Hummingbirds are a beloved sign of spring for many people across Ohio. Their return from their southern wintering grounds marks the start of warmer weather and the awakening of nature after the cold winter months. But exactly when do these tiny birds come back to Ohio each year?
The Return of Hummingbirds to Ohio
Most hummingbirds that breed in Ohio migrate south in the fall to spend the winter in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. As the weather warms in the spring, they make the long journey back north to their breeding grounds in Ohio and other northern states.
In Ohio, the most common hummingbird species is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. These hummingbirds generally begin arriving back in Ohio in early April, though timing can vary depending on weather conditions each year. Here is an overview of when to expect hummingbirds to return to different regions of Ohio:
- Southwest Ohio: Late March to early April
- Central Ohio: Mid April
- Northeast Ohio: Late April
The first arrivals are usually adult male hummingbirds. Females and immature hummingbirds tend to arrive a week or two later. By early May, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have usually all returned to Ohio and are busy feeding on flower nectar, constructing nests, and preparing to breed.
What Triggers the Return Migration?
So what triggers hummingbirds to start their spring migration back to Ohio? Migration is an incredibly complex process that is prompted by a combination of changes in daylight length, weather and food availability, and the bird’s internal circannual rhythms. Here are some of the key factors:
- Increasing daylight – As days get longer in late winter and early spring, hummingbirds’ hormones and other physiological factors prepare them for migration.
- Warming temperatures – Warmer temperatures allow flowering plants and nectar sources to bloom farther north, providing food for hummingbirds along the migration route.
- Internal circadian rhythms – Hummingbirds have internal annual clocks that guide them to migrate at optimal times between seasons.
By paying close attention to all these factors, hummingbirds can time their migration to coincide with the blooming of food sources along their route. This ensures they arrive in Ohio right when spring flowers are starting to bloom and provide nectar.
What is the Migration Route?
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds follow a well-defined migration route each spring as they return to Ohio from their wintering grounds. Here is an overview of the journey:
- They depart Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean by mid-March. Early migrants may leave as early as late January.
- They fly across the Gulf of Mexico, typically departing from the Yucatan Peninsula and crossing the 500+ mile distance in a single overnight flight.
- After reaching the Gulf Coast, they move north through states like Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia.
- By April, they arrive in Tennessee, Kentucky, and southern Ohio.
- As they fan out farther north, they reach northern Ohio by late April and early May.
Throughout this journey, the hummingbirds make frequent stops to rest and refuel, relying on sources of nectar provided by flowers, feeders, and sugar water mixes along the way. Their route precisely mirrors the blooming of spring ephemeral wildflowers, allowing the birds to constantly find food.
What Do Hummingbirds Do in Ohio?
Once the hummingbirds complete their epic spring migration and arrive in Ohio, they spend the summer breeding, nesting, and raising their young. Here are some of the key activities hummingbirds are engaged in during the Ohio summer:
- Feeding – Hummingbirds have a very high metabolism and must constantly eat nectar and insects to maintain their energy. Their preferred flowers in Ohio include columbine, bee balm, trumpet vine, and others with long, tubular blooms perfectly adapted to the hummingbird’s long beak and tongue.
- Building nests – Female hummingbirds construct tiny, compact nests out of soft plant down, spider silk, lichen, and buds. Nests are usually placed on small tree branches.
- Laying and incubating eggs – Female hummingbirds lay 1-3 pea-sized white eggs and incubate them for 2-3 weeks.
- Caring for chicks – Once the eggs hatch, the female feeds the chicks with regurgitated nectar and insects. Chicks fledge in about 3 weeks.
- Establishing territories – Male hummingbirds are highly territorial and establish feeding areas they aggressively defend from intruders.
In addition to breeding, hummingbirds play an important role in pollination as they move from flower to flower accessing nectar. Their return to Ohio each spring is a key part of restoring the state’s ecosystems and food webs.
When Do Hummingbirds Leave Ohio in Fall?
Just as hummingbirds precisely time their spring migration, they also have an internal clock guiding their fall migration from Ohio. Here is an overview:
- Hummingbirds begin leaving Ohio by late August or early September.
- The southward fall migration peaks in September and early October as birds move through the state.
- By late October, most hummingbirds have left Ohio and migrated south for the winter.
- A few stragglers may linger into November if food resources allow.
To prepare for migration, hummingbirds entering pre-migratory fat storage, increasing their body weight by 25-40%. This provides energy reserves for their long journey. Shifting wind patterns, dropping temperatures, and other weather cues signal it is time to migrate.
As hummingbirds depart Ohio in fall, they follow a well-mapped route in reverse. This returns them to their winter homes in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Here they spend the cold winter months until it is time to migrate north again next spring.
How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Yard
Many people enjoy watching hummingbirds visit their yards during spring and summer. Here are some tips to attract these flying jewels to your garden:
- Plant nectar-rich flowers they will feed on like bee balm, red hot pokers, and trumpet vine.
- Set up nectar feeders with a 1:4 ratio of sugar to water and change nectar every 2-3 days.
- Add a dripping water fountain or mister for drinking and bathing.
- Avoid using pesticides that may be harmful if consumed.
- Provide small trees and shrubs for nesting and perching.
- Choose red feeders they are naturally attracted to.
- Plant flowers of different colors and shapes to appeal to them.
With a little planning, you can create an enticing space full of the food, water, shelter and nesting sites hummingbirds need. This will increase your chances of spotting these special spring migrants stopping by your yard.
Fun Facts About Hummingbirds
Here are some interesting facts about hummingbirds worth knowing:
- Their wings can beat up to 200 times per second, allowing them to fly backwards and hover in midair.
- They have incredibly long tongues that unzip to reach deep into flowers.
- To conserve energy overnight, they go into a hibernation-like state called torpor.
- They build nests about the size of a walnut using spider webs and lichen to stretch across gaps.
- Hummingbirds are found only in the Americas, with most species in South America.
- Their name comes from the characteristic humming sound their wings make in flight.
- They have excellent memory and can remember detailed feeding locations from year to year.
- Hummingbirds are fiercely territorial and will chase off intruders entering their domain.
Hummingbirds are incredible little birds that captivate people across Ohio each spring. Watching their aerial displays and acrobatics is a much-anticipated rite of the season. With some preparation, you can attract them to your own yard and enjoy their beauty up close.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about when hummingbirds return to Ohio each spring:
What are the best flowers to plant for hummingbirds?
Great options include tubular flowers like bee balm, cardinal flower, trumpet vine, columbine, and red hot pokers. Hummingbirds favor red flowers but also visit others like orange, pink, purple, and yellow.
Should I take down my feeders in fall when hummingbirds leave Ohio?
Yes, it’s recommended to remove feeders by late September or early October at the latest. This will avoid discouraging any late-migrating birds from continuing their southern journey.
How long does it take a hummingbird to return to Ohio from Mexico?
Most complete the 1,500+ mile one-way journey in 7-14 days. They cover 20-40 miles each night, stopping to refuel along the way during the day.
Do hummingbird feeders need to be taken down in winter?
Yes, remove and clean feeders after hummingbirds depart in fall. The sugar water can spoil and breed bacteria if left out in freezing temperatures.
How often should I change hummingbird nectar?
Nectar should be changed every 2-3 days during warm weather to prevent it from spoiling. Clean feeders thoroughly before refilling.
Do hummingbirds migrate during the day or night?
Most migration happens at night when air is more stable. They rest and refuel during the daytime between travel periods.
Conclusion
The return of hummingbirds is one of the most exciting signs that spring has arrived in Ohio. These incredible migrants make a long and perilous journey each year to reach their breeding grounds across the state. With some planning, you can welcome hummingbirds back by providing nectar sources and habitat in your own yard. Watch for them arriving in April and May as they fan out across Ohio and bring their beauty and grace back for the summer season.