Spanning North America

Still Reports in Northern Regions

Journey North citizen scientists are still reporting hummingbirds throughout the Upper Midwest, Northeast, and southern Ontario and Nova Scotia, Canada. With temperatures falling and daylight shortening, reports in these regions should steadily drop over the next few weeks.

Marg in Queens, NS: “A tired, cold bird warming in the sun.” (10/06/2021)

Sara in Long Branch, NJ: “Saw a hummer at one of our feeders. She perched and had several long drinks, then took off into our perennials. 8:50 am, cloudy, 64F.” (10/06/2021)

Linda in Chatham-Kent, ON: “Our 2 hummers were still here all day today. The rain didn’t stop them from coming to the feeder. They were still here at dusk. Waystation #13039.” (10/10/2021)

Jane in Cambridge, WI: “One passing-through juvenile Ruby-throated Hummingbird returns for a second time today to nectar on sugar water at the feeder for several minutes in our backyard at 2:30 pm during a light misty rain. Overcast, 71 degrees, 13 mph. Very nice to see a hummer in the backyard after ours left on 9/28/21.” (10/10/2021)

More Activity Farther South

Feeding and migratory activity remain high along the Mississippi (Central) and Atlantic (Eastern) flyways and down through the Gulf Coast. This could be a big week for migration as the above-mentioned hummingbirds farther north make their way south.

Steven in Naples, FL: “First confirmed male ruby-throat of the fall migration season flying between the red fire spikes and the feeder here in Naples Park, Naples FL.” (10/03/2021)

Patsy in Moneta, VA: “WOW! We continue to have 2 or 3 hummers a day. This is unusual for us at this time of the year. This little boy sat on my rusty hummer and allowed me to take multiple pictures as I approached him. I didn’t know it was a juvenile male until he puffed up like this and showed his red!” (10/05/2021)

Larry in Nashville, TN: “Two Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, male and female, are finding nectar in our pollinator garden, which is in rapid decline in fall temperatures, and in a nectar feeder.” (10/06/2021)

Beverly in Houston, TX: “Very small adult ruby-throat male still shows up at feeder early in the morning. Flies up in oak tree rather slow after going to feeder and doesn’t go to blooming yellow Sophra in the same flower bed as feeder.” (10/11/2021)

Rita in Vienna, MO: “There has been 1 male hummingbird drinking for the last couple of weeks. Before that there was 2 or 3 hummingbirds around on plants and drinking.” (10/11/2021)

Moving Toward Mexico

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were already reported in Mexico in early September, and more are following suit as additional reports near the U.S.-Mexico border come in.

Suzanne in Edinburg, TX: “There are two male Ruby-throated hummingbirds feeding on the flowers and feeder the past two days.” (10/09/2021)

Out West

Anna’s Hummingbirds either don’t migrate or only migrate short distances, and they have the northernmost year-round range of any North American hummingbird. Journey North citizen scientists in parts of British Columbia, the Pacific Northwest, California, and parts of the Southwest may be lucky enough to observe this species all year long. 

Leslie in Carlton, OR: “This is fun photo of 3 Anna’s Hummingbirds looking skyward. Likely another hummer overhead. We have the Anna’s all year-round. What a pleasure!” (09/19/2021)

Mary Jo in Cape Spencer, AK: “Anna’s last seen a few days after domestic outside flowering plants were put away for the winter.” (10/06/2021)

 In California, Rufous Hummingbirds are battling over nectar sources en route to their wintering grounds. And in Colorado, juvenile Broad-tailed Hummingbirds are still hanging around.

Ryan in Moorpark, CA: “Numerous male Rufous Hummingbirds regularly feed (and fight over) the milkweed and various other flowers in my garden. Today I verified at least 5 unique individuals, but it’s likely there are more.” (09/30/2021)

Karen in Franktown, CO: “2 juvenile Broad-tailed Hummingbirds.” (10/04/2021)

Bird-Friendly Communities

Hummingbirds need a steady supply of food to fuel their flight during fall and spring migration. The Audubon’s Bird-friendly Communities initiative is all about creating healthy habitats for birds – including hummingbirds. 

And window collisions are one of the leading human causes of bird mortality, especially during migration when young birds are making the journey for the first time. Here are steps you can take to help reduce these collisions.

Keep Reporting and Keep Feeders Up

If you’re still observing hummingbird activity, keep reporting to Journey North! And remember to keep your feeders up at least a couple weeks after your last sighting – a straggler may yet come through!