Hummingbirds are amazing little birds that bring joy to backyard birders across North America. Their colorful, iridescent feathers and incredible hovering flight make them a delight to watch. These tiny birds have extremely high metabolisms and must consume nectar frequently throughout the day to fuel their high energy lifestyle. During warmer months, flowering plants provide a reliable food source. But as autumn approaches and blooms begin to fade, hummingbirds face a dilemma. Do they continue seeking scarce flowers or is it time to migrate? Understanding hummingbird feeding and migration patterns can help people provide needed fuel reserves without delaying their departure. This article will examine when and why hummingbirds migrate, signs that they are preparing to migrate, and recommendations for when to stop feeding hummingbirds based on your location. Equipped with this knowledge, you can help facilitate a safe migration while still enjoying hummingbirds throughout the fall.
Why Do Hummingbirds Migrate?
Hummingbirds migrate to avoid starvation and freezing temperatures. Their high metabolism requires frequent feeding, with a typical hummingbird visiting 1,000 to 2,000 flowers per day. As autumn arrives, flowers become scarce in many regions of North America, unable to provide the constant nourishment hummingbirds need. Compounding the problem, hummingbird bodies lack insulation and the ability to shiver. Exposure to freezing temperatures, common during winter months, could be fatal. Migration allows hummingbirds to survive by traveling to warmer climates with plentiful flowers and food sources. Central America, Mexico, and the southern United States provide safe overwintering grounds until they can return the following spring. Some key reasons hummingbirds migrate include:
- Lack of food. Scarce blooms mean they cannot meet energy needs.
- Freezing temperatures. Threat of hypothermia and death due to cold weather.
- Lack of insulation. Inability to keep warm without ample fat stores.
- High metabolism. Requires frequent feeding throughout the day.
- Ideal overwintering habitat. Abundant food and warm weather farther south.
Preparing to Migrate
Hummingbirds exhibit specific behaviors as they prepare to migrate. Recognizing these signs can indicate migration is imminent. Actions you may observe include:
- Increased appetite – Dramatic increase in food consumption to build fat reserves for the long journey.
- Territoriality – Abandoning nesting areas and defense of feeding territories.
- Excess energy – Flitting and flying around erratically, unable to settle.
- Migrating scouts – A few early birds passing through before the main migration.
- Nest abandonment – Leaving nests and fledglings indicating preparations to migrate.
These behaviors show up 1-2 weeks prior to migration and signal that the time to depart is approaching. Providing ample food during this critical fat-building stage helps ensure hummingbirds are energized for a safe migration.
Timing of Hummingbird Migration
Most hummingbirds migrate south in the fall to overwinter, though a few species are year-round residents in the southernmost states and California. Here are typical migration timeframes:
- Ruby-throated – August to October
- Rufous – July to September
- Allen’s – Late July to early September
- Calliope – Mid-August through late September
- Broad-tailed – Mid-August to early September
- Black-chinned – Mid-September to early October
- Anna’s – Late September to November
These patterns can vary slightly based on weather patterns, food availability, and geographical factors. Mid to late summer is the peak for western species while early fall is most common back east. Paying attention to activity at your feeders can help pinpoint local timetables. Disappearance of most adults indicates migration is underway.
Recommendations for Stopping Feeding by Region
Deciding when to stop feeding hummingbirds depends primarily on your location. Here are best practice recommendations:
Southern States
Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and southern California have mild enough winters that some hummingbird species remain year-round. Continue feeding them through fall and winter months. Clean feeders weekly and refresh nectar as needed to provide a constant food supply.
Midwest and Northeast States
Midwestern and northeastern states experience below freezing winter temperatures. Most hummingbirds that summer in these locations migrate south by late September or early to mid-October. Potential last feeding dates include:
- Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana – September 15-30
- Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia, Maryland – September 30 to October 15
- Minnesota, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey – September 30 to October 30
Monitor activity at your feeders to fine tune timing for your specific area. Stop feeding by these dates to encourage migration before cold weather sets in.
Western States
Hummingbird species west of the Rockies begin migrating earlier than eastern ones. Last feeding dates for states like Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico range from mid-August to early September. Target mid-August as a cut-off in the northern Rockies and September 1 for the Southwest.
Pacific Northwest
Anna’s and rufous hummingbirds summer in Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia before migrating south. Stop feeding by September 1 in British Columbia, September 15 for Washington, and October 1 in Oregon as a general rule.
Weaning Hummingbirds Off Feeders
Rather than stopping food completely on a set date, gradually wean hummingbirds off feeders to ease the transition. Here are tips:
- Early weaning – Begin eliminating one feeding per day in early fall.
- Reduce feeders – Cut back to one or two feeders rather than all.
- Don’t refill – Allow remaining nectar to run out.
- Remove feeders – Once consistently empty for several days.
- Leave some flowers – Native plants can provide small backup food sources.
This gradual approach over two to four weeks gives hummingbirds time to adjust. They become more likely to leave while food remains elsewhere rather than clinging to your feeders.
What to Do If Hummingbirds Are Still Around
Stragglers may linger beyond normal departure dates. If hummingbirds remain two or more weeks past your target end date, take these steps:
- Leave feeders down – Offer no food for five days so hunger motivates them to migrate.
- Rehang feeders – After five days, offer a single feeder of nectar. This gives fuel to start migrating.
- Remove again after one week – Do not let them become dependent through winter.
This tougher tactic employs hunger to stimulate their natural instinct to migrate before cold weather begins. With no feeders, hummingbirds realize it is time to move on.
The Dangers of Feeding Too Long
While enjoying hummingbirds, people must be careful not to delay migration which puts the birds at risk. Potential dangers include:
- Cold exposure – Lingering past first frost leads to possible hypothermia.
- No backups – Remaining flowers also die off removing alternate food sources.
- Increased predation – Longer stays increase exposure to predators.
- Lack of habitat – Failure to migrate means missing ideal overwintering habitat.
- Interrupted migration – Disrupts physical conditioning needed for long flight.
- Missed cues – Impairs ability to pick up on changing seasonal cues to migrate.
Feeding too long can be detrimental, so stopping nourishment on schedule is vital.
The Risks of Stopping Too Soon
On the other hand, ending feedings prematurely also poses risks including:
- Insufficient fuel – May lack energy stores needed for long distance flight.
- Low body weight – Higher mortality during migration when underweight.
- Fatigue and exhaustion – Unable to complete trip without adequate fuel reserves..
- Difficulty competing – At overwintering sites with other energetic hummingbirds.
- Starvation – Unable to find adequate food if migrating or arriving late.
Ideally, stop feeding 1-2 weeks before typical migration dates for your areas based on species and weather patterns. This allows ample time for fat building without delaying departure.
Providing Alternate Food Before Migration
In addition to feeders, provide natural food sources to help animals prepare for migration. Here are options:
- Native wildflowers – Plant species that bloom late summer through fall.
- Nectar plants – Milkweed, bee balm, coral honeysuckle, trumpet vine.
- Flowering shrubs – Butterfly bush, abelia, roses, lilacs.
- Late-blooming trees – Linden, willow, and ash trees.
- Clover and mint – Can furnish supplemental nectar.
- Fruit bushes – Elderberry and spicebush.
These give hummingbirds additional calories along with needed micronutrients not found in pure sucrose nectar.
Conclusion
By understanding hummingbird feeding and migration, people can help provide the fuel these tiny travelers need for their incredible journey. Target the recommended two week windows by region, then gradually wean birds off feeders while providing alternative blooms. With effort and planning, you can assist hummingbirds to build needed reserves and embark on migration before weather turns cold and food disappears. This ensures these dazzling pollinators and aerialists return year after year to delight us with their beauty.
