Ruby Throated Hummingbird Migration Path

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 migration path.

They are the most common in the united states especially in the eastern half. Ruby throated hummingbirds across pennsylvania and regions north of pennsylvania. These hummingbirds have a very strict routine often returning to the same area each and every year. The front line of the migration has moved into alberta manitoba saskatchewan ontario quebec new brunswick prince edward island and nova scotia.

By the start of september ruby throated hummingbird migration is well underway and we ve been seeing them regularly at the gulf coast bird observatory. For most people ruby throated hummingbirds are going to be what many people considered to be just a generic hummingbird. The short answer probably is migration. The map below shows the approximate spring migration arrival dates for ruby throated hummingbirds in north america.

A male ruby throated hummingbird drinks nectar from a bee balm flower. Ruby throated hummingbird spring 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. The most famous migration is the ruby throated because this remarkable bird travels from central america and mexico crosses the gulf of mexico none stop and continues as far north as eastern canada.

Ruby throated hummingbird migration route. Most rubythroats fly nonstop 500 miles or more across the water to mexico and other central american countries. Hummingbird migration routes vary from species to species. Hummingbird migration although field observations reveal the obvious about ruby throated hummingbird archilochus colubris they occur in north america in summer and in mexico or central america in winter science is lacking in specific details about what routes they follow to get from one place to the other.

In more northern states first arrivals are not until april or may. Ruby throated hummingbirds have reached their northernmost migration points. It s time to get those feeders out. First arrivals in the spring usually males are back in texas and louisiana in late february to mid march.

What happens when migrating ruby throated hummingbirds reach the gulf of mexico. Over land or water. Ruby throated hummingbirds breed in north america during the summer months but prefer to spend their winters in much warmer climates.