Are you seeing more hummingbirds in your backyard? That would make sense since we're officially in spring.


What You Need To Know

  • Spring 2021 hummingbird migration has taken place

  • After spending the winter down south, hummingbirds return to the U.S.

  • You can track the migration online and send in your own reports 

Photo Credit: Freeimages.com
Photo Credit: Freeimages.com

What is the hummingbird migration?

You know how we like to visit warm places during the frigid winter months? Well, hummingbirds like to do the same.

Once it gets cold, hummingbirds will travel south to areas like Central America or Mexico. But once the weather gets warmer, hummingbirds will return to their breeding grounds in the United States.

Photo Credit: Freeimages.com
Photo Credit: Freeimages.com

When does the spring migration take place?

Typically, the spring migration will take place as early as January; however, this is for locations in far southern parts of the United States. 

For those of us farther north, April through May is when hummingbirds pop up. 

Since temperatures struggle to get warmer in far northern parts of the country, the spring migration will be monitored until the end of May.

Photo Credit: Freeimages.com
Photo Credit: Freeimages.com

How can you keep track of the spring migration?

During the spring, people can submit hummingbird sightings to Hummingbird Central. There, you can find a full map showing the different sightings across the country.

Image from Hummingbird Central

Hummingbird migration fun facts

  • During migration, a hummingbird's heartbeat beats up to 1,260 times per minute.
  • A hummingbird's wings typically flap 15 to 80 times per second.
  • Hummingbirds typically migrate alone.
  • A hummingbird will gain 25-40% of its body weight before migration.