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Overwintering Hummers
Sometimes ruby-throated hummingbirds that normally migrate south to Central America stay in the north over winter. Journey North maps show winter sightings of these birds. Our hummingbird expert, Lanny Chambers, suggests these birds are often either too old or sick to migrate, or they are young birds from late-season nests that are too young, or not fat enough to migrate.

This bird, identified as "most likely" a young male ruby-throat, has stuck around Robin Zenker's home in Tennessee since October.

male overwintering hummer
Photo: Robin Zenker