In this blog post, we will delve into the topic of where hummingbirds go during the winter months and the reasons behind their migration to warmer climates. We will explore the various migration routes of common hummingbird species, the factors that drive their seasonal movements, and ways in which you can support hummingbirds that stay behind or pass through your area.
Key Takeaways:
- Most hummingbirds migrate south to Mexico, Central America, and northern South America during the winter months when food becomes scarce in their breeding grounds farther north.
- Some hummingbird species, such as Anna’s hummingbirds, may overwinter along the Pacific Coast or in the Desert Southwest, where flowering plants continue to bloom.
- Hummingbirds migrate in order to follow food sources and escape colder temperatures. Their internal migration clock is triggered by decreasing daylight.
- You can help wintering or migrating hummingbirds by keeping feeders clean, filled, and unfrozen. Planting winter-blooming flowers also provides essential food sources.
Why Do Hummingbirds Migrate in the Winter?
Hummingbirds migrate primarily due to the lack of flowering plants and cold temperatures. As the days shorten in late summer, flowers begin to fade and insect populations decline across much of North America. This decrease in available food sources triggers a hormonal shift in hummingbirds, initiating their migration to warmer regions.
Additionally, hummingbirds would struggle to survive freezing temperatures or snowstorms. They travel to areas with milder climates and more abundant flowers and insects.
Common Hummingbird Migration Routes
Different hummingbird species follow distinct migration pathways based on their breeding and wintering grounds. Let’s take a look at the migration routes and winter destinations of some well-known North American hummingbirds.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird: These hummingbirds breed in Eastern North America and Canada, then migrate south through Florida or across the Gulf of Mexico to Mexico, Central America, and Panama. Some may even winter as far south as Costa Rica or Venezuela.
Rufous Hummingbird: This species breeds in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, then migrates through California and the Desert Southwest to winter in Mexico. Some Rufous hummingbirds now overwinter in Gulf Coast states where feeders provide a consistent food source.
Allen’s and Anna’s Hummingbirds: While most Allen’s hummingbirds migrate south through California and Mexico, Anna’s hummingbirds are year-round residents along the Pacific Coast. Some Anna’s hummingbirds also overwinter in areas like Texas and Louisiana, where feeders allow them to persist farther north than they otherwise could. Both species breed in California and the Southwest.
Black-chinned Hummingbird: Black-chinned hummingbirds breed across the Western United States and then migrate to Mexico for the winter months. With the increasing availability of feeders, a few Black-chinned hummingbirds attempt to overwinter along the Gulf Coast instead of migrating farther south.
Calliope Hummingbird: This is the smallest North American hummingbird species, breeding inland through the Northwest and Rocky Mountains. They migrate south to winter in Mexico.
The winter movements of each species vary based on their breeding range and tolerance for different temperatures. Ongoing banding studies provide more insights into the timing and pathways of hummingbird migration.
What Happens to Hummingbirds That Don’t Migrate?
While most hummingbirds migrate south to escape freezing weather and scarce food in their northern breeding grounds, more individuals now overwinter farther north than previously recorded. What allows some hummingbirds to survive cold snaps when most migrate south?
These hardy birds enter a state called torpor to conserve energy during frigid nights. Their metabolic rate slows down significantly, reducing their energy use. They rely on stored fat to provide enough warmth to survive.
During the day, non-migrating hummingbirds depend on winter-blooming flower gardens and feeders provided by people. Access to regular high-energy nectar and sugar water helps them conserve their fat reserves.
This supplemental food and their ability to minimize energy use through torpor enable some Anna’s, Rufous, Black-chinned, and other hummingbirds to endure much colder winters than in the past.
How to Help Hummingbirds in Winter
You can support wintering hummingbirds or migrants passing through your area with a few simple actions:
- Leave Feeders Up: Continue filling clean feeders with fresh nectar (1 part sugar to 4 parts water) so any hummingbirds still around or migrating through have a reliable energy source. Take down empty feeders by early March to avoid delaying the return of birds that rely on natural flower nectar.
- Provide Shelter: Hummingbirds appreciate protected perches out of the wind and cold rain, where they can conserve energy. Place feeders under eaves or porches and provide dense evergreen trees or shrubs for overnight roosting spots.
- Plant Winter Flowers: Grow nectar-rich plants that bloom during winter, such as coral honeysuckle, red buckeye, pineapple sage, winter jasmine, and camellias. Avoid using pesticides, as hummingbirds also eat small insects.
- Report Banded Birds: If you spot a hummingbird with bands on its legs, note the codes and report it to www.reportband.gov. Tracking banded birds provides valuable data on migration timing and survival rates.
With these small actions, you can make a significant difference for hummingbirds overwintering in your area or passing through on their remarkable migrations between summer breeding and warm wintering grounds.
Final Thoughts
During their fall and spring migrations, hummingbirds rely on networks of habitat corridors and food sources to fuel their incredible journeys. As winter approaches, most of them head south to warmer climates with blooming flowers and abundant insects.
However, thanks to winter-blooming gardens and feeders provided by people, more hummingbirds now overwinter farther north than ever before.
If you live in an area with winter hummingbirds, you can support these tiny travelers by providing nectar, shelter, and reporting banded birds. With our help, these aerial jewels can continue to brighten even the dreariest winter days.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Where Do Hummingbirds Go in the Winter?
Q: What triggers the winter migration of North American hummingbirds?
A: North American hummingbirds begin their winter migration in response to decreasing food supplies, particularly nectar from flowering plants and insects. Shorter daylight hours and dropping temperatures also signal the start of their migratory journey.
Q: Where do most hummingbirds go in the winter for warmer climates?
A: Most hummingbirds migrate to warmer climates in southern Mexico and Central America for the winter. This migration allows them to access abundant food sources and favorable weather conditions.
Q: Can you name some common species of hummingbirds that migrate?
A: Common migratory hummingbird species include the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, and Calliope Hummingbird.
Q: What is the winter migration route for Ruby-throated Hummingbirds?
A: Ruby-throated Hummingbirds typically migrate from the eastern half of the United States and Canada, across the Gulf of Mexico, to winter in Central America.
Q: How do Anna’s Hummingbirds adapt to winter in the U.S.?
A: Anna’s Hummingbirds, unlike many other species, are more tolerant of cold weather and often stay along the Pacific Coast all year, including states like California and Washington. They adapt by finding local food sources and shelter.
Q: What unique challenge do hummingbirds face when crossing the Gulf of Mexico?
A: When crossing the Gulf of Mexico, hummingbirds undertake a non-stop 500-mile flight, which is one of the longest migratory journeys relative to their size. They rely on favorable winds and must build up significant fat reserves to fuel this arduous journey.
Q: How can backyard feeders help hummingbirds in winter?
A: Keeping your feeder filled with a sugar-water mixture (1 part sugar to 4 parts water) can provide a crucial food source for hummingbirds that remain in or pass through colder areas during winter migration.
Q: Do all North American hummingbirds fly south for the winter?
A: Not all North American hummingbirds migrate south. Species like Anna’s Hummingbird may remain in milder climates along the Pacific Coast or try to winter in the Desert Southwest.
Q: What adaptations help hummingbirds survive cold temperatures?
A: Hummingbirds can enter a state of torpor, significantly slowing their metabolism to conserve energy during cold nights. This adaptation is vital for those staying farther north in winter.
Q: How do hummingbird feeders impact the migration patterns of hummingbirds?
A: Hummingbird feeders can influence migration patterns by providing additional food sources, encouraging some species to extend their stay in areas they might otherwise leave. This is particularly true for species like the Rufous and Black-chinned Hummingbirds along the Gulf Coast.
Q: Are there specific types of plants that attract hummingbirds in winter?
A: Yes, planting nectar-rich flowering plants like coral honeysuckle, red buckeye, and camellias can attract and support hummingbirds in winter, especially in milder climates.
Q: How do hummingbirds navigate during their migration?
A: Hummingbirds rely on a combination of innate instincts, the position of the sun, and Earth’s magnetic field to navigate during their migration between breeding and wintering grounds.
Q: What role does the American Bird Conservancy play in hummingbird conservation?
A: The American Bird Conservancy undertakes various conservation initiatives to protect hummingbirds and their habitats, including promoting bird-friendly gardens and supporting research on migratory patterns.
Q: Can hummingbirds be found in urban areas during winter?
A: Yes, hummingbirds can be found in urban areas during winter, especially where backyard hummingbird feeders and winter-blooming gardens are maintained, providing essential food sources.
Q: What is the significance of banding studies in understanding hummingbird migration?
A: Banding studies are crucial for tracking the migration, breeding, and survival of hummingbirds. They provide valuable data on migratory routes, timing, and how changes in climate and habitat affect hummingbirds.
Q: How do hummingbirds fuel their long migratory journeys?
A: Hummingbirds fuel their migratory journeys by consuming large amounts of nectar and insects. They build up fat reserves, which provide energy for long flights, especially when crossing large bodies of water like the Gulf of Mexico.
Q: What challenges do hummingbirds face in their wintering grounds in Central America?
A: In their wintering grounds in Central America, hummingbirds face challenges such as habitat loss, competition for food sources, and changing climate conditions that can affect the availability of nectar and insects.
Q: How does climate change impact hummingbird migration?
A: Climate change can alter the timing and availability of food sources along migratory routes, potentially disrupting the traditional migration timing and pathways of hummingbirds.
Q: What is the breeding season for North American hummingbirds, and how does it relate to migration?
A: The breeding season for North American hummingbirds typically starts in late spring and lasts through summer. The end of the breeding season is one of the triggers for the start of their migration to wintering grounds.
Q: How can individuals participate in projects like Project FeederWatch to help hummingbirds?
A: Individuals can participate in citizen science projects like Project FeederWatch by counting and reporting hummingbirds and other birds at their feeders, providing valuable data for ornithological research and conservation efforts.