How do hummingbirds migrate south

Lasiewski conducted a study in , The energetics of migrating hummingbirds Condor As a result of his experiments with hovering hummingbirds in metabolic chambers, Lasiewski concluded that a male Ruby-throated hummingbird, weighing about 4. In a more recent study, Calder and Jones using arrival and departure masses and rates of gain from Rufous Hummingbird banding data, determined that a mile 1, km flight of a Rufous appears to have been possible.

Therefore, on its 2,mile journey from Mexico to Alaska, a Rufous Hummingbird will stop at least 4 times to refuel. Compared to other birds, the metabolic rates of hummingbirds are extremely high. For example, a 4-gram hummingbird has a basal metabolic rate of 1, calories per kilogram. Compare that to a gram mourning dove which has a rate of calories per kilogram. According to Bill Calder, a University of Arizona hummingbird expert, it takes about a week for a migrating hummingbird to replace the protein and fat metabolized on a completed flight segment.

So for the Rufous that makes at least 4 refueling stops from Mexico to Alaska, their journey may take anywhere from weeks. Refueling stops may even be longer than 2 weeks, depending on weather, headwinds, and nectar availability.

In temperate latitudes, this corresponds to the northern and southern springs when flowering plants begin to bloom. The rigors of hummingbird migration coupled with high metabolic rates requires these tiny birds to refuel often when traveling to their breeding grounds. So when they stumble upon your feeder along the way, it's like they've landed at the all-you-can-eat buffet, for free! In addition, nectar corridors, or migration routes abundant with flowering resources, are vital to hummingbird survival.

Habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation may affect hummingbirds nectar corridors due to loss of native flowering plants. The Migratory Pollinators Program explains this in more detail. Jouko Asked: What is the approximate total time spent in Spring migration by a ruby-throated hummingbird from Southern Mexico to Bruce Peninsula, Ontario?

Somewhere I read they spend one week before and after for fattening, to get in shape for long distance travel. Answer: Your question is a good one and will be difficult to answer. This is more than a just Master's degree question, this is a PhD project! What speed at which hummingbirds are capable of migrating and what they actually do is dependent upon many things.

Spring migration is triggered by hormonal changes triggered by increasing day length, but weather fronts have a big effect on their migration.

They may be capable of flying several hundred miles, but have to wait because of cold fronts, snow events and the progress of flowering plants and insects they need for food. No point in getting up north quickly only to die because of cold and lack of flowers. Yes, we have seen hummingbirds steal insect carcasses from spider webs. Yes, they eat lots of nectar for energy, but also must have protein.

Also, not all birds migrate the same distance or at the same time. On other species of banded birds, there seems to be a "hop-over" effect. Birds that breed in the southern U.

Black-chinned Hummingbird. During summer months, Black-chinned Hummingbirds occupy a large portion of the western United States. This is one of the most adaptable hummers found in the United States, occupying a wide range of habitats, including urban areas. After breeding, many adult birds will move toward higher elevations to feast on mountain flowers, before heading south in the fall. Most will travel to western Mexico, although some overwinter along the Gulf Coast.

Populations of Black-chinned Hummingbirds are on the rise, likely due to the popularity of backyard hummingbird feeders and this bird's tolerance for varied habitats. Allen's Hummingbird. Compared to the springtime departures of other North America-bound migrants, Allen's Hummingbirds gets the worm. Those that migrate depart their wintering grounds in early December, allowing them to arrive along the coasts of California and Oregon in January — just in time to enjoy the region's winter wildflowers.

During the breeding season, female and male Allen's Hummingbirds occupy different habitats: Males establish territories within areas of coastal shrub, while females move into forest to build nests. There are two subspecies of Allen's Hummingbird, each with its own wintering destination.

One group Selasphorus sasin sasin migrates to central Mexico. The other S. Although Allen's Hummingbird remains fairly common, its numbers have decreased by 83 percent in recent decades, according to Partners in Flight. If trends continue, Partners in Flight estimates that the bird's current population could be reduced by half in less than 20 years.

Anna's Hummingbird. Photo by Johanna van de Woestijne. In contrast to most North American hummingbirds, Anna's Hummingbirds do not migrate, although they will sometimes move short distances to search for additional food sources. Anna's Hummingbirds now occupy an area of habitat stretching from northern Mexico to Southern Canada, but this wasn't always the case: During the first part of the 20th century, the bird's breeding range was much smaller, restricted to Baja, Mexico, and southern California.

This changed with introduction of exotic flowering trees along the West Coast, which provided additional nectar supplies and nesting opportunities. Anna's Hummingbird populations are also growing thanks to the popularity of backyard hummingbird feeders. Although backyard feeders and garden plants have helped some hummingbird species to thrive, these birds are not free of threats.

Like most land birds, hummingbirds are vulnerable to habitat loss throughout their range. ABC staffs, supports, and partners with a number of Migratory Bird Joint Ventures in the United States that conserve and manage more than 6 million acres of habitat for birds. In Latin America and the Caribbean, we have worked with conservation partners to protect more than 1 million acres for hummingbirds, other bird species, and wildlife. Learn more about ABC's conservation efforts in the U.

Act by December 31! Donate Now. Toggle navigation. Birds Priority Birds. Anna's hummingbirds have the northernmost year-round range of any hummingbird. During cold temperatures, Anna's hummingbirds gradually gain weight during the day as they convert sugar to fat. In addition, hummingbirds with inadequate stores of body fat or insufficient plumage are able to survive periods of sub-freezing weather by lowering their metabolic rate and entering a state of torpor.

Broad-tailed hummingbirds migrate north in the spring leaving behind the non-migrant populations in central Mexico. After breeding, Broad-tailed Hummingbirds start their south-bound fall migration into their winter range in the highlands of Mexico south to Guatemala. Calliope Hummingbirds primarily breed at high elevations in the mountains of northwestern United States and Canada into Alaska. During spring and summer they travel through Arizona and New Mexico and northern Mexico, to winter in southwestern Mexico as well as in Guatemala and Belize.

Costa's Hummingbirds are small North American desert birds that inhabit the western United States and Mexico, but are known to wander eastward and as far north as Alaska and Canada. Their wintering areas include southern California south into Mexico. Hummingbird Fall Migration Hummingbirds are migratory creatures. The Fall Migration Triggers Although there are differing views in the birding community as to what triggers the start of fall migration, it is generally thought that hummingbirds sense changes in daylight duration, and declining numbers of flowers, nectar and insects.

Making the Trip South Rain makes Ruby-throats thirsty! Scene at our yard, September 8, , approaching peak fall migration. It's crowded, but one more in the top corner is trying to find a spot to feed. Common Name and Scientific Name. Ruby-throated Archilochus colubris Ruby-throated hummingbirds migrate northward from Mexico or Central America, and begin showing up in the United States as early as January in the extreme southern states.

Rufous Selasphorus rufus Rufous Hummingbirds are wide-ranging, and breed farther north than any other hummingbird, even into southeastern Alaska. More about Rufous Hummingbirds. Black-chinned Archilochus alexandri The Black-chinned Hummingbird's breeding range stretches from southern British Columbia in Canada through Idaho and Nevada, south to northern Mexico, and from coastal California, Arizona through Texas, where they are relatively common spring and summer residents.

These hummingbirds have also been reported in a number of other states. More about Allen's Hummingbirds. More about Anna's Hummingbirds. Broad-tailed Selasphorus platycercus Broad-tailed hummingbirds migrate north in the spring leaving behind the non-migrant populations in central Mexico. More about Broad-tailed Hummingbirds. Calliope Stellula calliope Calliope Hummingbirds primarily breed at high elevations in the mountains of northwestern United States and Canada into Alaska.

More about Calliope Hummingbirds. They are closely related to the Anna's Hummingbirds. More about Costa's Hummingbirds. Ruby Throat Hummingbirds feeding during the fall southerly migration in early September, Watch our video on YouTube And turn up your volume to enjoy their humming and chirping! More Resources.