A Frosty January: Where are Hummingbirds Now?

Happy New Year

After taking a short hiatus from our news updates, we are back to sharing hummingbird news with you. Thank you for all how contribute to the Journey North Hummingbird Project.

Where are hummingbirds now? Your observational reports provide critical information about hummingbirds during the winter months. Please keep reporting your observations. We welcome sightings from Mexico and Central America and across the U.S. and Canada during these winter months of January and February.

January Hummingbird Happenings

Many Journey North volunteers are expressing concern for hummingbirds and survival during the recent cold weather.

Anna’s hummingbirds were observed in Washington State in the US. Rufous and Ruby-throated hummingbirds have been seen across the Gulf states and into North Carolina. 

On 01/01/2024, Mark in Naches, WA reported seeing “One adult Anna male at the heated feeder. We are near Cliffdell, WA in the eastern WA Cascade Mts. The Anna hummers seem to be in our area more and more during the wintertime. They are year-round now in Yakima, WA.” 

Clara in Angleton, TX wrote: “I am blessed with a female Rufous named Trudy and a male Rufous named Rudy. Rudy showed up on Christmas Day. Took me until today to figure out I had 2 of them! This is Trudy.” (01/07/2024)

On 01/16/2024, Beverly L in Houston, TX discussed the departure of a juvenile male Rufous spotted nectaring from ‘Rokin’ deep purple salvia on 01/06/2024. Beverly wrote: “I heard from my Audubon friend today; he still has 2 Rufous. He relayed that western species move around in winter…So that [might] explain why our young male Rufous took off last week…We had 16-degree weather….refilled feeders 3 times…I put 2 sugar water feeders back out when the sun hit their spot at 28 degrees….There are flocks of migrant American goldfinches doing a weather fallout with House finches coming to 7 songbird feeders two days now. They are thirsty with me constantly trying to keep the birdbath from freezing. I hope any early migrating hummingbirds hold off 1 more day. But it looks like from what songbirds are doing Ruby-throats may be early this year….”

Donna in Gause, TX: “It’s 12 degrees here this morning, and “Frosty”, the female Rufous is still alive. I have been changing out the feeder every hour or sooner for 3 days. Thanks to the two ladies who helped me find a heated feeder. I finally was able to contact the company that makes them and have 2 on their way to me. I plan to tell all my Master Naturalist friends about this product. Thank you for your help!” (01/16/2024)

On 12/03/2024, Alice in Newport, NC, noted a male Ruby-throated hummingbird at their feeder. Nights have been freezing in her region of NC. Alice noted that they have had overwintering hummingbirds before, but not usually a male. Then, on 01/17/2024, Alice reported seeing three overwintering hummingbirds. Temperatures have been below freezing at night.

Sophie in Kernersville, NC reported: “In this photo, someone has placed a strand of the old-fashioned Christmas lights into a platform feeder. As you can see, the hummingbird is happy to take advantage of her kindness and perch for some warmth. Hummingbirds are very hardy, yes, but when it gets brutally cold, they benefit from our assistance in helping them out.” (01/15/2024)

Not Seeing Hummingbirds?

If you don’t see any hummingbirds in your area, you can explore various Journey North hummingbird migration maps to learn where hummingbirds are being observed. You can also brush up on your hummingbird identification skills and explore information on hummingbird migration and annual cycles.