It’s truly remarkable to consider how a creature as tiny and delicate as a hummingbird, weighing barely more than a few pennies, can undertake incredible migrations across vast distances. Humans have even created myths to explain this phenomenon, such as the amusing idea that hummingbirds hitch rides on Canada Geese. Another early belief from northern Mexico suggested they simply dried up on tree branches like cocoons until spring rains revived them.
However, the reality is far more fascinating. The majority of the roughly 15 hummingbird species that breed in the United States engage in grueling north-south migrations each winter, mirroring the journeys of much larger birds. While the myths are charming, the actual migration of a hummingbird is an awe-inspiring feat of nature. These tiny birds prepare for their epic journeys by doubling their body weight. They possess the stamina to fly hundreds of miles in a single day without pausing for rest or food. Remarkably, without parental guidance on the route, they instinctively follow the same migratory paths with astonishing accuracy, with banded hummingbirds often returning to the same gardens year after year.
Yet, not all hummingbirds embark on southward journeys as winter approaches. Among those that do migrate, their travels can range from monumental expeditions to relatively short hops. Let’s delve into the diverse winter destinations of different hummingbird species and discover where they go to escape the cold – or why some choose to stay.
The Epic Journeys of Long-Distance Migrants
When winter descends, a significant portion of hummingbird species engage in what ornithologist Sheri Williamson, author of A Field Guide to Hummingbirds of North America, describes as a “complete get out of Dodge” strategy. These long-haul migrants undertake journeys spanning hundreds, even thousands, of miles. They depart from their breeding grounds in the northern United States and Canada, heading south towards Mexico and even Central America. Here, they join numerous other hummingbird species that are year-round residents. Scientists estimate this entire migration can take approximately two to three weeks, contingent on the number of stops they make to refuel along the way.
Two species, in particular, stand out for their exceptional long-distance migrations. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird, the only hummingbird species breeding east of the Mississippi River, largely follows the Gulf Coast southward through Texas for its winter migration. However, each year, a portion of these birds undertakes a remarkable 500-mile non-stop flight directly across the Gulf of Mexico. Jason Courter, an avian biologist at Malone University, recounts anecdotal stories of these birds landing on boats mid-Gulf. Tragically, some are even reported to perish within sight of the shore, having exhausted their energy reserves just before reaching land.
Then there is the Rufous Hummingbird. Breeding from the Pacific Northwest through Western Canada and into Alaska, the northernmost Rufous populations embark on an astonishing journey of roughly 3,900 miles from their Alaskan nesting grounds to their winter homes in Mexico. Considering the Rufous Hummingbird is barely over three inches in length, this migration distance is equivalent to over 78 million body lengths. This incredible feat ranks it among the longest migrations of any bird in the world relative to body size, dwarfing even the Arctic Tern’s 11,000-mile migration, which equates to a mere 51 million body lengths relative to its 13-inch size.
Short Hops to Warmer Climates
In contrast to these marathon migrants, some hummingbird species in the Southwest adopt a more localized approach to wintering. Species like the Violet-crowned Hummingbird and Rivoli’s Hummingbird undertake much shorter migrations, moving from the southern United States to slightly warmer regions of Mexico. However, recent research indicates a changing trend: increasing numbers of hummingbirds are choosing to spend the winter within the United States. This shift is likely linked to rising temperatures causing some species’ ranges to expand northward, according to Courter.
Even within a single species, wintering destinations can vary. For example, while the Broad-billed Hummingbird typically migrates from Arizona to Mexico, a small segment of the population remains within their Arizona breeding range throughout the winter, as Williamson notes. Similarly, Costa’s Hummingbirds found in parts of southern California, Nevada, and Arizona travel short distances to join year-round populations in neighboring areas of California, Arizona, and northern Mexico. The Allen’s Hummingbird, primarily residing along the California coast, also exhibits diverse migration patterns. While most Allen’s Hummingbirds migrate south from California to southern Mexico for the winter, a specific sub-species in south-central California chooses to remain in place during the cooler months.
Year-Round Residents: Embracing the Winter
One hummingbird species in the U.S. truly bucks the migratory trend and becomes a year-round resident: the Anna’s Hummingbird. Historically, in the early 1900s, Anna’s Hummingbirds were confined to Mexico and southern California, regions characterized by hot, dry, and less favorable summers. This environmental pressure led to their evolutionary adaptation of breeding during the milder winter months.
Williamson describes Anna’s Hummingbirds as “weird,” noting that “They break a lot of rules that we have established in our minds” about hummingbird behavior.
As non-native flowering trees became more prevalent along the West Coast, Anna’s Hummingbirds expanded their range, following the nectar sources northward into British Columbia and even Alaska, establishing year-round residency. Their larger body size compared to other North American hummingbirds contributes to their greater cold tolerance and overall adaptability. Williamson marvels at their success, stating, “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.”
While most Anna’s Hummingbirds remain in their expanded territories year-round, some engage in smaller-scale migrations. To seek warmer conditions, they may move south vertically, descending to lower elevations. Furthermore, for decades, populations in southern California have been observed migrating to Arizona to nest during both spring and winter. However, fundamentally, the Anna’s Hummingbird is a species that not only endures winter but thrives in it, showcasing remarkable adaptability and resilience in the face of cold temperatures.
