Hummingbird Migration: Citizen Scientists Track Hummingbird Migration with Journey North

Hummingbirds

Waiting and Watching
February 24, 2017 By Mary Hosier

Migration is about to begin! Birds are fueling up and waiting for tailwinds to cross the Gulf of Mexico. When will the first arrive?

Male Ruby-throat
Spring migrant or overwintering Ruby-throat? Sometimes it's hard to tell.
By Kenneth Drake in Willis, Texas on February 20, 2017

Welcome to Spring Migration Season

Excitement is peaking in areas along the Gulf Coast where the first migrating hummingbirds will soon be arriving. Feeders have been filled for weeks. Observers are waiting for just the right winds to assist the Ruby-throats across the Gulf. A good, strong southern wind will bring them north.

Imagine the Journey
Hummingbirds are so small, Ruby-throats weigh between 2.5 and 4.5 grams. You could mail nine or ten with a single stamp, says hummingbird expert Laura Erickson! Each bird travels alone on migration. The journey across the Gulf takes about 18 hours if the weather is good. It could take 24 hours, or more, if weather is bad. Once they reach land it is essential that they find food and water.

Spring Migrant or Overwintering Hummer?
For those who have been seeing hummingbirds through the winter it can be difficult to identify a new migrant when it arrives. Hummingbird bander Nancy Newfield describes how she can tell if an early bird is a migrant.

"They are sparkling and bright. Wintering adult males are still molting. Their wing, tail, and contour feathers are quite dull by comparison to new arrivals."

Rufous Arrives
This week marks the first reported migrating Rufous hummingbird! Most Rufous that breed in Canada and the U.S. winter south of the US/Mexico border. However, more and more individual Rufous overwinter in the US.

Western Species Highlights
This month six different species of hummingbirds have been reported, some new arrivals and some overwintering. Anna's and Calliopes are being reported along the Pacific Coast, and wintering Rufous, Broad-tailed, Buff-bellied, and Broad-billed hummingbirds in Texas and Louisiana.

Watch the Winds

Migrants?
Lee Cain

Broad-tailed
Kenneth Drake

An Amazing Rubythroat Journey

Overwintering Ruby-throats begin moving north as early as January, and by the end of February they are at the northern coast of the Yucatan. Some hummers travel by land — skirting around the Gulf of Mexico and following the Texas Coast north. Others migrate over water — 500 miles across the Gulf.

By Land or By Sea? Overwintering Ruby-throats begin moving north as early as January, and by the end of February they are at the northern coast of the Yucatan. Some hummers travel by land — skirting around the Gulf of Mexico and following the Texas Coast north. Others migrate over water — 500 miles across the Gulf.

How do hummers fuel up for migration? They gorge on insects and spiders — almost doubling their weight in about a week. Layers of fat build up on the hummingbird's back, belly, and throat. A licensed bander gently blew on this hummer's feathers to see the white band of fat on its belly.

Fueling Up How do hummers fuel up for migration? They gorge on insects and spiders — almost doubling their weight in about a week. Layers of fat build up on the hummingbird's back, belly, and throat. A licensed bander gently blew on this hummer's feathers to see the white band of fat on its belly.

A hummer flaps its wings 75 times per second during flight. It can fly about 25 miles an hour — and even faster with tailwinds. Imagine the risks a tiny bird could encounter on its 500 mile trip across the Gulf of Mexico. What if fat reserves deplete before the tiny hummingbird reaches land 18-22 hours from the start?

Flight Risks A hummer flaps its wings 75 times per second during flight. It can fly about 25 miles an hour — and even faster with tailwinds. Imagine the risks a tiny bird could encounter on its 500 mile trip across the Gulf of Mexico. What if fat reserves deplete before the tiny hummingbird reaches land 18-22 hours from the start?

After doubling its weight, from about 3.25 grams to over 6 grams, a hummer may weigh only 2.5 grams when it reaches land. Finding abundant food and water sources is essential in the coastal habitats along the Gulf.

Reaching Land After doubling its weight, from about 3.25 grams to over 6 grams, a hummer may weigh only 2.5 grams when it reaches land. Finding abundant food and water sources is essential in the coastal habitats along the Gulf.

Hummers reach the coast in late February or early March. Males depart the Yucatan first, followed about 10 days later by the first females. The migration is spread over a three-month period, which prevents a catastrophic weather event from wiping out the population. Are spring habitats ready when the hummers arrive?

Arriving First Hummers reach the coast in late February or early March. Males depart the Yucatan first, followed about 10 days later by the first females. The migration is spread over a three-month period, which prevents a catastrophic weather event from wiping out the population. Are spring habitats ready when the hummers arrive?

Look at wind maps to predict which days hummers will cross the Gulf of Mexico, and then watch the Journey North map to see when and where sightings are reported from the Gulf States. Once in North America, migration proceeds at an average rate of about 20 miles per day. Hummingbirds generally follow the earliest blooming of flowers they prefer.

When Will Your Hummers Arrive? Look at wind maps to predict which days hummers will cross the Gulf of Mexico, and then watch the Journey North map to see when and where sightings are reported from the Gulf States. Once in North America, migration proceeds at an average rate of about 20 miles per day. Hummingbirds generally follow the earliest blooming of flowers they prefer.

Companion Resources

Driving Question

Where, when, and how do Ruby-throated Hummingbirds migrate in the spring?

Report Your Sightings


What to Report	Ruby-throated map \| animation \| sightings	Rufous map \| animation \| sightings

Other Species map \| animation \| sightings	Other Observations map \| list	Nectaring map \| list

Next Update March 3, 2017