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About Hummingbirds

Migratory hummingbirds are a fascinating group of birds known for their small size, brilliant colors, and long-distance journeys. Several species of migratory hummingbirds breed in North America and undertake remarkable migrations between their breeding and wintering grounds. Each species has unique characteristics and behaviors that make them an integral part of ecosystems throughout their range.

The Migration Study

Migration typically occurs twice a year, in spring and fall. During these periods, hummingbirds travel between their breeding grounds, where they nest and raise their young, and their wintering grounds, where they spend the non-breeding season. Migratory hummingbirds follow specific routes dictated by geographical features, food availability, and habitat suitability. Some species migrate along coastal routes, while others follow mountain ranges or cross vast expanses of open water. Migratory hummingbirds follow nectar blooms and insect populations along their migration routes. Migratory hummingbirds have evolved special physiological and behavioral adaptations for migration, such as increased fat storage for energy, efficient foraging techniques, and navigational skills. Migration distances vary among species. Some migratory hummingbirds travel thousands of miles between their breeding and wintering grounds. The primary purpose of migration is to ensure access to abundant food resources and suitable breeding habitats. Migration poses several challenges for hummingbirds, including finding suitable stopover sites for rest and refueling, navigating across long distances, and avoiding adverse weather conditions. Understanding the intricacies of migration in migratory hummingbirds is essential for conservation efforts and for appreciating the incredible journeys these tiny birds undertake each year.

About Ruby-throated

Hummingbirds

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) are long-distance migrants. They breed in North America, ranging from the Gulf Coast to southern Canada. In the fall, they migrate to Central America, primarily Mexico and other countries in Central America like Panama and Costa Rica. Their migration is remarkable because some individuals cross the Gulf of Mexico in a single flight, covering distances of up to 500 miles.

Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Identification Tips

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Male/Female

Male: Males have a distinctive iridescent ruby-red throat, which can appear dark under low light.

Female: Females lack the red throat and instead have a plain white or slightly streaked throat.

Tail, Beak, Talons/Feet

The tail is slightly forked with green and black coloration in males, and white-tipped outer tail feathers in females. This hummingbird’s beak is long, straight, and slender, perfect for accessing nectar deep within flowers. Feet are small, not used for perching for long periods but rather clinging shortly to flowers and feeders.

Coloration

Males: Brilliant green back, white underparts, and a striking red throat.

Females: Green back, white underparts, and a grayish-white throat.

Wings

Long, narrow, and pointed, their wings beat rapidly, allowing for agile flight and hovering capabilities.

Size and Shape

Small and delicate, about 3.5 inches long, with a wingspan of around 4.3 inches.

Habitat

During breeding, they are found in deciduous and mixed woodlands, orchards, and gardens. In winter, they inhabit tropical forests and scrublands.

Behavior

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are highly territorial, especially males, who aggressively defend feeding areas. They are also known for their incredible agility in flight.

Nesting Sites and Fledglings

Nests are typically built on slender, often downward-sloping branches, 10-20 feet above the ground. Females build the nests using plant down, spider silk, and lichen. Fledglings leave the nest about three weeks after hatching.

Longevity

The average lifespan is about 3-5 years, though some individuals have been known to live up to 9 years.

Interspecies Interactions

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds play a crucial role in pollination for many flowering plants. They also interact with insects, both as prey and as part of a shared ecosystem.

The Migration Study

Studying Ruby-throated Hummingbirds is crucial for several reasons. They are indicators of ecosystem health, pollinators for various plant species, and their migratory patterns can provide insights into climate change effects. Additionally, understanding their migration can help in conserving critical habitats along their routes.

Journey North volunteers

Report on the timing of arrival at their breeding grounds in the spring and departure during the fall migration
Monitor the timing and routes of spring and fall migration
Track the establishment and maintenance of breeding territories
Report on the foraging activities and shifts in diet throughout the year

With this volunteer-contributed data, researchers gain insights into the timing of annual life cycle events, location of migration routes, critical stopover locations, and natural resources requirements needed to sustain the migration.

Spring Migration: Spring migration begins as early as February, with birds arriving in the southern United States by March and reaching northern breeding grounds by May.
Breeding and Nesting: Breeding occurs from late May through July. Females are solely responsible for nest building, incubation, and feeding the young.
Nesting Habits: During the breeding season, they prefer open woodlands, forest edges, and gardens with abundant flowers. In their wintering grounds, they favor tropical forests and shrubby areas.
Fall Migration: Fall migration starts in August and peaks in September. By October, most have reached their wintering grounds in Central America.

Annual Cycle and Distribution

January: Basking in the Tropics: During January, the vast majority of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are on their wintering grounds in the Southern Hemisphere. They are getting fresh new feathers and molting, but they still need to visit hundreds of flowers every day. Hummingbirds burn energy so fast they often eat 1.5 to 3 times their body weight in food per day.
February: Growing Restless: By February, Ruby-throats get a little restless in response to hormonal changes that are triggered by the changing length of daylight. The first birds start migrating north at the end of February.
March: Heading North: In March, migration is underway. Hummingbirds can't afford to be in too much of a hurry when they return to their breeding range in spring. There has to be food all along the way due to their tiny size and high metabolism. Hummingbirds follow Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers north because those birds drill holes, called sapsucker wells, in trees each spring. These tiny birds cannot survive a day without food, so sap running from the holes is important for Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in early spring.
April: Full Speed Ahead - Peak Migration: In April, hummingbirds begin to arrive along the Gulf Coast. Males arrive first and establish a territory rich in flowers. They show off with flight displays, diving, dipping, and looping to attract a female to their territory. If she likes his display, she will mate with him. Breeding begins in the southern states where flowers are in bloom. The first egg can be laid as early as the second week of April.
May: Getting Down to Nesting: In May, hummingbirds are arriving in the northernmost parts of their vast breeding range. Females are building nests and laying eggs. Males are busy protecting the territory's food sources, chasing away competitors. He makes sure there will be enough food for his growing family.
June: Raising Babies: In June, a female hummingbird is busy in the nest. She does it all: lays eggs, incubates them, and broods the babies. The chicks grow inside the egg for 12-14 days before hatching. They are born naked and have their eyes closed until about 9 days of age. At 16 days, they are 8 times bigger than when they were born. Finally, they fly out of the nest at 21 or 22 days of age. A female may raise two or even three broods in a summer.
July: A Busy Time: July is busy on the breeding grounds. Females are feeding their growing babies. Until they fledge, they are completely dependent on their mothers for all their food. Later in July, the young have fledged and will follow their mothers to nearby feeders. Meanwhile, males are putting on fat. Fewer hours of sunlight trigger the urge to migrate as fall approaches. Some males leave as early as mid-July. By leaving first, males are ensuring more insects and nectar available for the babies.
August: August brings the biggest push south, and hummingbirds are gathering in huge numbers along the Gulf of Mexico. Males arrive there first, followed by females and juveniles. Despite this being their first migration, juveniles do not migrate with a parent. By late August, you may only see females and juveniles at your feeders.
September: Action Everywhere: In September, adults are still arriving at the Gulf Coast. Breeding activity may still be happening in Southern Ontario, where eggs may be laid until the first week of September. By mid-September, the hummingbirds you are seeing are likely migrants on the move, not your familiar summer residents. Keep your feeders up at least two weeks after you've seen your last hummingbird. Stragglers or young juveniles may need more time to grow before leaving.
October: Settling in the Tropics: In October, Ruby-throats are on their wintering grounds. The birds that traveled by land crossed 4 countries to get there — Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. All of the arrivals from the north now face more competition for food. The birds are molting and getting fresh new feathers. The juveniles are getting to know about life in the tropics. They must adjust to new dangers.
November: Changing the Feathers: In November on the wintering grounds, all Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are replacing their flight and body feathers, including wing feathers. They will need fresh ones before migrating north. Feathers are a bird's most important flight gear. The birds stop to preen several times a day. Preening helps keep the feathers clean and aligned, making the bird's wings more efficient and body aerodynamic.
December: Focusing on Food: Hummingbirds on the lush, tropical wintering grounds are focused on feeding and completing their molt. Growing new feathers uses lots of calories, and the tiny hummers need to bulk up again. Meanwhile, outliers are hummingbirds that decided to stay along the Gulf Coast each winter instead of continuing to Central America, and there are always a few hummers that stay up north. Another small population winters in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

About Rufous