What month do you stop seeing hummingbirds?

Hummingbirds are a beloved backyard visitor for many people across North America. Their tiny size, lightning quick movements, and ability to hover in midair make them a joy to watch. Hummingbirds migrate great distances each year, traveling between their summer breeding grounds in the United States and Canada to their winter homes in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. This means that hummingbirds are only present in many parts of North America during the warmer months. So what month do you typically stop seeing hummingbirds before they head south for the winter?

When hummingbirds migrate

Most hummingbirds migrate south between August and November, depending on the species and location. Here is an overview of when most common hummingbird species depart the northern United States and Canada in the fall:

As you can see, most hummingbirds leave sometime between August and October. But this can vary depending on the region. Hummingbirds in more northern areas, such as Canada and the northern U.S. states, will depart earlier in August and September. In more southern areas, some hummingbirds may linger into November.

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most widespread and common hummingbird species in eastern North America. Most leave sometime between mid-August and early November. They nest furthest north compared to other species, so are one of the earliest fall migrators – usually starting to migrate south by late August.

Rufous Hummingbirds and Allen’s Hummingbirds are two common western species. Rufous Hummingbirds are one of the earliest migrants, leaving northern areas as early as July and August. Allen’s Hummingbirds depart somewhere between September and late October typically.

Anna’s Hummingbirds and Black-chinned Hummingbirds are two year-round residents across much of the southern U.S. Some northern populations of these species migrate south between October and November.

What causes hummingbirds to migrate?

Hummingbirds migrate in response to changes in food availability, daylight length, and weather conditions. Here are some of the main factors that trigger fall migration:

• Decline in food – The flowers and nectar plants hummingbirds feed on start to fade and die off as winter approaches. This decrease in food sources motivates them to move south where nectar is still readily available.
• Changing daylight length – Hummingbirds sense the shortening amount of daylight towards fall and winter. This physiological change causes them to eat more to store fat reserves for migration.
• Cooler temperatures – Hummingbirds are sensitive to cold and cannot survive freezing temperatures. The onset of fall and dropping temperatures spurs them to migrate before it gets too cold.
• Genetics and instincts – Millions of years of evolution have ingrained migration timing into hummingbirds’ genetics. Their instincts tell them when it’s time to start migrating south each year.

How far south do hummingbirds migrate?

Most hummingbirds that breed in the United States and Canada migrate all the way to Mexico, Central America, or the Caribbean for the winter. Here are some examples of migration distances:

• Ruby-throated Hummingbirds breed across Canada and the Eastern U.S. Most migrate to southern Mexico or Central America – a journey of over 2,000 miles one-way.
• Rufous Hummingbirds nest in the Pacific Northwest and Canada. They migrate to Mexico and the Gulf Coast – a trip around 2,000 to 4,000 miles each way.
• Broad-tailed Hummingbirds breeding in Colorado and Wyoming fly over 600 miles south to winter in Mexico.
• Calliope and Black-chinned Hummingbirds may migrate between Utah and southern Arizona and New Mexico in the fall.

As you can see, most hummingbirds travel remarkably long distances each fall and spring. Their small size allows them to fly hundreds of miles nonstop over areas like the Gulf of Mexico that lack rest stops.

While food is what sustains hummingbirds on their migration, another key element is having habitat corridors of trees, shrubs, and blooming plants along their route. This allows the birds to rest and refuel during their journey south.

What is the longest recorded hummingbird migration?

One particular Rufous Hummingbird holds the record for the longest recorded migration of any hummingbird. This female bird was tagged by researchers and tracked as she flew an incredible 3,900 miles from Alaska to Mexico in fall 2011. This epic journey took her two months to complete.

Most Rufous Hummingbirds migrate between 2,000 to 4,000 miles each way between their breeding and wintering grounds. So while this particular bird set a new record, her migration distance was not unusual for her species.

In general, Rufous Hummingbirds and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds undertake the longest migrations of any North American hummingbirds. Both species nest further north than other types of hummingbirds and must travel greater distances to reach warm tropical areas each winter.

Do any hummingbirds stay in the north all winter?

The vast majority of hummingbirds in the United States and Canada migrate south in fall. But a very small number of certain species will overwinter in the southwestern U.S. or Pacific Northwest instead of migrating all the way to the tropics. Here are a few exceptions:

• Anna’s Hummingbirds – Some birds in coastal California and the Pacific Northwest may stay through winter instead of migrating.
• Rufous Hummingbirds – A small number of females spend the winter in the southeastern U.S. or Pacific Coast rather than migrating to Mexico.
• Calliope Hummingbirds – Rare winter records exist from the Pacific Coast.
• Black-chinned Hummingbirds – May overwinter in southwestern states like Arizona and New Mexico.

These overwintering hummingbirds rely on feeders and flowering plants, and some may not survive the coldest months. But their ability to handle cold weather is an oddity among hummingbird species.

How can I attract hummingbirds before migration?

Here are some tips to bring hummingbirds to your yard in late summer and early fall before they migrate:

• Keep feeders clean, full, and use fresh nectar.
• Provide a water source like a mister, fountain, or small pond.
• Plant lots of late-blooming flowers like bee balm, zinnias, and trumpet vine.
• Don’t remove feeders or flowering plants in early fall, keep them available.
• Avoid trimming bushes and trees in fall so birds have shelter.
• Consider putting up a hummingbird feeder for the first time to draw in migrants.

It’s also important not to trim or prune back plants that are still flowering and providing food for migrating hummingbirds in early fall. Leave these essential food sources untouched.

Hummingbirds migrating through your area in August and September are fueling up for their incredible journey south. So keeping your yard stocked with food and shelter will provide much needed support right when they need it most.

Why do hummingbird numbers drop off in fall?

Even though you may suddenly notice far fewer hummingbirds buzzing around your yard in late summer, there are good reasons for this change:

• Mortality during migration – There is high mortality and predation risk during migration across the Gulf of Mexico and other barriers.
• Dispersal to breeding grounds – Males leave winter grounds first and spread out across breeding range before females arrive.
• Young birds migrate later – Adult hummingbirds migrate first while fledglings depart later in fall after maturing.
• Changing food sources – Later flowering plants attract hummingbirds to different areas than your yard.
• Competition at feeders – Migrating birds may be scared off by dominant residents at your feeders.

While fewer hummingbirds at your feeders may be alarming, it’s a normal seasonal shift as flowers change and migration gets underway. Focus on keeping feeders clean and full, and wait to remove them until November when most hummingbirds are gone.

What’s the last month you’ll see hummingbirds before they migrate?

In most northern areas, the last month you can expect to see hummingbirds before migration is September or October. Here are the typical last sightings before they disappear for winter:

• Northeast U.S. – August to September
• Midwest U.S – August to September
• Southeast U.S. – September to October
• Northwest U.S. and Canada – August
• Southwest U.S. – September to November

In southern regions, a few hummingbird species like Anna’s and Black-chinned may linger into November or even December. But most areas will see their last hummingbirds anywhere between August and October before migration is in full swing.

Keep an eye out for hummingbirds darting around your yard in the late summer and early fall months. With each passing week, you’re more likely to catch them before they disappear on their epic migration south for the winter.

Conclusion

Hummingbirds make a long migration each fall from the United States and Canada to wintering grounds in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Most species depart sometime between August and October. But the exact timing can vary by individual bird, species, and geographic location.

Understanding when hummingbirds migrate helps homeowners know when to expect their arrival each spring and how long they’ll be around in summer and fall. Leaving feeders up and gardens blooming into early fall provides vital fuel reserves for migrating hummingbirds before their incredible journey south.

While their departure can be bittersweet, we can look forward to these tiny travelers making their way back again next spring to delight us with their beauty, speed, and fearless personalities.