Fat is Fuel
Bird scientists have calculated that the body fat hummers add through pre-migration feeding frenzies is enough to fuel nonstop flying nearly 600 miles for a typical hummingbird. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds that are believed to migrate from southern Florida to Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula (about 525 miles) could complete that distance without needing to re-fuel! That's good, since hummingbirds taking that route have no rest stops along the way.

"I had a bunch of hummingbirds show up and they were feeding like crazy. I had to add another feeder!"

Wendy P., Houston, Missouri (September 21, 2013)

Migrating Hummingbird
Photo: Jackie Irvine