One of the biggest joys of summer is watching wildlife come and go in your backyard. From sweet bunnies and foxes to curious deer and the occasional bear (don’t get too close to that one), spring and summer give many of us a front row seat to nature’s most adorable creatures.
If bird watching is a hobby of yours, you’re likely already anticipating the loss of some of your favorite winged visitors to the cold weather. Once temperatures drop in late fall, many birds head south for warmer skies, including a beloved summer staple: the hummingbird.
“There are more than 370 hummingbird species, distributed across North and South America, and about 16 of these can be found in the United States,” explains Anusha Shankar, an integrative biologist and physiological ecologist who researches hummingbirds. “On the East Coast, there’s only one regular: the ruby-throated hummingbird. It migrates up to the United States each summer from Mexico and Central America. On the West Coast, many migrate between the United States and Canada or Mexico and Central America, including the blue-throated mountain-gem, the black-throated hummingbird, and the Calliope hummingbird.”
Below, we’re detailing exactly when you can expect your backyard hummingbirds to bid you farewell for the season—and where they go when they leave.
Why Do Hummingbirds Migrate?
Like most other birds, a hummingbird’s migration is largely driven by changes in temperature. These shifts impact both their physical safety and their access to food sources. “Hummingbirds migrate to avoid cold and food scarcity,” says author, photographer, and ornithographer Dr. Julie Morley. “For example, the Ruby-throated and Rufous hummingbirds both migrate from North to South for winter in warmer regions before migrating back to cooler regions in the warmer months for breeding.”
Morley goes on to explain that, though most hummingbirds migrate, some do not follow this exact pattern. Some—like the Allen’s and Anna’s hummingbirds—are semi-migratory, traveling up and down the western coast of the United States. Others in Central and South America do not migrate at all. Over time, these birds have adapted to their “home” climate and are able to remain in place year-round.
When Do Hummingbirds Migrate?
Hummingbirds will start to seek out friendlier skies a bit earlier than some of their winged counterparts, who stick around longer into the fall and early winter to pick on berries and the last of the seasonal vegetation. According to migration maps, hummingbird populations hit their peak in the United States in late June through early August, and taper down significantly by the middle to end of September. “Individual hummingbirds often migrate between the same two places every year,” says Shankar. “We know this because researchers have put tiny numbered aluminum leg bands on them, and some individuals return year after year. But how long the process of migration takes depends on their start and end locations.”
How Long Does Hummingbird Migration Take?
Speaking of flight time, how long does it take these tiny-but-mighty birds to make their way to their winter destination of choice? Believe it or not, they’re just as fast as birds double their size. According to Morley, ruby-throated hummingbirds can travel as many as 1,200 miles in just a few weeks, often flying for 18-plus hours a day to reach their destination. They’ll have to stop to refuel along the way, which is why many experts recommend keeping up your hummingbird feeders (and avoid deadheading your plants) until mid-October, even if you no longer see them visiting your backyard.
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