It’s truly astonishing to consider how a creature as tiny as a hummingbird, weighing barely more than a few pennies, can undertake a migration across vast distances. This incredible feat has captivated humans for centuries, leading to fascinating, if untrue, myths. One such myth humorously suggests hummingbirds hitch rides on the wings of Canada Geese. Another, from early Mexican cultures, imagined them shrinking and hanging from trees like cocoons throughout the winter, magically revived by spring rains.
The reality is far more impressive. The majority of the roughly 15 hummingbird species breeding in the United States embark on rigorous north-south migrations each winter, mirroring the journeys of much larger birds. While the myths are charming, the actual migration of a hummingbird is a testament to their resilience. These tiny birds prepare for their long flights by doubling their body weight. They are capable of flying hundreds of miles in a single day, tirelessly pushing onward without stopping to rest or refuel. Remarkably, despite being first-time travelers without parental guidance, they navigate with incredible precision, often returning to the same backyard feeders year after year, as evidenced by banded hummingbirds.
However, hummingbird migration isn’t a uniform, southward exodus for all. Some species don’t migrate at all, and even among those that do, migration distances vary dramatically. Let’s explore the diverse winter destinations of these dazzling birds and discover where hummingbirds go to escape the cold.
The Long-Haulers: Epic Journeys South
When winter’s chill sets in, a significant number of hummingbird species undertake remarkable long-distance migrations. As Sheri Williamson, a respected ornithologist and author of A Field Guide to Hummingbirds of North America, explains, these species “completely get out of Dodge,” leaving their breeding grounds in the northern United States and Canada. Their journeys take them hundreds, sometimes thousands, of miles south to Mexico and even Central America, regions that host a rich diversity of year-round hummingbird species. Scientists estimate these extensive migrations can take two to three weeks, varying based on the number of stops the birds make to refuel along the way, according to Country Living.
Two species stand out for their extraordinary migratory achievements: the Ruby-throated Hummingbird and the Rufous Hummingbird.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds: Crossing the Gulf
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird, the only hummingbird species that breeds east of the Mississippi River, is a champion long-distance migrant. Most Ruby-throats undertake a southward trek along the Gulf Coast, navigating through Texas. However, a subset of these birds undertakes a much more daring feat: a non-stop 500-mile flight across the Gulf of Mexico. This trans-Gulf migration is fraught with peril. Jason Courter, an avian biologist at Malone University, notes anecdotal accounts of hummingbirds landing exhausted on boats mid-Gulf. Tragically, some are even reported to perish within sight of land, having depleted their energy reserves just short of the shore. This highlights the immense energy expenditure and risks associated with such a long, open-water crossing.
Rufous Hummingbirds: A Marathon Migration
The Rufous Hummingbird claims the title for one of the most impressive migrations relative to body size in the avian world. Breeding as far north as Alaska and Western Canada, the northernmost Rufous populations travel an astounding 3,900 miles to reach their wintering grounds in Mexico. Considering their tiny size, just over three inches long, this distance is equivalent to over 78 million body lengths, as All About Birds points out. To put this in perspective, the Arctic Tern, a much larger bird at 13 inches, migrates over 11,000 miles, but this is only about 51 million body lengths. The Rufous Hummingbird’s migration is a true marathon, showcasing incredible endurance and navigational prowess.
Short-Distance Travelers: Seeking Sunnier Spots
Not all hummingbirds embark on epic journeys. Several species, particularly in the Southwest, are short-distance migrants. Hummingbirds like the Violet-crowned Hummingbird and Rivoli’s Hummingbird travel relatively short distances, moving from the southern United States to slightly warmer regions of Mexico. Interestingly, recent research suggests a growing trend of hummingbirds overwintering within the United States. According to Courter, this shift is likely linked to rising temperatures, causing some species’ ranges to expand northward, as detailed in a study published in The Auk journal (https://academic.oup.com/auk/article/130/1/107/5148872).
Migration patterns can even vary within a single species. For example, Broad-billed Hummingbirds typically migrate from Arizona to Mexico, according to Williamson. However, a small percentage of the population remains within their Arizona breeding range year-round. Similarly, Costa’s Hummingbirds found in parts of southern California, Nevada, and Arizona undertake short migrations to join resident populations in nearby areas of California, Arizona, and northern Mexico. Allen’s Hummingbirds, primarily found along the California coast, mostly migrate south to southern Mexico for the winter. However, a specific subspecies in south-central California bucks the trend and remains in place throughout the cooler months.
The Year-Round Exception: Anna’s Hummingbird
One U.S. hummingbird species defies the typical migration narrative entirely: the Anna’s Hummingbird. This species is a true year-round resident. Historically, in the early 1900s, Anna’s Hummingbirds were limited to Mexico and Southern California, regions with hot, dry summers. This environment led them to evolve a unique breeding cycle in the milder winter months.
Williamson describes Anna’s Hummingbirds as “weird” because “They break a lot of rules that we have established in our minds.” As exotic flowering trees became more widespread along the West Coast, Anna’s Hummingbirds expanded their range northward, following the nectar sources all the way to British Columbia and even Alaska. Here, they have established themselves as year-round residents. Their larger body size compared to other North American hummingbirds contributes to their cold tolerance, but their adaptability is also key to their success in these unexpected northern locations. “They’re managing to survive and prosper up there, at least in a limited fashion, in an area where we wouldn’t have imagined any hummingbird could survive,” Williamson remarks.
While Anna’s Hummingbirds are primarily non-migratory, some populations exhibit localized movements. They may move southward vertically, descending to lower elevations to find warmer temperatures. Additionally, for decades, populations in Southern California have been observed migrating to Arizona to nest during both spring and winter. However, for the most part, the Anna’s Hummingbird is a remarkable exception, not just enduring winter, but thriving in it.
In conclusion, the winter migration of hummingbirds is a complex and fascinating phenomenon. From epic trans-Gulf flights to short hops across state lines, and even year-round residency in surprisingly cold climates, hummingbirds display a remarkable diversity of strategies to survive and thrive. Their tiny size belies their incredible resilience and adaptability, making them truly awe-inspiring creatures.
