Many hummingbirds that stay behind in the fall are either birds that are too old or sick to make another trip, or young ones not ready to make long flights, according to hummigbird expert Lanny Chambers. As you can see from winter sighting reports, these birds tend to wander slowly southward as far as they can go—in the east, that means the Gulf coast, where most non-migrating Ruby-throated hummingbirds spend the winter.
"Adult male rubythroat, and juvenile male or female rubythroat have been here since early November." Boca Raton, Florida 02/12/15
Jay Lee
