Hummingbirds Migrating South,
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No matter the species, or where they are coming from, migrating South takes a lot of energy and the higher solution is actually close to what nature offers and the extra boost helps them gain the needed weight.
Hummers must double their weight before heading out and higher solutions can only help.
It's also a plus if an early frost or cold snap kills off the nectar producing flowers.
Yes, keep fresh feeders out for birds migrating South.
In fact, if the feeders or flowers are gone in the fall when they pass through, they have no reason to stop by next time around and wont.
They aren't holding a grudge, it is energy efficient not to stop where there is no food source.
Yes feeding hummers does have some long term responsibilities, but the rewards go without saying and I know you are up to the task.
Southern areas may want to add a few more feeders to help the transients migrating south as they funnel in.
Hummingbirds gorge themselves and often look quite pregnant.
Before migrating South, hummers must double their body weight before they take off.
Instead of being able to mail 10 hummers with one postage stamp, (U.S.)you can only mail 5 of them now.
Don't worry about your feeders keeping the little guys from heading out.
Migrating South is dictated by length of day and other factors.
Cool weather may call for an early exit and warmer days may bless you with an extended visit, but you can be sure they will leave.
Yes, the time clock ticks and says when it is time to go.
Immature hummers are the last to leave, (still new to everything).
Hummingbirds do not flock, they take off on their own and arrive on their own.
They do not hitch rides on geese or other birds as the old wives tale mentions.
When migrating South, geese and hummers fly at different times, different heights and to different locations.
Again, it is one of those stories that adds some pizzazz.
Keep your feeders out a couple of weeks after you've seen your last bird.
Sometimes there is a late passer migrating south (usually a juvenile) and your feeder may be a life saver.
There is no race against the clock this time. Migrating South is at a leisurely pace.
Hummers and other birds make sure the trip South offers plenty of food and rest time.
The trip North is totally hormone related and often causes problems and death when cold weather keeps food supplies down.
Barring a natural disaster,
nectar producing flowers are plentiful, tiny insects are everywhere and we offer our feeders to assist
the hummers migrating South.
Hummers will often stay at a given spot for more than a week to rest and fuel up.
With few natural predators, the average life span of a hummingbird is 3 to 5 years. Though records have shown up to 10 years.
It is a fact, more hummingbirds die of starvation during migration than any other cause of death.
Your feeders help build up reserves that enable hummers to fly longer distances and feed less.
This is where a higher dose of nectar comes into play.
Without these reserves, a hummingbird would need to stop and eat every 15 minutes or starve to death.
They remember your feeders from previous trips north and migrating south so keep them clean and filled.
Ruby-throats can migrate more than 2,000 miles one way and indeed, some make the non stop trip of 500 miles across the Gulf of Mexico.
Can you imagine how many wing beats that must be?
Like most hummingbirds from The United States and Canada, they find themselves funneling into Texas While many of the Western Hummers funnel into West Texas and Arizona.
Picture a V or a funnel and that is what you have with hummingbirds as they move into these locations to gorge.
You may want to add more feeders this time of year to assist the birds as there is less and less provided by nature due to man's destruction and development.
Hummers don't migrate in massive flocks like many birds, but they will congrigate before they begin to cross the border for winter.
Most hummingbirds don't like each other very much,(especially Ruby-throats) but they will tolorate one another when there isn't a territory or food source to protect.
This allows for more multiple hummer sightings at a single feeder.
There are accounts and records from citizens that report hundreds of hummers and several different species at one time.
If you live in Texas or plan on visiting, look into the hummingbird roundups that take place every fall.
Some Rufus hummingbirds migrate 5,000 miles, from Alaska to Mexico and some end up in Florida and along the Atlantic coast.
There are some regions of the United States temperate enough to provide flowers and insects year round.
Heading South is an option, not a requirement in these locations
Along the Pacific Coast, Anna's hummingbird will spend the winter.
In southwestern states, along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, more hummers are calling these regions home during the winter.
A prime example is this.............
Once called vagrants, more and more Rufous hummers are heading east for winter.
Several Ruby-throats are staying closer to home.
Heading South may be Florida, not Mexico.
It isn't known for sure if it is the warmer winters or the increasing loss of habitat in Mexico and Central America.
Either or, treasure the treasures.
Hummingbirds can also adapt to food shortages and colder temperatures for short periods of time.
By lowering their body temperatures and metabolic functions, they enter a state of torper in which they appear dead.
Body temperatures drop from a normal 105 degrees to around 65 degrees. Breathing and heart beats are irregular and as low as 30 to 50 times a minute.
Arousal from torper requires 30 minutes or more until body temperatures and functions return to normal.
That is one serious snooze alarm.
Hummingbirds truly are amazing creatures.
Armed with Nature's best "GPS", heading North or South is never an issue for hummingbirds.
September 24 is the average last day for me to see hummers, but there have been years when I have had them into the second week of October when the weather has remained warm and frost hasn't killed off nectar producing plants and insects.
By now they have doubled in weight and my increased nectar has helped some.
Are they non stop at my feeders?
No way.
But It helps them to add the weight required to make the long flight.
Were these northern birds or my hummers that hung around to enjoy things a bit longer?
Hard to say without tags and records.
Very few studies have been done on Hummingbirds migrating South, like there is for the trip North.
In part, the main attraction is the trip North. Add to that the irregular stops etc. and few researchers have the desire and money to track hummers heading South.
As more universities and individuals do research and studies, we will continue to learn about this tiny wonder of the avian world.
Their marvelous adaptations enable them to live an extraordinary and extreme life able to return to the Exact same yard and feeder next spring.
By offering a high source of nectar, I am assured they will return next year.
Be prepared!
Is it a wonder that we stop to watch and admire these magnificent jewels of the gardens?
Yes, we will miss our flying jewels when they leave, but think what we have to look forward to next spring.
Migration North
Mating and nesting
Feeding tips
Make your own nectar
Hummingbird flowers
Hummingbird gardens
Container gardens for hummers
What's in a brain
Hummingbird feeders
feeder placement
Migrating south is only one stage of a hummers life. Click here to learn more.
Misters offer water for migrating hummers
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