How Hummingbirds Migrate South

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keep hummingbird feeders clean by replacing syrup every 3-4 days. (charlotote ekker wiggins photo)

How Hummingbirds Migrate South

Hummingbirds are tiny birds with incredible stamina, and their fall migration is one of nature’s most remarkable events. Here’s how it works, and how gardeners can help:

How Hummingbirds Migrate South

  • Timing: Most hummingbirds in North America begin migrating south in late summer through early fall (August–October). The exact timing depends on the species and region.

  • Routes: Eastern populations of ruby-throated hummingbirds often fly nonstop across the Gulf of Mexico—a 500-mile journey that takes 18–24 hours. Western species, like rufous hummingbirds, follow the Rocky Mountains south.

  • Distance: Many travel 2,000–3,000 miles from Canada and the U.S. down to Mexico, Central America, and even northern South America.

  • Triggers: Shorter day length, declining nectar sources, and instinct signal it’s time to move.

  • Fuel: They double their body weight before departure by feasting on nectar and small insects. This fat is their “gas tank” for the journey.

What to Plant for Hummingbirds

Planting nectar-rich flowers helps fuel migration and supports birds that stay longer in your area:

Fall-blooming perennials & annuals:

  • Salvia (sage) – especially late-blooming varieties like Salvia guaranitica

  • Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans)

  • Bee balm (Monarda)

  • Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

  • Zinnias and cosmos (easy annuals for late nectar)

Shrubs & vines:

  • Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)

  • Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia)

  • Native columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

Trees:

  • Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)

  • Red horse chestnut (for spring/fall balance)

Other Ways to Help Hummingbirds

  • Feeders: Keep feeders clean (scrub every 3–5 days, more often in heat). Use 1 part sugar to 4 parts water, no dyes. Leave feeders up until at least 2 weeks after the last hummingbird sighting, to help late migrants.

  • Insects: Don’t spray pesticides—hummingbirds also eat gnats, aphids, and spiders for protein.

  • Shelter: Provide shrubs and small trees for resting and cover.

  • Continuous bloom: Stagger plantings so something is flowering from early spring to late fall.

Some ruby-throated hummingbirds return to the exact same garden each year. If you provide food and habitat consistently, they’ll remember your space as a reliable stopover and you’ll see them from year to year.

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Charlotte