Ruby Red Throated Hummingbird Migration

Each year ruby throated hummingbirds along with a few other hummingbird species take part in a long journey known as migration.

Ruby red throated hummingbird migration. There are a few species in canada and the united states. Some rubythroats fly over land following the coastline to reach their wintering grounds. Ruby throated hummingbird archilochus colubris eastern united states south and central canada. What happens when migrating ruby throated hummingbirds reach the gulf of mexico.

There it is fairly common in summer in open woods and gardens. First arrivals in the spring usually males are back in texas and louisiana in late february to mid march. For most people ruby throated hummingbirds are going to be what many people considered to be just a generic hummingbird. These brilliant tiny precision flying creatures glitter like jewels in the full sun then vanish with a zip toward the next nectar source.

Hundreds of kinds of hummingbirds nest in the american tropics and more than a dozen in the western u s but east of the great plains there is only the ruby throat. They are the most common in the united states especially in the eastern half. Ruby throated hummingbirds have reached their northernmost migration points. Over land or water.

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. Ruby throated hummingbirds breed in north america during the summer months but prefer to spend their winters in much warmer climates. 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.

Most rubythroats fly nonstop 500 miles or more across the water to mexico and other central american countries. Ruby throated hummingbird migration route. Feeders and flower gardens are great ways to attract these birds and some people turn their yards into buzzing clouds of hummingbirds each summer. To get there from their north american breeding grounds some birds embark on a marathon nonstop flight across the gulf of mexico.

Ruby throated hummingbirds winter in mexico and central america. These hummingbirds have a very strict routine often returning to the same area each and every year. Impressive migrants despite their small size some ruby throats may. The map below shows the approximate spring migration arrival dates for ruby throated hummingbirds in north america.

In more northern states first arrivals are not until april or may. This shows estimated arrival dates of ruby throated hummingbirds based on previous years. The front line of the migration has moved into alberta manitoba saskatchewan ontario quebec new brunswick prince edward island and nova scotia.