Hummingbird Migration: Citizen Scientists Track Hummingbird Migration with Journey North

Hummingbirds

Steady Advance
March 24, 2017 By Mary Hosier

Migration continues for tiny hummingbirds. Track their progress as they search out the food they need along the way.

rufous in flight
The Rufous Hummingbird makes one of the longest migratory journeys of any hummingbird in the world. This male was
photographed by John Doerper in Bellingham, Washington on March 20th, the day he sighted his first female.

Blown North to Kansas
It's been an exciting week for Ruby-throat migration. These tiny travelers advanced over 300 miles with the help of southern winds. The northernmost Rubies have moved into Kansas!

"We saw our first hummingbird, a healthy, deep colored male hummer. There had been a strong southerly breeze all day."
Mary Ester, Florida on March 21st.

"Last night winds out of the south west..... I now have 2 male Ruby-throated hummingbirds..... Now waiting on the females"
Tallahassee, Florida on March 21st.

"Earliest hummingbird we've ever had. Welcome back, Miss Hummer, on the first day of spring!"
Grenada, Mississippi on March 20th.

Rufous
Rufous continue on their journey north through the sheltered Salish Sea between Vancover Island and Canadian mainland. They have also been reported moving eastward from the coast and up into the Cascade Mountains this week.

"Female Rufous arrived, surprisingly early given coldwinter. I'm at 1500' in the Cascades."
Randle, Washington on March 21st.

"First female Rufous was happily spotted on this first day of spring at the feeder. There's still only one male on site (arrived March 12th)."
Thetis Island, British Columbia on March 20th.

"We see the Rufous in the waterfall before we see them at the feeders. First female showed up today and had a quick bath."
Black Creek, British Columbia on March 18th. 49.86N

Western Species
Costa's hummingbirds are desert dwellers. They live in northwestern Mexico and southwest US.

Fueling Migration
How Hummingbirds Keep Their Engines Running

Nectar from Flowers Hummingbirds find fast fuel in flower nectar. The sweet fluid flows up their long, grooved tongues and into their mouths.

Your backyard feeders can also give hummingbirds a quick source of energy. Good thing, too, because they may need to "gas up" every 15 minutes throughout the day!

Nectar from Feeders Your backyard feeders can also give hummingbirds a quick source of energy. Good thing, too, because they may need to "gas up" every 15 minutes throughout the day!

Hummingbirds eat both plant and animal material. These tiny omnivores get protein and fat from insects and small spiders. The hummingbirds will need this slow-burning energy to fuel their long migrations.

More than Nectar Hummingbirds eat both plant and animal material. These tiny omnivores get protein and fat from insects and small spiders. The hummingbirds will need this slow-burning energy to fuel their long migrations.

When food sources are scarce hummingbirds get a little help from their friends. These savvy birds feed on the sweet sap from small holes drilled in trees by yellow-bellied sapsuckers. Hummers also dine on insects stuck in the sap.

Savvy Survivors When food sources are scarce hummingbirds get a little help from their friends. These savvy birds feed on the sweet sap from small holes drilled in trees by yellow-bellied sapsuckers. Hummers also dine on insects stuck in the sap.

At night, and when it is too cold or rainy to find food, hummingbirds go into a sleep-like state called torpor. The bird's body temperature to drop and their heart rate to slow down. This adaptation allows hummers to conserve energy.

Conserving Energy At night, and when it is too cold or rainy to find food, hummingbirds go into a sleep-like state called torpor. The bird's body temperature to drop and their heart rate to slow down. This adaptation allows hummers to conserve energy.

Take a look outside. Do you think your outdoor habitat is ready for hummingbirds? Identify places where hummers might find the food they need to keep their engines running.

Your Backyard Habitat Take a look outside. Do you think your outdoor habitat is ready for hummingbirds? Identify places where hummers might find the food they need to keep their engines running.

Companion Resources

Driving Question

How do hummingbirds get the energy they need for migration?

Report Your Sightings


What to Report	Ruby-throated map \| animation \| sightings	Rufous map \| animation \| sightings

Other Species map \| animation \| sightings	Other Observations map \| list	Nectaring map \| list

Next Update March 31, 2017