Hummingbird Spring Migration News

Hummingbirds

Here They Come!
March 3, 2017 by Mary Hosier

Migrating Ruby-throats and Rufous are arriving. Watch as Gulf winds shift from north to south bringing pulses of birds across from Mexico.

Hummingbird Migration
"First Rufous was single male on February 13th. There are at least three here now,"
reported Jim Vandegriff in Trinidad, California.

Excitement abounds as the first of the fresh migrant hummingbirds arrive! Ruby-throats have been reported along the Gulf coast in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. Rufous hummingbirds have been sighted along the Pacific coast north to Washington.

Winds and Migration
Tailwinds were favorable for bringing birds across the Gulf early in the week. Watch for fallout as today's colliding north winds stop them at the coast.

Males Arrive First
Most first sightings of hummingbirds are males. They must find and defend their territory to lure in females who arrive a couple of weeks after them.

"First male sighted at feeder."
Chiefland, Florida on February 25.

"We saw our first male hummingbird today."
Houma, Louisiana on February 28.

Rufous
Watch for Rufous along the Pacific coast and into Canada.

"Rufous sitting on the branch of a flowering tree. His chest feathers shone a brilliant red in the sunshine."
Santa Monica, California on February 22.

"Female Rufous, attempting to avoid Anna's hummingbirds and get some feeder-time."
Bellingham, Washington on February 27.

Western Species

"Let it snow! Anna's hummingbirds have been hanging out in the garden all winter long and a little spring snow is not going to discourage them."
Bellingham, Washington on March 1..

Shifting Winds

Fresh Rufous Migrant

"Two for one sale."

Rufous Hummingbird Spring Migration
Temperature, Patterns, and Timing

The Rufous begins migration from the wintering grounds as early as January. Traveling along the Pacific Coast, they reach the northernmost point of the breeding range in Alaska by mid-May.

Coastal Route The Rufous begins migration from the wintering grounds as early as January. Traveling along the Pacific Coast, they reach the northernmost point of the breeding range in Alaska by mid-May.

By March 20th, Rufous Hummingbirds are already entering Canada. At the same time, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are in the southern United States, along the Gulf Coast. Measuring by latitude, the Rufous is 1,000 miles farther north than the Ruby-throat on the first day of spring. How can such similar birds have such different migration patterns?

First Day of Spring By March 20th, Rufous Hummingbirds are already entering Canada. At the same time, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are in the southern United States, along the Gulf Coast. Measuring by latitude, the Rufous is 1,000 miles farther north than the Ruby-throat on the first day of spring. How can such similar birds have such different migration patterns?

Rufous Hummingbirds are well adapted to cold temperatures. This allows them to migrate into areas where night time temperatures in early spring may drop below freezing. They can survive sudden cold and snows typical in springtime. Rufous Hummingbirds routinely go into torpor at night, probably because it may freeze at night even in July in their nesting grounds in Canada and Alaska.

Adapted for Cold Rufous Hummingbirds are well adapted to cold temperatures. This allows them to migrate into areas where night time temperatures in early spring may drop below freezing. They can survive sudden cold and snows typical in springtime. Rufous Hummingbirds routinely go into torpor at night, probably because it may freeze at night even in July in their nesting grounds in Canada and Alaska.

Rufous travel with warm temperatures along the Pacific coast from Mexico to Alaska. Cold temperatures in eastern North America prevent Ruby-throats from moving as far north as early as Rufous.

Spring Temperatures Rufous travel with warm temperatures along the Pacific coast from Mexico to Alaska. Cold temperatures in eastern North America prevent Ruby-throats from moving as far north as early as Rufous.

By early April, an interesting pattern emerges on the map. As temperatures warm inland, the migration expands eastward — away from the coast — toward the Rocky Mountains. Throughout migration, the Rufous Hummingbird migrates into areas where warm temperatures have produced the spring flowers and other foods it needs.

Moving Inland By early April, an interesting pattern emerges on the map. As temperatures warm inland, the migration expands eastward — away from the coast — toward the Rocky Mountains. Throughout migration, the Rufous Hummingbird migrates into areas where warm temperatures have produced the spring flowers and other foods it needs.

How will this spring's temperatures affect the timing and patterns of hummingbird migration? Report your observations.Track the migration.

Track and Predict How will this spring's temperatures affect the timing and patterns of hummingbird migration? Report your observations. Track the migration.

Companion Resources

Driving Questions

How do spring temperatures affect the timing and patterns of hummingbird migration?

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

* Early Ruby-throat migration maps include sightings forwarded to us by Lanny Chambers of Hummingbirds.net. This sighting collaboration helps to make our maps more complete during the early phase.