Hummingbirds most frequently migrate south in the late summer and early fall, but there are over three thousand hummingbird species, and not all species follow this pattern.
WHAT TRIGGERS HUMMINGBIRDS TO MIGRATE SOUTH?
Many people think that it is colder temperatures that push birds to begin migrating. Hummingbirds determine when to migrate based on how many hours of daylight there are. So, the shortened daylight hours in late summer and early fall drive many hummingbird species to head south.
Different hummingbird species have different patterns of preparing for migration and going through the migration process. Some species leave earlier in the season than other species, others take longer to migrate, and many species take different migration routes.
HOW DOES DAYLIGHT TRIGGER MIGRATION?
You may have heard about humans having a circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythm is the rhythm of different functions in the body. This rhythm is controlled by hormones that get triggered by external environmental cues like daylight.
The same mechanism of action applies to the hummingbird’s drive to migrate. As daylight hours shorten, the body is triggered to migrate southward.
WHY DO HUMMINGBIRDS MIGRATE SOUTH?
Hummingbirds head south to search for food sources that are less available in northern climates in the winter months. For hummingbirds, this means insects and flowers.
WHERE DO HUMMINGBIRDS GO WHEN THEY MIGRATE SOUTH?
When hummingbirds migrate southward, they go down to Mexico and Central America where climates are warmer, and flowers are still in bloom.
HOW FAR DO HUMMINGBIRDS TRAVEL WHEN THEY MIGRATE?
Hummingbirds travel around four thousand miles each time that they migrate! Some birds can travel as much as twenty-three miles in one day which is pretty impressive for such a small bird!
Even more impressive is the five hundred mile journey that some hummingbirds make from Florida to the Yucatan. These birds fly this journey nonstop for between eighteen and twenty-two hours at a time. This flight time is influenced by wind speed and direction.
DO HUMMINGBIRDS FLY HIGH WHEN THEY MIGRATE?
No. When hummingbirds migrate, they fly at lower altitudes, this allows them to spot food resources so that they can stop and “refuel.” Since hummingbirds are so small and need so much energy, they must stop frequently to eat along their journey, and this would not be possible if they flew at higher altitudes.
HOW MUCH DO HUMMINGBIRDS EAT DURING MIGRATION?
Hummingbirds eat 3.14 to 7.6 calories a day. If a hummingbird were a human, this means that they would need to take in155,000 calories per day to maintain normal bodily functions.
Before migration starts, a hummingbird’s daily calorie requirement increases. By packing on the weight, these tiny birds can migrate and some species can migrate without stopping!
DO HUMMINGBIRDS MIGRATE DURING THE DAY OR AT NIGHT?
Hummingbirds are diurnal, this means that they are active during the day and not at night, so they migrate during daylight hours. An added benefit to migrating during the daytime is that flowers are open, so food is readily available. If hummingbirds migrated at night, there would not be enough food available to fuel them for their journey!
DO HUMMINGBIRDS MIGRATE IN FLOCKS?
No. Although sometimes a hummingbird will migrate with a mixed flock of birds, they are solitary migrators.
Solitary migration gives the hummingbird the advantage of being able to claim the “best territory” when they arrive at their destination. The best territory would be the area with the most abundant food resources.
When it is time for migration, individual hummingbirds follow their instincts. Researchers have found that each hummingbird follows a similar migration path to its ancestors. Even birds that are taking the journey for the first time instinctively know where to go and what path to follow and they wind up following the same pattern as their ancestors.
DO HUMMINGBIRDS TAKE BREAKS DURING MIGRATION?
Yes! Hummingbirds may take breaks that last for a few minutes or a few days! The length of a “layover” depends on the availability of food in the layover location. If food is plentiful, hummingbirds stay for longer periods.
IS THERE A PATTERN IN HUMMINGBIRD MIGRATION?
When hummingbirds migrate, the path of their migration almost always plots in a circular or oval shape.
WHEN DO HUMMINGBIRDS RETURN NORTH?
Hummingbirds begin their journey north in the late winter months or early spring. Although southern climates are warmer, the birds migrate northward again because food sources are more abundant. In more tropical climates, there is simply too much competition for food.
WHERE DO HUMMINGBIRDS GO WHEN THEY GO NORTH?
When hummingbirds return northward, they return to breeding grounds in Canada and the United States. Often the hummingbird’s pattern of migration can be tracked according to the schedule of different flowers blooming.
Researchers have found that hummingbirds tend to return to the very same areas every year, so it is possible that the hummingbirds at your feeder this year are the same ones from last year!
HOW DOES THE HUMMINGBIRD KNOW WHICH WAY TO FLY?
Hummingbirds, like many other animals, navigate using the Earth’s magnetic field and the position of the sun in the sky. The sun serves as a compass and as it changes positions in the sky, the birds use it to stay on course guided by the Earth’s magnetic field.
Researchers also believe that birds may rely on the recognition of certain landmarks to find their way during migration!
WHAT HUMMINGBIRD SPECIES DON’T MIGRATE?
Anna’s Hummingbird is native to the western United States and is the only hummingbird species known not to migrate. These hummingbirds do not stay in one place year-round, though, they will move up and down the coast depending on the available food.
References
https://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/bwdsite/learn/hummingbirds/hummingbird-migration-know-go.php
https://journeynorth.org/tm/humm/facts_ecology.html
Amhil Khan, a dedicated nature enthusiast and the founder of BirdsOfTheWild.com, is a passionate advocate for the captivating world of avian wonders. With a deep-seated curiosity about the intricate lives of birds, Amhil’s journey began as a fascination and has evolved into a mission to inspire others to appreciate and protect these magnificent creatures.
Amhil’s love for birds led to the creation of Birds of the Wild, a platform where his expertise in ornithology, coupled with his captivating storytelling, provides readers with an immersive and educational experience. Through his lens and words, he captures the essence of birds in their natural habitats, offering a glimpse into their behaviors, migrations, and the ecosystems they inhabit.