Ruby-throated Hummingbirds: Wintering northward at a nectar feeder near you?
December 22, 2015
Thank to Lauren Flesher for this guest student blog post. Lauren describes how Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are expanding their winter range into the southeastern United States.
photo © Bob Vuxinic
Hummingbirds, with their small size, striking colors, brilliant iridescence, and rapid hovering flight, are often thought of as flying jewels. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, found throughout eastern North America, are especially beloved by backyard birdwatchers. But by winter, most hummingbirds will have left their nectar feeders behind, having migrated south to Central America and Mexico. In fact, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are known for their amazing migration across the Gulf of Mexico, a 500-mile journey that takes 20 hours of non-stop flying. That’s quite a feat for a bird that only weighs a few grams! But over the last 25 years, some hummingbirds have found a way to avoid that strenuous flight by wintering in the warmer parts of the southeastern United States. The wintering range of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird has expanded dramatically in the last several decades with the range shifting nearly 200 miles northward. These hummingbirds can now reliably be found in winter from the Gulf Coast states up the Atlantic Coast to South Carolina. 
To better understand the winter ecology of these hummingbirds at the northern edge of their new winter range, researchers intensively studied birds in one South Carolina backyard. They studied the birds passing through and wintering in the area for four years, gathering data on age, sex, and frequency of return. The research team banded 416 hummingbirds with minuscule identification rings, each with a specific sequence of numbers, so that individual birds could be identified. At the end of the study period, the researchers had accumulated interesting results.
The likelihood that an individual would return to the study site for more than one winter was about 19%, a higher return rate than what had been previously documented at study sites farther south. Among females, the return rate was even greater, reaching more than 31%. Some individuals returned every winter during the study period, while others returned only once or twice. None of the hummingbirds present during the winter lived in the area during the summer, suggesting that the summer residents had migrated south and the winter residents were from breeding populations farther north. Furthermore, during winter more males than females were present, especially among juvenile birds. This suggests that different sexes and ages winter in different places, a strategy used by many bird species, but a pattern not previously documented in Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. 
photo © Maggie MacDonald
The researchers predict that wintering Ruby-throated Hummingbirds will continue to move farther north as the climate continues to warm. Wintering closer to their breeding grounds not only increases their chances of surviving migration, but also allows them to start breeding sooner. Who knows? Maybe in a few decades we’ll never have to spend a winter without hummingbirds.
Reference: Cubie, D. 2014. Site Fidelity, Residency, and Sex Ratios of Wintering Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) on the southeastern U.S. Atlantic Coast. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 126: 775-778.
Lauren Flesher is senior at Cornell University studying sustainable agriculture. Her area of study includes the development of methods for avian conservation in agroecosystems, and the mitigation of avian pest damage.
I live in Clinton NC and we have had an unusually warm “winter”. Our Christmas was spent in sundresses and shorts instead of snow jackets and thermals. I have noticed at least two hummingbirds still hanging around eating off my feeders. Is it too late for them to migrate? Is this normal behavior or a result of our confusing weather?
I love humming birds. Why are humming birds are they called like that because they hum”?
One day I was on my deck near the hummingbird feeder and wearing a red sweater. A hummingbird flew within a couple of feet of me, and I discovered why they’re called hummingbird. They do indeed hum.
The sound of their wings beating very fast. It sounds like humming
Thanks for sharing your view. Really its a nice blog, keep in touch.
Thanks for sharing your views. Really its a great blog. keep posted these type of blog.
I live in NW Arkansas. This winter I have a young male broadtail hummingbird coming to a feeder multiple times a day.
Hi Charles! I am the Publicity Chairperson for the Arkansas Audubon Society. I would like to learn more about your Broad Tail! Could you please email me at birdiehaynes@yahoo.com. Thank you!
Charles, did you obtain a photo of your hummingbird? If it is a broad-tail that would be an exceedingly rare discovery. I am the Curator for the rare bird records that are maintained by the Arkansas Audubon Society.
Charles,
Where do you live, and would you let folks come see and photograph your broadtail hummingbird?
Thank you.
-Joan
I have to wonder how many winter hummingbirds are around here. I live in east-central Indiana, and have heard some recent reports of Rufous Hummingbirds in Ohio and other surrounding areas. However, not many people keep their hummingbird feeders out during the winter, and of those that do, even fewer pay attention to them. And of those that do see hummingbirds during the winter, how many report them?
I live in Santa Clara, California about 40 miles south of San Francisco. I keep a feeder stocked with sugar water and see hummingbirds this year coming many times to the feeder every day even now into January 2016. I hope there are enough insects around to feed them the protein they need.
How, wonderful,, to see a Hummingbird,, in winter!!,
To all of you who share, your comments and pictures,,Wherever,, you is,,
Know,, that you are read,
and that all your feedback on any bird,, and feeder pics.. are always warmly shared,, by many
and thanks for your generous sharing.. for the winters are long…at least here…
Greetings for the new year 2016
Andree Dubreuil ,,
Trois-Rivières, Quebec
We live in Southern Shores on the Outer Banks and have had Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds at our feeder during the winter ever since we put it up – 7-8 years ago. Right now, we have a female and juvenile male, who take turns – except when the Baltimore Oriole is camped out on the feeder. I’ve heard that the hummingbirds that are here in the winter are not the same ones that are here in the summer – is that true?
In Citrus Heights we have a feeder in the back yard and one near the front porch. I watch our two hummers zip around together and race straight up in the air sometimes. But they won’t feed together. One takes the backyard and one the front porch.
Put up more Hummingbird feeders. The more the merrier
Cheers:
I live in Northern Virginia and I have had large numbers of red throated hummingbirds for years. I don´t understand why this article says that they go as far north as SC.
Hello, Jaime Ojeda.. i read what you wrote,, unfortunately,, I live in Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
I wish,, i could answer your question… I cannot,,
But, Know,, I have read, your comment..
Greetings.. from us to you..
continue,, we read you.. and. that is what is important,,
During the winter I believe the article means?
I live in Tsawwassen on Boundary Bay, located between Vancouver and Vancouver Island in south western British Columbia. My 4 feeders are in constant use: Anna’s all year round and Rufous during the summer. They never share the feeders with others. Usually, a male h-brid will perch close-by ‘ his’ feeder and chase others away. I have always wondered why that is, may be because of lack of available food.When I take down the feeders to clean them they follow me right to the house.
I read your comment but. somehow,, living in Québec,, the terms of your feeder birds are somewhat not clear.
I imagine, you are probably refering to hummingbirds..
please,, tell me more,, everything,, and take into considerration,, that all over the world.. we look and read your comments.. and need so much more informatation,, and we really enjoy reading,, do not give up.. simply,, give more détails.. in the meantime,, All the best.
and Greetings.. from simply Quebec
I live in Southern California and have 5 feeders up. They start very early, seems like just as the sun is coming up and its a blitz of activity all day long with the most right before sundown. I’ve seen several different colors and they come right up to us and hummm away! I keep feeders up all year as I never see them go away entirely. Love it!
hello, pAT,,
sOMEHOW,, your entry,, just got the spot,, i was brought up in San mATEO, cALIFORNIA,, and now live in Trois-Rivières, Québec,Canada,,
California,, in the recent polls,, had the most species,, and in the State of Birds.. you,, are so infinitely Lucky.. to have so many species,, I forgot your question,, do forgive me.. But, Know,, that you are indeed, and should eac h and every day.. appreciate,, all the birds, you may greet in your yards.. Pat,, just continue and share, with the rest of the world.. your garden, and your birds..
Greetings,, from Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada..
No links, no social medias, no advertising, is associacted with Mrs. Andree Dubreuil, comment,, All are simply and nice,, thanks, and greetings..
Every “serious” birdwatcher knows that hummingbirds hum because they do not know the words. But seriously, what do hummingbirds eat in the winter in the northern edges of its winter range?. Not many flowers or bugs about even in the Carolinas.
2/10/16 In late December we realized that we had a Hummer here in Carolina Beach, NC at our deck feeder. Since I only get to see it in early morn. and early evening…I’m not sure what kind it is. However, at 5:45pm, it stayed at the feeder, just sitting on the rim, for about 20 mins. Tonight (currently 37 degrees) it will dip to 25-27 degrees after midnight…. Per a post, I have made it’s mixture at 3 to 1, instead of the usual Summer mixture of 4 to 1. I hope this helps. We expect the temp. to be in the teens later on this week-end….has anyone had a Hummingbird that survived that low? Wish I could find a web site that explained how they manage to stay warm enough and if there is anything else one might do to assist it’s survival. Thank you!
Thanks for the fascinating article, Lauren! I’m feeding a few dozen Ruby-throated Hummingbirds at this very moment, doing my part to make their Mexican vacation all it can be.
I am not on any social medias,, but,, continuously,, always look forrward to all comments and observations, which all of you.. are fortunate to observer.. Simply said, continue,, share, links, love, and carry on..
To look at a bird, for an instant,, is to carry on, and believe that you,, were important, in that moment..
and know.. that for an infinite sight.. you have lived,,,and enjoyed what so many also share with you..Birds. l..
All birds are wonderful.. and I hope the sight of any of them.. carry and lift ,, your gratitude of seeing them..
to all, I wish you,, a good night.. to give a seed, a piece of bread,, a feeder,
think of the birds..
And make it part of your world..
Hi, i live in Vernon British Columbia, the north Okanagan Valley Canada. My home is of on altitude of 700 meters, about 2100 feet. It is the first time that i have a Humming Bird at this time of the year 2016-11-16 temperature goes down to nearly freezing every night. I guess there is not much i can do for the bird, will it fly further south when it starts to freeze ? I would like to hear from someone familiar with habits of Hummingbirds.
If your hummingbird, probably an Anna’s, is still using your feeder you can try several things to keep it happy in cold weather. Place a heat lamp next to the feeder to keep it fluid and to provide a warm spot for the bird to sit. Hold your hand by the feeder to make sure that it won’t be too hot for the bird. Some people have 2 feeders and keep one inside. Switch a thawed feeder outside when the other one freezes. Or make your own heated feeder. Check the Internet for ideas.
Good luck! Anna’s are expanding their winter range are turning up and thriving in cold states like Idaho and even Alaska.
I’m in Central Oregon on the southwestern edge of the Ochoco Mtns. at 3800 feet.
It was -6 degrees last night and this morning I had my rogue hummingbird [I think it is an Allen] at the feeder that I left up for the first time in five years.
I fitted it with a cozy made of multiple layers of foiled bubble wrap last night and put it back out at this morning at twilight.
I didn’t think it would survive the night—amazing life forms.
We just moved to Payson, AZ this year.Altitude of 5,000 feet. We had so many hummers during the summer. Counted 15 of them one evening between our two feeders. They have all left several weeks ago, except one smaller hummer which has a red spot on his neck, hence his nickname of little redneck. I am concerned that he will not survive the winter if it snows. also looking to report this to a local bander.
Thanks for any information on helping him survive.
Donna
I live in Prescott, AZ at 6,000 ft elevation. We’ve had a few nights with temperatures in the 20’s in the past week or so & the first snow of the season fell this afternoon, but daytime temperatures had been in the 60’s until today. Moments ago, a hummingbird was at my feeder (Annas?). We’ve had 2 pairs, 1 larger & 1 smaller pair, that frequent our feeders & we often see them fighting with their same-sized counterparts over what I guess to be territorial rights. We’ve seen less of them lately & are not sure how many are still in the vicinity. My wife and at least 1 other house on our block still had flowers blooming as of earlier today so I presume there is a food supply other than the feeders.
Can these amazing little birds survive snow and temperatures in the 20’s?
I live on the Canadian border in Washington State. We have hummingbirds that are still here. They are dark green. We are in a cold snap and the feeder freezes so I am heating the nectar up so they can feed in the morning. We leave for Arizona later this month for three months. Our caretaker won’t be heating the nectar. I am afraid the birds will die in this hostile weather. Why are they here??
Hello! Just found your blog! Started feeding the Hummers four yers ago. They come all winter long Portland Oregon. Put out unfrozen food each morning.
It’s Dec 15, 2016 in Tappahannock, VA and I still have a hummingbird visiting my feeder every day. Have been trying to keep a steady food source but with periodioic high winds and freezing temps, it will be a challenge.
I live in Bend Or and this is the second year I have had Black Chinned hummers here all year. I have a picture of one on a 0 degree day on a feeder warmer I built. What do I do? All the articles I read tell me not to take the feeders down until they have migrated.
All of you wonderful fans of hummingbirds.. , I, have only seen 2 in my whole life..
Just keep writing,, and if you can post them.. on the Feederwatch…site,, would love to see your pictures…
We ,, had températures of -20 below Celcius.. here.. in Québec,, reading you,, is like an a wonderful vacation..
But,, in the spring and the summer,, I, will definitely need your input.. Is, it true,, that if you have bird feeders..
that humming birds will stay away.. Do you maintain,, a seperate area.. unique to humming bird feeders…???
Scott in Prescott again, the 2 pair still visit our feeders regularly & we’ve had a lot of nights in the 20’s & low 30’s & a snow storm that dropped 10+ inches in 18 hrs. My speculation is that the hummers are finding enough insects to provide protein & supplementing that with feeders in the area.
A suggestion to those of you with feeders that freeze over, increase the ratio of sugar to water (we are at 1 to 1 until it warms up) & that lowers the freezing point of the mixture. Make sure the sugar is thoroughly dissolved or you’ll find rock candy at the bottom of your feeder when you clean it & change solution, although that doesn’t require boiling the water at our elevation. Make sure the solution has cooled before adding it to a plastic feeder or risk melting/deforming the feeder.
Not sure how elevation factors into the equation, we’re at 6’000 ft, but while we’ve had to clear melted snow that became ice from the feeder openings, the solution has not frozen at 20 degrees F.
Hi, everyone! just now looked up this article, well written. Through this, I found the hummers very special one. but i’ve seen 3 in my whole life. after read this article , I’ve decided not to take the feed untill they migrated. Thanks for sharing an interesting article.
Marti in Mesa, Az. I think I have a partial albino humming bird in my backyard. He has been here now for 3 weeks. have other hummingbirds too. but first for a white one.
I’m in the Acton,Ca area. We are getting heavy rain now. I always have hummingbirds (maybe 1 to 3)in winter number drops from spring summer. My question is I just went outside to see about something and I looked up and into my wood exposed eves and in the little corner is a hummingbird. It’s all popped up like a puffer fish. I’ve never seen that before is there something I can put out to make some type of winter habitat for them. I’ll move a feeder to this side of the house under the eve. I turn the light off quickly and went back inside not to disturb, so that it wouldn’t fly out into the heavy rain. If I can help make winter less harsh I’d like to help them
I live in Richmond, BC, Canada I have 4 or 5 hummingbirds feeding everyday. What a site to see in the winter. It’s been cold enough some nights to freeze the food so I bring it inside for the night and return it to it’s stand in the am.
To all of you, who share humming with the birds.. how Lucky you are to have them.. know.. that, your sweetness
is shared,,, and,, to all,, somehow.. the rain here,, has not been a great year,, many of the flowers.. have just simply wilted,, keep writing,, even if I, am not on social medias.. let your comments.. flow..
and tell me about your humming bird tales, and why and how they inspire you.. but ,, most of all share them..
even the tiny have great tales,, and the great ones, are the ones to tell us all about them..
go for it..
in the meantime.. while you think,, know.. that all of you,, that have feeders,, many sweet thanks..
We had a Ruby Throated Hummingbird overwinter in our neighborhood of Lago Mar in Virginia Beach, VA. I wonder if this is the northernmost location for a Ruby to overwinter?
In Indonesia We can’t find hummingbird but we have Sunbird and Honeyeater.
I live in North Central Florida. Four days ago around 7:30 pm (still light outside) a dark black-bodied, dark red throated, long-billed hummingbird was feeding at my hummingbird feeder. It looked different from any hummingbirds around here. The body and wings appeared to be a bit larger/wider. It actually looked and acted more like a bat. I thought it looked very hungry and tired because it kept going from the feeder then to the tree branch to rest and then back again. After doing this for a short period of time, it literally it attached itself to the small vertical trunk of the tree near the feeder and flattened its body against the trunk. Through my binoculars I could clearly see its head pointed straight up as it wiped its long black-bill (1.5″) back and forth on the trunk. Its body was so flat against the trunk that it looked like just a black knot on the trunk. I did not get a picture because I wasn’t close enough and I was afraid I would scare it away if I moved closer. It was still attached to the truck when I went into my house about 20 minutes later when it was getting dark. Was this a hummingbird or a bat?
When I looked its description up online, I could not find any information that would suggest it could have been a bat. The only hummingbirds I found that even remotely resembled this bird were a long-billed star-throat hummingbird (which doesn’t come this far north) and a male ruby throated hummingbird. Has anyone ever heard of a hummingbird attaching it’s body tightly to a tree trunk like a bat?
had twelve birds three years ago. A neighbor moved in year before last and we have had only two the last two years due to loud parting into the night. Also, a barking St. Bernard. Those people have moved and just wondering if anyone out there has had a problem like this and how long did it take to retrieve a group again /.
I still have a ruby throated hummingbird as of Ictober 19, 2018 in West Lafayette. Unusual as our fall and winter weather is very unpredictable.
We still have a ruby throated female at our feeder as of November 5, 2018 in central Missouri. This is the latest I have ever recorded.
We have had ruby throated male hummingbirds at our feeder for the past month. Today I saw a ruby throated with an orange/gold throat. I was quite surprised as this is the first time that I have seen this color on the neck. Searching the internet I found that it isn’t common, but they are around and thought to be young non-breeding males. This is the latest that I have seen hummingbirds at my feeder.
Here in Falls Church, VA, we still have a ruby throated male at the feeder. He has golden neck feathers instead of ruby. He is immature and the throat feathers, while uncommon, do happen in young ruby throats. This is the latest I have had summers at my feeder.
Hi Ellen. I’m not too far from you, in Lorton VA. I also have at least one ruby-throated hummingbird at my two feeders…and it’s Nov 15! I’ve never noticed birds at my feeder so late in the year. Guess I’m on the hook for maintaining a winter feeding program.
Greetings, I really enjoyed your article as well. I live in Cornville AZ which is about 20 minutes from Sedona. I usually put 2 feeders on my back porch and 2 on my front porch. There are so many hummingbirds in the summer I’m considering more this coming year. In the winter I just keep one on each porch and there’s always a couple around in the winter. I believe they are the Rufus ones because they are all black. We have a Hummingbird Society here in Sedona and they put on an event each year called the Hummingbird Festival. They say that Sedona has the largest varieties of hummingbirds than anywhere during the summer. My question is, in the winter they must be searching for some heat source, would it be helpful to put one of those red heat bulbs by their feeders so they have a place to warm up. Or is there anything that we can create to give them some type of shelter during the winter? Also where do we send pictures to, I don’t see a place here to add a photo?
Hi June,
Thanks for commenting!
Participants can submit photos to our Participant Photos Gallery. To answer your question, hummingbirds can survive on their own during winter; providing food and heat can be helpful but it is not necessary to their survival. We warn against placing heaters too close to sugar water, as mold can grow in the food and be very harmful to the birds. We recommend changing out sugar water every couple of days in warm weather, so we would recommend the same if a heater was placed near the feeder in the winter. If you have further questions, please email them to us at feederwatch@cornell.edu.
We have a female ruby throat in Maryland near the coast. This is the latest I have ever seen one at my feeder. We have a flood light on the food on days when the temperatures drop below freezing. I have also changed the ratio of sugar from 1-4 to 1-3 on those bitter nights as I have read this helps them survive. Love to hear about others still in the area. November 27, 2018
Hi Magi, We still have a ruby throated hummingbird that comes to our feeder in Falls Church, VA. This morning the sugar water was very slushy as temperature at 7 am was 24 degrees. Changed the sugar water and he is feeding about every 30 minutes. My first experience feeding a hummer during winter.
What is the best time of year to look for ruby throated hummingbirds in South Florida? By Gregg L. Friedman MD
Hi Gregg,
It depends on where you live in South Florida- check out this range map. You can see that in the Keys and along the shores on the tip of the peninsula, the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are only around in winter. Then, they migrate through the inland area between those shores in spring and fall, and will spend the rest of the breeding season farther north in Florida. These specific dates are not always the same, but the seasons act as a good guideline. Let us know if you have further questions at feederwatch@cornell.edu.