Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating birds found in Canada. Their small size, beautiful colors, and incredible flying abilities make them a joy to observe. However, as winter approaches each year, hummingbirds mysteriously disappear from Canada. Where exactly do these tiny birds go to escape the cold Canadian winters? Read on to find out!
Hummingbirds are migratory birds, which means they fly great distances between their breeding grounds in Canada and the United States to their wintering grounds in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Their migration is an incredible feat considering their tiny size. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird, one of the most common hummingbirds found in Canada, weighs only 2-6 grams but makes a 2,000 to 4,000 mile migratory journey each fall and spring.
Why Do Hummingbirds Migrate?
Hummingbirds migrate for a few key reasons:
Cold Temperatures
Hummingbirds have high metabolisms and struggle to survive in cold temperatures. Their high heart rate, fast breathing, and inability to store large amounts of body fat make them vulnerable when temperatures drop below freezing. Migrating south allows them to escape frigid northern winters.
Lack of Food
Hummingbirds rely heavily on nectar from flowers for their food. As flowers die off in the fall and nectar sources become scarce, hummingbirds are forced to migrate to warmer climates where they can find enough food to survive the winter. Places like Mexico and Central America provide them with abundant sources of nectar-rich tropical flowers all winter long.
Lack of Nesting Locations
Hummingbirds build nests in trees, shrubs, and on branches during the breeding season. As leaves fall off of trees in autumn, suitable nesting spots become limited. Migrating south provides access to ideal nesting grounds year-round.
What Route do Hummingbirds Take?
During both their spring and fall migrations, most hummingbirds follow established routes known as flyways. Three main flyways are used by hummingbirds migrating from Canada:
Atlantic Flyway
Hummingbirds that breed in eastern and central Canada generally migrate south down the Atlantic Flyway. Their route follows along the Atlantic coastline through areas like Georgia, Florida, and the Caribbean Islands before ending in Mexico, Central America, or northern South America.
Mississippi Flyway
Birds that breed across central Canada take the Mississippi Flyway south through the great river valleys of the Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, and Missouri rivers. Their migration path brings them through the southern United States Gulf Coast to Mexico and Panama.
Pacific Flyway
Western Canada’s breeding hummingbirds follow the Pacific Flyway along the Rocky Mountains to southwestern states like Arizona, New Mexico, and California before dispersing to wintering grounds from Mexico to northern South America.
What is Their Migration Like?
Hummingbird migration is an incredible feat of endurance for such tiny birds. Here are some key facts about their epic journey:
– Flying roughly 25-30 miles per hour, hummingbirds travel hundreds of miles in a single day during migration.
– Ruby-throated hummingbirds may fly nonstop 500 miles across the Gulf of Mexico as they migrate. This flight takes over 20 hours.
– Total migration distances average between 1,500 – 2,500 miles one-way for most hummingbirds.
– Hummingbirds double their body weight before migration, adding as much fat as possible to the tiny birds for energy.
– Unlike many species, hummingbirds migrate individually, not in flocks. They brave the journey solo.
– Migration happens during the day when flowers are available for quick fuel along the way.
– Males tend to migrate first in spring, followed by females and then juveniles. In fall, the migration order is reversed.
Major Wintering Destinations
The majority of Canada’s hummingbirds, including Ruby-throated, Rufous, Calliope, and Black-chinned hummingbirds, spend their winters in the following destinations:
Mexico
Southern Mexico is a top winter home for many hummingbird species. They are drawn by the abundant flowers and thick, tropical vegetation of places like southern Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Campeche, and the Yucatan Peninsula.
Central America
Hummingbirds fill the tropical forests of Central American countries during winter. Popular destinations include Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Belize.
Caribbean Islands
Islands throughout the Caribbean provide ideal habitat for overwintering hummingbirds. Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, and Antigua are just a few of the islands visited.
Northern South America
Some species, including the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, journey as far south as northern South America for the winter months. Venezuela, Colombia, and coastal Brazil attract hummingbirds escaping colder regions.
Unique Adaptations for Migration
Hummingbirds have several biological adaptations that allow them to complete their incredible migrations:
– Lightweight skeleton and small size helps minimize energy required for flight.
– Excellent flight maneuverability allows darting around obstacles and hover feeding.
– High metabolism powers energy for flight through rapid heartbeat and breathing.
– Ability to enter torpor, a deep sleep, helps conserve energy overnight.
– Long, specialized beak for accessing nectar at many bloom angles.
– Forked tail and streamlined wings provide aerodynamic movement.
– Specialized leg and wing muscles enable unique flight motions.
– Internal compass and ability to process the sun’s position keeps them on track.
Threats Faced During Migration
Despite being built for migration, hummingbirds face many threats during their long journeys:
– Lack of food sources along migration routes
– Inclement weather like storms, high winds, or cold snaps
– Collision hazards like buildings, cell towers, utility lines, or vehicles
– Habitat loss reducing shelter and refueling stops
– Predators including birds of prey, snakes, and cats
– Exhaustion and starvation from flying long distances
– Ocean crossings can lead to exhaustion or being blown off course
Interesting Migration Facts
Some fascinating facts about hummingbird migration include:
– Westward migration paths are slightly longer to take advantage of trade winds.
– Some juveniles get blown over 1,000 miles out to sea during first migration.
– Green darner dragonflies migrate with hummingbirds and feast on mosquitos.
– Molting happens on wintering grounds, not during exhausting migration.
– Similarity in northern breeding and southern habitat helps navigation.
– Light pollution can disorient migrating hummingbirds traveling at night.
Returning North in Spring
In late winter and early spring, hummingbirds begin the long migration back north to their breeding grounds in Canada and the U.S. Here’s an overview:
– Males start migrating as early as late January from Panama. Females follow 1-2 weeks later.
– Most birds follow the same flyways and stopover sites northbound as they do in fall.
– Food availability times their migration to match flower blooming at higher latitudes.
– ruby-throats arrive to the U.S. gulf coast between late February to mid-March.
– They reach their Canadian breeding range between mid-April to early May.
– Some fly nonstop 500-600 miles across the Gulf of Mexico again.
– Late cold snaps and storms are dangerous as birds rush to reach breeding grounds.
– Once back, males quickly establish nesting territories before females arrive.
How to Help Migrating Hummingbirds
Here are some tips to support migrating hummingbirds on their incredible journey:
– Maintain hummingbird feeders with fresh nectar through fall migration in late September and October. Avoid red dye.
– Plant native flowers and shrubs that bloom late into fall to provide food sources.
– Provide shelter such as trees or shrubs where hummers can rest and escape from predators.
– Turn off unnecessary lights at night during peak migration months.
– Report injured, sick, or downed hummers to wildlife rehabilitator for care.
– Volunteer with research and banding programs that study migration.
– Support parks, refuges, and green spaces that provide migration habitat.
– Avoid pesticide use which reduces insect food sources for fueling.
Conclusion
The migration of hummingbirds from Canada to their warmer winter homes in the south is truly one of nature’s most incredible phenomena. These tiny birds undertake a perilous journey of thousands of miles entirely on their own and face numerous threats along the way. However, their specialized adaptations allow most hummingbirds to successfully complete the round trip migration annually. Providing support through food, shelter, reduced hazards, and habitat conservation is key to ensuring these colorful, hovering birds return each spring to flutter amongst your flowers. Their epic migration is a reminder of the resilience and beauty of wild birds.
