Ruby Throated Hummingbird Migration South

Ruby throated hummingbirds will typically begin their northern migration in late february to early march.

Ruby throated hummingbird migration south.

Migration south begins in late august and will continue through to mid september. It is true that most hummingbirds fly north in the spring and south in the winter to complete the hummingbird migration. The ruby throated hummingbird is migratory spending most of the winter in florida southern mexico and central america as far south as extreme western panama and the west indies. The ruby throated hummingbird is one of the most commonly found hummingbirds of the united states.

On the other hand the ruby throated hummingbird the most predominate of the eastern states may not arrive in the northern states and canada until may. They are the most common in the united states especially in the eastern half. Ken in lethbridge ab. In fact it s the only one that breeds east of the mississippi river.

These hummingbirds have a very strict routine often returning to the same area each and every year. The map below shows the approximate spring migration arrival dates for ruby throated hummingbirds in north america. For most people ruby throated hummingbirds are going to be what many people considered to be just a generic hummingbird. Some rubythroats fly over land following the coastline to reach their wintering grounds.

Most rubythroats fly nonstop 500 miles or more across the water to mexico and other central american countries. During migration some birds embark on a nonstop 900 mile journey across the gulf of mexico and caribbean from panama or mexico to the eastern united states. Ruby throated hummingbird spring migration first arrivals in the spring usually males are back in texas and louisiana in late february to mid march. What happens when migrating ruby throated hummingbirds reach the gulf of mexico.

I only get hummingbirds in my backyard in lethbridge during fall migration usually in mid august. Their breeding range extends into several canadian provinces. 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. To reach these eastern breeding grounds the ruby throated hummingbird takes a perilous route of flying over 500 miles non stop over the gulf of mexico.

By mid to late march they will begin reaching the southern tips of many gulf coast states such as texas and louisiana. There are exceptions such as the anna s hummingbird. In more northern states first arrivals are not until april or may.