Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures that bring joy to backyard birders across Virginia. Their flashy, iridescent colors and energetic flight make them a delight to watch. Many hummingbird species migrate south for the winter, but some do linger in Virginia through the late fall and even into winter.
Typical Hummingbird Migration in Virginia
Most hummingbird species that breed in Virginia migrate south in the fall to spend the winter in Mexico, Central America, South America, or the Caribbean. The timing of their migration depends on the species:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbirds typically migrate from Virginia by late October.
- Rufous Hummingbirds usually migrate through Virginia in August and September.
- Calliope Hummingbirds pass through Virginia on their way south in late August through early October.
- Broad-tailed Hummingbirds migrate south through Virginia in September and early October.
As nights grow longer and temperatures drop, food sources decline, signaling to hummingbirds that it’s time to head south where nectar-rich flowers and insects remain plentiful through the winter. Most hummingbirds depart Virginia by mid-October, but some stragglers may linger into November if food resources allow.
When Do the Last Hummingbirds Leave Virginia?
While most hummingbirds clear out of Virginia by late October or early November, a few hardy individuals have been known to overwinter in the state. Here are some notes on when the last hummingbirds leave different parts of Virginia:
- In Northern Virginia, ruby-throats are usually gone by early November, but rare sightings have occurred as late as early December.
- In Central Virginia, the Richmond area sees most hummingbirds depart by mid-November, but a few may stick around into early December in some years.
- In Coastal Virginia, the warmer temperatures of the Tidewater region allow some ruby-throats and rufous hummingbirds to linger into December. The latest recorded sightings come from the Virginia Beach area in late December.
- In Western Virginia, higher elevations provide sources of late-blooming tubular flowers that sustain hummingbirds. Some ruby-throats and rufous hummingbirds have been spotted in the Roanoke and Shenandoah Valley regions as late as mid-December.
So while Virginia hummingbirds mainly migrate south by late October or November, stragglers sometimes find enough food and suitable conditions to stick it out into December or even January in extremely mild winters.
Providing Late Fall and Winter Hummingbird Food
You can improve the chances of attracting late-lingering hummingbirds to your yard by providing nectar feeders and planting tubular flowers that bloom into the fall and winter. Here are some tips:
- Keep feeders cleaned and filled with fresh nectar (1 part white sugar to 4 parts water) through at least mid-November.
- Choose feeder locations protected from freezing winds and rain/snow. Hang feeders under cover of decks or porches.
- Plant native flowers like coral honeysuckle, trumpet creeper, and cardinal flower which provide nectar into fall and winter in Virginia.
- Leave hummingbird friendly flowers like fuchsia, salvia, and lantana in garden beds to bloom as long as possible into the late season.
With a little extra effort to provide late blooms and clean nectar, you just may get lucky and host one of the rare hummingbirds that tends to stick around Virginia through the winter cold!
Notable Late Hummingbird Sightings in Virginia
Here are some record late hummingbird sighting dates from the Virginia Society of Ornithology and other sources:
| Location | Date | Species |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | December 29, 1987 | Ruby-throated Hummingbird |
| Lexington | December 20, 2008 | Ruby-throated Hummingbird |
| Blacksburg | January 4, 2009 | Ruby-throated Hummingbird |
| Mount Vernon | December 17, 2016 | Rufous Hummingbird |
| Richmond | December 26, 2018 | Ruby-throated Hummingbird |
These record sightings showcase how truly hardy some hummingbirds are and how far out of their normal range they may wander in search of food during winter months.
The Takeaway – Expect Hummingbirds to Leave Virginia By Late Fall
While most hummingbirds exit Virginia by late October or November before winter sets in, hardy stragglers sometimes overwinter in the state if they can find enough food sources. Backyard birders who provide late blooming flowers and clean nectar feeders may get lucky with sightings into December or even January during unseasonably warm winters. But by February, any lingering hummingbirds still in Virginia would be highly unusual.
