Ruby Throated Hummingbird Migration South

What happens when migrating ruby throated hummingbirds reach the gulf of mexico.

Ruby throated hummingbird migration south. For most people ruby throated hummingbirds are going to be what many people considered to be just a generic hummingbird. There are exceptions such as the anna s hummingbird. In fact it s the only one that breeds east of the mississippi river. It is true that most hummingbirds fly north in the spring and south in the winter to complete the hummingbird migration.

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. This female ruby throated hummingbird is my first hummingbird of the year. Migration south begins in late august and will continue through to mid september. 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 map below shows the approximate spring migration arrival dates for ruby throated hummingbirds in north america. They generally fly along the eastern coast along ruby throated hummingbirds spend the winters months anywhere from northern panama to southern mexico. By mid to late march they will begin reaching the southern tips of many gulf coast states such as texas and louisiana. 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. Ruby throated hummingbird spring migration first arrivals in the spring usually males are back in texas and louisiana in late february to mid march. I only get hummingbirds in my backyard in lethbridge during fall migration usually in mid august. 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. Ruby throated hummingbirds will typically begin their northern migration in late february to early march. Their breeding range extends into several canadian provinces. The ruby throated hummingbird is one of the most commonly found hummingbirds of the united states.

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