Quick Answers
Hummingbirds have an amazing ability to sense changes in barometric pressure that signal an approaching storm. When a hurricane is nearing, hummingbirds will either fly away from its path or find safe shelter to ride it out. Migrating hummingbirds will depart earlier to avoid hurricanes. Non-migratory hummingbirds will seek dense trees, thickets, or other sturdy shelter. They enter a hibernation-like state to conserve their energy during the storm.
Hummingbirds are some of the smallest birds found in North America, but they are also some of the toughest. These tiny dynamos have adapted to survive all kinds of weather extremes throughout their range, from hot deserts to freezing mountains. Hummingbirds have even found ways to thrive in the hurricane-prone regions of the United States Gulf Coast. Every year, hummingbirds along the Gulf mustdeal with severe tropical storms and hurricanes from June to November. These diminutive birds manage to survive the high winds, intense rain, and lack of food these massive storms bring. This raises an interesting question – where exactly do hummingbirds go when hurricanesapproach?
Hummingbird Migration and Hurricanes
To understand where hummingbirds go during hurricanes, it helps to know a little bit about their yearly migration cycle. Not all hummingbirds migrate. Some species, like Anna’s and Rufous Hummingbirds, take up year-round residency in their breeding range. However, most hummingbirds that nest in the Gulf region migrate south every fall to spend the winter in Mexico, CentralAmerica, and the Caribbean. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are the most common summer visitors along the Gulf Coast. They breed in the region but migrate south to areas like Costa Rica and Panama for the winter. The timing of the fall Ruby-throated Hummingbird migration depends on a number of factors, but typically occurs between mid-August and early October.
Tropical storms and hurricanes generally form in the late summer to fall, which overlaps with the hummingbird migration season. Research shows that hummingbirds can detect approaching storms well before humans are aware of them. Hummingbirds likely sense dropping barometric pressure, increasing winds, and other weather changes. If a hurricane is forming or headed toward their nesting grounds, hummingbirds will alter their migration schedule accordingly. They will evacuate their breeding territories earlier to avoid the approaching hurricane. By leaving sooner, hummingbirds can migrate out of the storm’s path and onto their wintering grounds in Central America or the Caribbean rather than getting caughtin the hurricane.
Early Evacuation of Ruby-throats from the Gulf Coast
There are numerous reports of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds disappearing from Gulf Coast feeding stations 1 to 2 weeks before a hurricane makes landfall. Scientists believe the dramatic drop in Ruby-throat numbers indicates the birds are evacuating ahead of approaching storms. By fleeing early, the hummingbirds avoid both the hurricane’s high winds and torrential rains. Hurricanes can blow hummingbirds hundreds of miles off course if they get trapped in the storm. The torrential rains also shut down nectar sources like flowers and force hummingbirds to consume more energy reserves just to survive. Migrating before a hurricane hits lets hummingbirds bypass these risks altogether. It allows them to easily continue their migration down to Central America and safely reach their winter habitat.
Hurricane Evacuation Distance
When hurricanes approach, how far away do hummingbirds migrate to find safety? Unfortunately, there is limited research on hurricane evacuation distances for hummingbirds. However, some banding studies provide clues that Ruby-throated Hummingbirds may travel hundreds of miles inland to escape major storms. Scientists estimate Ruby-throats migrate around 18 to 20 miles per day on average during fall migration. But they are capable of traveling up to 360 miles nonstop across the Gulf of Mexico. This indicates hummingbirds can cover far greater distances in a short time by burning more energy reserves in an emergency evacuation scenario like a hurricane.
Anecdotal sightings also suggest that many hummingbirds flee a minimum of 100 miles or more from the Gulf Coast ahead of hurricanes. The key is putting enough distance between themselves and the hurricane’s path so its high winds and rains will not affect them. Scientists believe hummingbirds have an innate ability to determine exactly how far they need to evacuate when a major storm is coming based on their perception of weather changes.
Hummingbirds That Don’t Migrate
Not all hummingbirds vacate their Gulf Coast breeding grounds ahead of big storms. Some are year-round residents that don’t migrate at all. What do these hummingbirds do when hurricanes strike? Non-migratory hummingbird species like Anna’s, Buff-bellied, and Rufous Hummingbirds ride out hurricanes along the Gulf Coast. They seek whatever sturdy shelter they can find rather than trying to outrun the approaching storm.
Anna’s Hummingbirds
Anna’s Hummingbirds nest along the Gulf Coast from Louisiana to Florida. But rather than migrating in fall, these hummingbirds are year-round residents in this region. When hurricanes come ashore, Anna’s Hummingbirds bunker down and shelter in place. They move to dense, protected forests or thickets that provide cover from the storm’s fierce winds and rain. Anna’s Hummingbirds will hide deep in trees, shrubs, or other sturdy vegetation as the hurricane passes through.
Rufous Hummingbirds
Rufous Hummingbirds also live year-round along the northern Gulf Coast. While some Rufous Hummingbirds migrate between Mexico and the Pacific Northwest, others take up permanent residence from Louisiana to Florida. These non-migratory Rufous Hummingbirds similarly seek heavy vegetation to ride out Gulf hurricanes. They move to sheltered woods away from the most intense hurricane winds and rainfall.
Buff-bellied Hummingbirds
A few Buff-bellied Hummingbirds now stay year-round along the Gulf rather than migrating to Mexico. They breed in Texas and Louisiana and have adapted to survive the region’s hurricanes and tropical storms. When storms approach, Buff-bellied Hummingbirds find dense trees and shrubs for protectionthe same way other regional hummingbird species do.
How Do Hummingbirds Survive Hurricanes?
Hummingbirds are incredibly resilient when it comes to surviving hurricanes. Here are some key adaptations that help hummingbirds endure major storms:
Energy Conservation
Hummingbirds can enter a hibernation-like, energy-saving state when necessary, such as during a severe storm. Their metabolism and heart rate slow dramatically so their energy needs are minimal. This allows hummingbirds to ride out a hurricane for days expending as little energy as possible until it passes.
Wind Resistance
Hummingbirds’ small size and lightweight bodies make them less susceptible to being buffeted by high winds. They can cling to branches and foliage without being blown around as much as larger birds. Their gripped feet also lock them onto perches.
Rain Resilience
Hummingbirds’ fluffy feathers and fast shaking allow rain to sheet off their bodies rapidly. This keeps their plumage fairly dry even during downpours so they don’t get waterlogged.
Insect Feeding
Hummingbirds can live off insects as well as nectar. If flowers are not available during a hurricane, hummingbirds will glean small insects and spiders kicked up by the storm for needed calories.
Hazards for Hummingbirds in Hurricanes
Despite their adaptations, hummingbirds do face substantial dangers when hurricanes hit:
Strong Winds
Powerful winds pose a major threat to hummingbirds during hurricanes. The birds can still get swept off course or dashed against objects even when seeking shelter.
Torrential Rains
Heavy rains from hurricanes can soak hummingbirds’ feathers and lead to hypothermia if they cannot adequately dry off. Rains also knock flowers down and hinder nectar access.
Lack of Food
Hummingbirds burn huge amounts of calories to survive. When flowers and feeders are unavailable due to storms, hummingbirds can quickly weaken and starve.
Providing Hummingbird Support During Hurricanes
Here are some key steps people can take to help hummingbirds both before and after hurricanes:
Pre-Hurricane Planning
- Provide ample feeders and food leading up to storm season – this helps hummingbirds fuel up.
- Have sturdy feeders on hand that can withstand winds.
- Don’t wait until a hurricane warning to put feeders out – hummingbirds may have already evacuated.
- Identify protected areas hummingbirds can shelter in like thickets.
Post-Hurricane Efforts
- Put feeders back up as soon as possible after a hurricane passes.
- Leave damaged plant stems and flowers up since they may still hold nectar.
- Plant native trees, shrubs, and flowers to replenish food sources.
- Be patient – hummingbirds displaced by a hurricane may take time to return.
Summary
Hummingbirds have developed remarkable adaptations to survive the high winds, intense rain, lack of food, and other threats hurricanes pose. Migrating hummingbirds like Ruby-throated Hummingbirds evacuate well ahead of approaching storms by altering their migration schedule. Species like Anna’s, Rufous, and Buff-bellied Hummingbirds that reside along the Gulf year-round ride out hurricanes by seeking shelter in dense, protected vegetation. While some hummingbirds inevitably perish during major hurricanes, their lightweight size, hibernation ability, insect diet, and other behaviors help them endure even Category 4 and 5 storms. By providing adequate pre-hurricane and post-hurricane support, people can further help hummingbirds persist even in the most hurricane-prone regions along the Gulf Coast.
