Ruby Throated Hummingbird Migration South

These hummingbirds have a very strict routine often returning to the same area each and every year.

Ruby throated hummingbird migration south.

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. Migration south begins in late august and will continue through to mid september. By mid to late march they will begin reaching the southern tips of many gulf coast states such as texas and louisiana. For most people ruby throated hummingbirds are going to be what many people considered to be just a generic hummingbird.

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. 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. I don t know how long she will stay but i saw her yesterday morning and evening 08 14 2020. 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.

Their breeding range extends into several canadian provinces. There are exceptions such as the anna s hummingbird. Most rubythroats fly nonstop 500 miles or more across the water to mexico and other central american countries. This female ruby throated hummingbird is my first hummingbird of the year.

The ruby throated hummingbird is one of the most commonly found hummingbirds of the united states. The map below shows the approximate spring migration arrival dates for ruby throated hummingbirds in north america. They are the most common in the united states especially in the eastern half. Ken in lethbridge ab.

What happens when migrating ruby throated hummingbirds reach the gulf of mexico. 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. In fact it s the only one that breeds east of the mississippi river. Ruby throated hummingbirds will typically begin their northern migration in late february to early march.

Ruby throated hummingbird spring migration first arrivals in the spring usually males are back in texas and louisiana in late february to mid march. It is true that most hummingbirds fly north in the spring and south in the winter to complete the hummingbird migration. Some rubythroats fly over land following the coastline to reach their wintering grounds.