Ruby Throated Hummingbird Migration South

By mid to late march they will begin reaching the southern tips of many gulf coast states such as texas and louisiana.

Ruby throated hummingbird migration south. What happens when migrating ruby throated hummingbirds reach the gulf of mexico. Ruby throated hummingbirds will typically begin their northern migration in late february to early march. 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.

Most rubythroats fly nonstop 500 miles or more across the water to mexico and other central american countries. Some rubythroats fly over land following the coastline to reach their wintering grounds. 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.

Migration south begins in late august and will continue through to mid september. There are exceptions such as the anna s hummingbird. 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. The ruby throated hummingbird is one of the most commonly found hummingbirds of the united states.

They are the most common in the united states especially in the eastern half. 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. In fact it s the only one that breeds east of the mississippi river. I only get hummingbirds in my backyard in lethbridge during fall migration usually in mid august.

Ruby throated hummingbird spring migration first arrivals in the spring usually males are back in texas and louisiana in late february to mid march. They generally fly along the eastern coast along ruby throated hummingbirds spend the winters months anywhere from northern panama to southern mexico. I don t know how long she will stay but i saw her yesterday morning and evening 08 14 2020. Ken in lethbridge ab.

For most people ruby throated hummingbirds are going to be what many people considered to be just a generic hummingbird. These hummingbirds have a very strict routine often returning to the same area each and every year. 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.