Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures, known for their ability to hover in midair and fly backwards. Their rainbow of iridescent colors shimmers in the sunlight as they flit from flower to flower. Hummingbirds are found only in the Americas, with over 300 different species identified. While most hummingbirds live in tropical climates year-round, some species migrate to avoid harsh winters. Here we’ll explore where hummingbirds go when the weather turns cold and their incredible migration journeys.
Do all hummingbirds migrate?
No, not all hummingbird species migrate for the winter. Those that live in consistently warm climates like the tropics can find enough food sources year-round and don’t need to migrate. However, hummingbirds that breed during summer in temperate climates do migrate to warmer regions to avoid freezing temperatures and scarce food in winter. Some examples of migratory hummingbird species in North America include the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Allen’s Hummingbird, and Costa’s Hummingbird.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird migrates the farthest of any hummingbird species. It breeds during the summer across much of eastern North America but winters exclusively in southern Florida, coastal Mexico, and Central America. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are feisty creatures, aggressively defending their food sources.
Rufous Hummingbird
The Rufous Hummingbird has one of the longest migrations of any bird for its size, averaging 5,000 km roundtrip each year. It breeds in northwestern North America and winters in Mexico and the Gulf Coast of the United States. The males are known for their bright orange-red throats.
Allen’s Hummingbird
Allen’s Hummingbirds breed along the Pacific Coast from southern California to British Columbia. Most migrate south to winter in Mexico, though some may overwinter in California. The males are known for their flaming orange throat feathers.
Costa’s Hummingbird
Costa’s Hummingbirds breed in southwestern California and the Baja California peninsula. Most migrate south to winter in western Mexico, though some remain year-round in mild coastal areas. The males have a distinct purple throat patch.
When do hummingbirds migrate?
Most hummingbirds migrate in the spring and fall to reach their breeding and wintering grounds at optimal times when flowers are blooming and food is plentiful. Here are the typical migration periods:
- Spring migration generally takes place between February and May. The earliest arrivals are adult males seeking to secure the best breeding territories.
- Fall migration typically happens between August and November. Juveniles and adult females tend to migrate first, followed by adult males.
Some key factors that trigger hummingbird migration are the seasonal availability of flowers and insects, decreasing daylight hours in the fall, and changing weather patterns. Hummingbirds carefully time their migration to sync with bloom periods across different regions.
Do hummingbirds migrate at night?
Most hummingbirds migrate during the day and rest at night. Their tiny bodies have a huge metabolism and cannot store enough energy to fly for extended periods without stopping to refuel. However, nocturnal migration has been observed in some species using special techniques like radar tracking. It’s likely an adaptive strategy to take advantage of favorable winds and avoid predators.
How long does hummingbird migration take?
The total migration journey takes a few months for most species. Here are some examples of estimated travel times:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird – 45-60 days for a round trip between Canada and Central America
- Rufous Hummingbird – 2-3 months for a round trip between Alaska and Mexico
- Allen’s Hummingbird – About 45 days to migrate each way along the West Coast
Keep in mind these are general estimates. Exact migration timing and duration can vary by individual, weather, geographic barriers, and habitat conditions along the migration route.
What routes do hummingbirds take?
Hummingbirds follow major north-south migration flyways as they travel between their breeding and wintering grounds each year. Some key flyways in North America include:
- Atlantic Flyway – Along the Atlantic Coast and Appalachian Mountains
- Mississippi Flyway – Along the Mississippi River Valley
- Central Flyway – Between the Rocky Mountains and Mississippi River
- Pacific Flyway – Along the West Coast and Pacific Mountain ranges
Researchers can track migration routes by banding birds with tiny numbered tags and relying on recapture reports. Advances in technology like small GPS devices and stable isotope analysis also provide more detailed migration data.
How do hummingbirds navigate migration?
Hummingbirds have an incredible innate sense of direction and memory that guides their migration. Some of the mechanisms they use include:
- Mental map – Recognizing landmarks from previous journeys
- Compass sense – Detecting magnetic fields to determine direction
- Sun compass – Using daylight patterns to orient direction
- Celestial cues – Navigating by stars and constellations
Groundbreaking research has revealed hummingbirds can sense magnetic fields, using an internal compass to guide their migrations. Their tiny brains have specialized neurons tuned to detect the earth’s magnetic fields.
Where do hummingbirds spend the winter?
Most hummingbirds cannot survive freezing temperatures and inadequate food in northern areas during winter. So they migrate to warmer southern climates rich in flowers and insects. The most common wintering regions include:
- Southern Florida and Gulf Coast
- Southern Mexico and Central America
- Coastal California and the Baja Peninsula
- Tropical areas of South America
Some key wintering grounds popular with hummingbirds include organ pipe cactus forests in Arizona, pine oak forests in Guatemala, and dry tropical forests in Costa Rica. Even within their winter range, hummingbirds may make shorter altitudinal movements tracking flower blooms.
What do hummingbirds eat in winter?
Hummingbirds have a high metabolism and need copious energy from nectar, pollen, and small insects while overwintering. Some key food sources include:
- Flower nectar – Trumpet vine, lantana, fuchsia, and aloe provide abundant winter nectar.
- Insects – Gnats, fruit flies, tree sap, and tiny spiders offer essential protein.
- Sugar water feeders – Many people supplement with feeders, providing vital energy.
- Tree sap – Some hummingbirds sip oozing tree sap for nutrients.
In winter, flowering plants in tropical climates provide a crucial food source. Some species like the Rivoli’s Hummingbird depend on alpine flowers that continue blooming through winter.
Threats during migration
Hummingbirds face many hazards during their grueling migration journeys, including:
- Extreme weather – Storms, high winds, and precipitation can exhaust birds or blow them off course.
- Lack of food – Finding adequate nutrition at each stopover is critical to avoid starvation.
- Habitat loss – Human development eliminates crucial rest stops along the migration route.
- Buildings and windows – Hummingbirds can collide with human-made structures.
- Predators – Birds of prey, snakes, and house cats threaten hummingbirds.
These obstacles mean mortality rates are high for migrating hummingbirds. Expanding hummingbird gardens and reducing threats along migration flyways can help protect them.
Unusual migration discoveries
Scientists are constantly learning new things about the remarkable migration abilities of hummingbirds. Here are some interesting discoveries:
- Some hummingbirds migrate over the Gulf of Mexico in a nonstop, 500 mile journey.
- Juvenile hummingbirds migrate solo without guidance from adults.
- Hummingbirds appear capable of entering a deep torpor sleep mid-flight to conserve energy.
- Climate change is shifting migration timing and causing mismatches with flower blooming.
- Urban areas can serve as migratory stopover habitats when native plants are present.
New tracking technologies continue to reveal fascinating migration secrets. In one incredible case, a Rufous Hummingbird was recorded flying a whopping 23 hours nonstop!
How to help migrating hummingbirds
Here are some ways you can help support hummingbirds on their migratory journey:
- Plant native flowers and trees that bloom through the migration seasons.
- Put up sugar water feeders to provide additional energy.
- Avoid pesticides that reduce insect food sources.
- Keep cats indoors so they don’t prey on hummingbirds.
- Reduce collisions by placing decals on windows.
- Support conservation groups that protect migration stopover habitats.
Even simple steps like providing backyard feeding stations or leaving a few flowers untrimmed can make a difference for weary, migrating hummingbirds.
The incredible marathon migration
For their tiny size, hummingbirds are remarkably hardy birds capable of marathon migrations covering thousands of miles. Their seasonal journey is an epic round trip filled with peril, yet guided by innate navigational skills passed down over millennia. Understanding where hummingbirds go in winter and supporting their ambitious migration is key to protecting these captivating creatures for future generations.
