which may take up to 24 hours. Even then, they still lose weight overnight from the extreme exertion required.
How long does migration take?
One way migration may take a hummingbird anywhere from one week to a month or longer. Here are some estimates on how long the migration journey takes for particular species:
- Ruby-throated hummingbird – 5 to 8 weeks
- Rufous hummingbird – 3 to 5 weeks
- Allen’s hummingbird – 2 to 3 weeks
- Calliope hummingbird – 3 to 4 weeks
The smallest hummingbird species migrate shorter distances so they can complete the journey faster. Larger hummingbirds travel farther so their migrations tend to be longer. Males and juvenile birds that migrate later may complete the trip faster by flying farther each day.
Conclusion
In summary, hummingbirds are exceptional migrants capable of flying 20 to 40 miles or more in a typical day. However, they cannot fly nonstop for multiple days and need to rest and refuel. Total migration journeys may exceed 3,000 or 4,000 miles for some species. Given their tiny size, the stamina and endurance of hummingbirds is truly impressive! After flying hundreds or thousands of miles, they reliably find their way back to the same breeding and wintering sites each year.
