Hummingbirds are incredible little birds that seem to defy physics with their ability to hover and fly backwards. They are also known for their speed, beating their wings up to 80 times per second! But as fascinating as hummingbirds are, they sometimes seem to vanish without a trace for days at a time. Where do they go and why do they disappear periodically?
Where Do Hummingbirds Go When They Disappear?
There are a few main reasons why hummingbirds may temporarily disappear from your feeders or garden:
- Migration – Hummingbirds migrate long distances between their breeding grounds in the summer and their wintering grounds. During migration they may stop at various resting spots, making them absent for a few days. Migration usually occurs in spring and fall.
- Nesting – Female hummingbirds build tiny nests out of plant down, spider webs and lichens. They may spend several days gathering materials and constructing their nests in secluded areas away from feeders.
- Bad weather – Hummingbirds are small and have high metabolisms, so they try to avoid bad weather. During periods of heavy rain, high winds or extreme heat or cold, hummingbirds may hunker down in protected areas and not come out to feeders as frequently.
- Competition – If a more dominant hummingbird takes over a feeder, subordinate birds may avoid that area for a while until the aggressor leaves.
Do Hummingbirds Abandon Their Territory When They Disappear?
In most cases, no – hummingbirds do not permanently abandon their established territories when they briefly disappear. Here’s why:
- Males establish breeding territories in the spring and aggressively defend them from other males. They will leave temporarily to chase intruders but eventually return.
- Females also establish feeding territories, although they are not as aggressively defended. Females may briefly leave to build nests or care for young.
- Juveniles wander more widely but will eventually establish their own territory.
- During migration, hummingbirds have an internal map and memory that leads them back to the same breeding sites each year.
So even if a hummingbird vanishes for a week or two, chances are good it will reestablish its home range once conditions improve or it completes migrating, nesting or wandering.
How Long Do Hummingbird Absences Usually Last?
The duration of hummingbird absences depends on the cause:
- Migration: Can last a week or more as the birds travel hundreds of miles.
- Nesting: Females may be gone up to 2 weeks during nest construction and egg incubation.
- Bad weather: A few days until the weather clears.
- Competition: Up to a few days until the aggressor bird leaves.
If hummers disappear for more than 2 weeks during the breeding season, it likely means they migrated early or experienced predation. But absences of a week or two are normal and expected from time to time.
Do Hummingbirds Get Enough Food When They Disappear?
Hummingbirds need a lot of food due to their supercharged metabolisms. But they are resourceful and have adaptations to survive short-term absences from feeders:
- They get most of their nutrition from natural nectar sources like flowers, not feeders. Feeders just supplement their diets.
- They eat many small meals, visiting hundreds of flowers per day. If one food source is unavailable, they simply move on to the next.
- They go into a hibernation-like state at night or bad weather, slowing their metabolism up to 50% to conserve energy.
- They store some fat reserves for extra energy.
- Males and females split duties – females continue foraging while males incubate eggs.
So even if feeders are not available for a few days, hummers are generally adept at finding alternate food sources in the wild.
Should You Worry When Hummingbirds Disappear?
In most cases, there is no need to worry if hummingbirds temporarily vanish. However, contact a wildlife rehabilitator if:
- All the hummingbirds suddenly disappear during the breeding season, especially if you find a dead hummer.
- One particular hummer who frequented your yard is suddenly gone for more than 2 weeks.
- You find fledglings on the ground and no adult females come to care for them after 1-2 days.
Otherwise, enjoy the break from refilling feeders frequently! The hummingbirds will likely reappear once they finish their seasonal activities.
How Can You Bring Back Missing Hummers?
To encourage hummingbirds to return sooner:
- Make sure feeders are clean, fresh, and full.
- Provide a water source like a mister or fountain for bathing.
- Supplement with more natural flowers they like.
- Avoid Using pesticides that may impact their food supply.
- Consider moving feeders closer to their preferred nesting or roosting areas.
With some patience and strategic feeding, you can entice hummingbirds back within a few days after a normal absence.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds temporarily disappearing from feeders or gardens is very common and not necessarily concerning in most cases. Typical absences last anywhere from a few days up to a couple of weeks as hummers migrate, nest, avoid bad weather, or react to competition. With adequate natural food supplies and fat reserves, hummingbirds are well-equipped to handle these periodic absences. While you may miss seeing them zip around, rest assured the hummingbirds are simply taking care of business and will likely return shortly to your feeders once conditions improve!
