Hummingbirds are known for their small size, beautiful iridescent plumage, and ability to hover in midair as they feed on nectar from flowers. Of the over 300 different species of hummingbirds found worldwide, around two dozen species migrate annually between their breeding grounds in North America and their wintering grounds in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is the most common and widespread hummingbird species in eastern North America. They breed throughout the eastern United States and southeastern Canada during the spring and summer. As temperatures drop in late summer and early fall, ruby-throated hummingbirds begin migrating south to their wintering grounds in Florida, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. It is estimated that around 80-90% of the breeding ruby-throated hummingbird population migrates out of the United States every winter. Key wintering sites for ruby-throats include coastal Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, and Cuba.
Rufous Hummingbird
The rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is a medium-sized hummingbird that breeds in the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountains as far north as Alaska during spring and summer. As winter approaches, rufous hummingbirds migrate south through Mexico to reach their wintering grounds in coastal Mexico and Central America. Some rufous hummingbirds may travel as far south as Panama. Rufous hummingbirds are one of the most cold-hardy hummingbird species, with some individuals overwintering along the Gulf Coast of the United States. However, most rufous hummingbirds migrate all the way to Mexico and Central America for the winter.
Allen’s Hummingbird
Allen’s hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin) breeds along the Pacific Coast from southern Oregon to Baja California. Populations breeding in the northernmost parts of its range migrate south to winter in coastal California and the Baja Peninsula. However, Allen’s hummingbirds breeding further south are permanent residents in their breeding range in California and Mexico. Some individuals may wander east after breeding to Arizona and New Mexico before migrating south to winter in Mexico.
Calliope Hummingbird
The tiny calliope hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) is the smallest breeding hummingbird in North America. They breed at high elevations in the mountains of western North America as far north as Washington and Alberta. As winter approaches, calliope hummingbirds migrate south primarily through Arizona and New Mexico to reach their wintering grounds in Mexico. Some calliopes may continue migrating to winter in Guatemala.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Broad-tailed hummingbirds (Selasphorus platycercus) breed across the Rocky Mountains from Wyoming to New Mexico during spring and summer. By late summer, they begin migrating south to their wintering grounds primarily in Mexico, though some may reach Central America. Key wintering areas for broad-tailed hummingbirds include coastal and southern Mexico.
Buff-bellied Hummingbird
The buff-bellied hummingbird (Amazilia yucatanensis) is a medium-sized tropical species that breeds in southern Texas through Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Northern populations in Texas and northeastern Mexico migrate south to winter along both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Mexico and Central America. As far south as Panama, buff-bellied hummingbirds are year-round residents.
Violet-crowned Hummingbird
Violet-crowned hummingbirds (Amazilia violiceps) breed primarily in central and southern Arizona before migrating south to winter along Mexico’s Pacific coast. Some vagrants may reach the Atlantic coast as well. They winter from Sonora and Sinaloa south to Guerrero, Mexico.
White-eared Hummingbird
White-eared hummingbirds (Hylocharis leucotis) breed in the mountains from southern Arizona to Oaxaca, Mexico. Northern populations migrate south to winter along both coasts of Mexico through Central America. As far south as Nicaragua, white-eared hummingbirds are present year-round in their breeding range.
Berylline Hummingbird
The berylline hummingbird (Amazilia beryllina) breeds primarily in the Madrean Sky Islands along the border of southeast Arizona and southwest New Mexico before migrating south to western Mexico for the winter. They winter along Mexico’s Pacific coast from Sonora to Guerrero.
Plain-capped Starthroat
Plain-capped starthroats (Heliomaster constantii) breed in mountains and canyons of southeast Arizona, southwest New Mexico, and northern Mexico. Populations breeding farther north migrate south to winter along Mexico’s Pacific coast. Plain-capped starthroats breeding in southern Mexico are present year-round.
Magnificent Hummingbird
The magnificant hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens) is a large, colorful hummingbird species that breeds in mountains and canyons from southeastern Arizona to west-central Mexico. Northern populations migrate south to the Pacific coast of Mexico, while southern breeding populations are permanent residents. They winter from Sinaloa to Guerrero, Mexico.
Blue-throated Hummingbird
Blue-throated hummingbirds (Lampornis clemenciae) are a large hummingbird species that breed in southeastern Arizona, southern New Mexico, and northern Mexico. They migrate south after breeding to winter along both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Mexico through Guatemala. Some may wander as far south as El Salvador and Honduras in winter.
Lucifer Hummingbird
The aptly named Lucifer hummingbird (Calothorax lucifer) breeds in northwestern Mexico and has been expanding its breeding range north into southeastern Arizona and southern New Mexico in recent decades. After breeding, Lucifer hummingbirds migrate south to winter along Mexico’s Pacific coast from Sonora to Colima.
Costa’s Hummingbird
Costa’s hummingbird (Calypte costae) breeds in southern Arizona, southwest New Mexico, and northwest Mexico before migrating to winter primarily in Guerrero, Mexico. Vagrants may reach the Yucatan Peninsula during winter as well.
Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s hummingbird (Calypte anna) has a breeding range along the Pacific Coast from southern British Columbia to Baja California. Most breeding populations in the United States (California and western Arizona) are year-round residents. Breeding populations farther south in Baja California migrate north after breeding to winter in southern California and Arizona.
Black-chinned Hummingbird
The black-chinned hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) breeds throughout the western United States from British Columbia to Texas. Most northern breeding populations migrate south to winter along Mexico’s Pacific coast. However, some black-chinned hummingbirds may overwinter in the southernmost parts of their breeding range along the Gulf Coast and southern Arizona.
Conclusion
In summary, over a dozen hummingbird species that breed in the United States and Canada migrate south to spend the winter in Mexico and Central America. The most common wintering hummingbird species in Central America include the ruby-throated hummingbird, rufous hummingbird, calliope hummingbird, broad-tailed hummingbird, buff-bellied hummingbird, magnificent hummingbird, blue-throated hummingbird, Lucifer hummingbird, and black-chinned hummingbird. Central American countries that host significant wintering hummingbird populations include Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Panama.
Hummingbirds migrate to Mexico and Central America in late summer and early fall to take advantage of the warmer climates and continued availability of food resources through the winter months. They breed primarily in North America due to the abundance of food resources during spring and summer to support breeding. The long migratory journeys made annually by these tiny birds to and from their breeding and wintering grounds is one of nature’s most incredible feats.
