Hummingbirds are a beloved sight in upstate New York, darting from flower to flower with their fast wingbeats and long needle-like bills. These tiny birds fly thousands of miles to their breeding grounds in the eastern United States and Canada each spring, escaping the cold winters of Central America and Mexico. But how long do hummingbirds stick around before migrating back south in the fall?
Arrival of hummingbirds in upstate NY
Most hummingbirds arrive in upstate New York in May, when flowers are starting to bloom and insects are emerging. The exact timing of their arrival depends on the species:
- Ruby-throated hummingbirds are usually the first to arrive, appearing in early to mid May.
- Rufous hummingbirds arrive a bit later, in late May.
- Calliope hummingbirds bring up the rear, typically showing up in early June.
Weather conditions can also affect when hummingbirds first show up. If spring comes early and flowers start blooming sooner, hummingbirds may arrive on the earlier side. A cold, wet spring can delay their arrival by a week or two. But by June, most hummingbird species have reached their summer breeding grounds in upstate NY.
Peak hummingbird season
The peak time to see hummingbirds in upstate New York is between mid-July and early September. During these summer months, hummingbird populations are at their highest as the birds busily build nests, lay eggs, feed babies, and power their high-energy lifestyle. There is also an abundance of natural nectar from flowers like bee balm, trumpet vine, and cardinal flower.
Some of the best places to spot hummingbirds in upstate NY during peak season include:
- Backyard gardens with nectar feeders and flowering plants
- Parks and nature preserves like Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
- Hiking trails through meadows and forests
- Areas near streams or ponds where insects gather
In addition to native ruby-throats, keep an eye out for migrating rufous and calliope hummingbirds that pass through on their way south. The variety of hummingbird species increases in mid to late summer.
Hummingbird departure
Most hummingbirds leave upstate New York by late September or early October. Here are the typical departure times for common upstate NY hummingbirds:
| Hummingbird Species | Departure Time |
|---|---|
| Ruby-throated | Mid September to early October |
| Rufous | Late August to mid September |
| Calliope | Mid to late August |
As flowers fade and cold weather approaches, hummingbirds know it’s time to migrate. Fat stores built up during summer and fall help fuel their long journey back to Mexico and Central America.
Some hummingbird stragglers may linger into October if food resources remain. But sightings in November and December are very rare as temperatures drop too low for hummingbirds to survive.
Do any hummingbirds overwinter in upstate NY?
Overwintering refers to birds that spend the entire winter in an area instead of migrating. Most hummingbirds do not overwinter in upstate New York due to the unfavorable cold conditions. However, a few ruby-throated and rufous hummingbirds have been known to overwinter in sheltered microclimates along the shores of Lakes Erie and Ontario when food is available.
Attempts to overwinter generally do not end well since hummingbirds are highly vulnerable to starvation. Maintaining their supercharged metabolism requires constantly finding food, which becomes scarce when nectar-producing flowers die off. Freezing temperatures can also lead to deadly torpor.
Without access to artificial feeders providing sugar water, overwintering hummingbirds in upstate New York often do not survive until spring. Banding records from the Braddock Bay Bird Observatory on Lake Ontario show that only 1 out of 6 hummingbirds banded in the fall are encountered again the following spring.
What’s the longest recorded overwintering?
The longest known overwintering by a hummingbird in upstate New York is 146 days, recorded by the Braddock Bay Bird Observatory west of Rochester:
- Species: Ruby-throated hummingbird
- Arrival date: August 28
- Departure date: January 21
- Total days overwintering: 146 days
This female ruby-throat survived due to the plentiful nectar provided by the banding station’s four feeders, which were kept thawed and stocked through the winter. Natural food sources were likely scarce or unavailable during this timespan.
Overwinterings over 100 days are considered quite rare. Most hummingbirds that linger into late fall leave by late November or December. But this record shows that some individuals can tough it out through the winter with adequate artificial food supplies.
Why do hummingbirds migrate?
Hummingbirds migrate incredible distances each year for two main reasons:
- Food: Flowers and nectar-producing plants that hummingbirds feed on are not available year-round in upstate New York. The birds must travel south to find food through the winter.
- Climate: Hummingbirds are sensitive to cold weather and cannot survive freezing temperatures for extended periods. Migrating to tropical climates keeps them from succumbing to exposure.
Their small size and high metabolism requires a constant supply of food. Hummingbirds entering torpor overnight to conserve energy burn up to half their body weight. A long-term energy shortage or extreme drop in temperature could prove fatal.
So like many migratory birds that breed in North America, hummingbirds have evolved to move with the seasons. Heading south in fall and north in spring follows the bloom of flowers and emergence of insects they rely on for food.
How far do they migrate?
Different hummingbird species that visit upstate New York migrate varying distances between their summer and winter homes:
- Ruby-throated: Over 5,000 miles between upstate NY and Central America
- Rufous: Up to 3,900 miles between upstate NY and Mexico
- Calliope: Around 2,600 miles between upstate NY and Mexico/southern U.S.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds undertake one of the most incredible migrations in the bird world. They fly non-stop over the Gulf of Mexico, a 500 to 600 mile journey requiring 20+ hours of flight time. Their wings beat up to 75 times per second to achieve these marathon migrations.
Rufous and calliope hummingbirds migrate along the Pacific coast and through the Rocky Mountains, stopping periodically to rest and refuel. Their migration is equally remarkable but follows a more incremental pathway.
How do they navigate migration?
Scientists are still working to understand all the cues hummingbirds use to navigate their migratory journeys with such precision. Here are some of the ways they find their way:
- Using the earth’s magnetic field as a compass
- Orienting to the position of the sun
- Following landmarks like coastlines and mountain ranges
- Detecting ultraviolet light wavelengths
Younger birds may imprint on their migration route and timing by traveling with experienced adults their first year. Hummingbirds also appear capable of using sensors in their brains to track time and distance traveled. Their navigation abilities are nothing short of incredible considering their tiny size.
Conclusion
The hummingbirds that bring joy and wonder to backyards and gardens in upstate New York spend most of the year embarked on epic migratory journeys. Ruby-throats arrive from Central America by May and head south by September or October. Some rare individuals can be found overwintering along the Great Lakes when ample food is available.
While the time hummingbirds spend in upstate NY each year is brief, these tough and tenacious birds never fail to delight people with their dazzling colors, speedy flight, and tireless appetites. Their perseverance in surviving thousands of miles of travel and harsh elements is something we can all admire.
