Hummingbird Migration

Hummingbirds live for the most part in Mexico and Central America in order to take advantage of the warmer weather and plenty full food sources. They will leave Mexico and Central America in late winter-early spring to head north, where there is less competition for food, as they spread out to spend the summer on their breeding grounds in the United States and Canada. They have the capability to fly over 1000 miles non-stop.

Studies have shown that hummingbirds can remember migration routes and every flower they’ve ever visited. Males will usually migrate first, followed by the females about 10 to 14 days later. They will double their body mass in weight to “fuel-up” for the long journey.

During the summer months, hummingbirds will enjoy the weather in all different parts of the United States. Around the end of August and September, they start to move south, looking for slightly warmer temperatures as well as abundant food sources. However, not all hummingbirds migrate each year. Some will spend the winter along the western coast of North America.