Hummingbird Migration Tracker
Follow the remarkable journeys of hummingbirds across North America — from wintering grounds in Mexico to summer breeding ranges in Canada and Alaska. Explore real-time maps, density heat maps, and species range overlays.
Migration Timeline
Month-by-month movement patterns across North America
🌱 Spring Migration (Jan – Jun)
🍂 Fall Migration (Jul – Dec)
Interactive Map
Real-time sighting data from citizen scientists across North America
Full Leaflet.js map integration available — submit sightings via eBird or iNaturalist
Migration Heat Map
Sighting density by region and month — darker green = higher activity
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pacific Coast | 2 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Southwest | 3 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Rocky Mtn | – | – | 1 | 4 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 2 | – | – |
Midwest | – | – | 1 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 2 | – | – |
Eastern USA | – | – | 2 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 1 | – |
Species Range Overlays
Known breeding and wintering states for each species
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
Anna's Hummingbird
Calypte anna
Rufous Hummingbird
Selasphorus rufus
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Archilochus alexandri
Blue-throated Mountain-gem
Lampornis clemenciae
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Selasphorus platycercus
Calliope Hummingbird
Selasphorus calliope
Allen's Hummingbird
Selasphorus sasin
Costa's Hummingbird
Calypte costae
Weather & Climate Overlays
How temperature corridors and wind patterns shape migration
Temperature Corridors
Hummingbirds follow the 50°F isotherm northward in spring, tracking flowering plants that need similar conditions.
Tailwind Advantage
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds time their Gulf crossing to exploit southerly tailwinds, reducing the 18-hour flight to as little as 14 hours.
Floral Synchrony
Migration timing is synchronized with peak bloom of key nectar plants — particularly red tubular flowers along the flyway.
Weather Delays
Cold fronts can stall migration for days. Hummingbirds enter torpor to conserve fat reserves during adverse weather.
When to Put Out Feeders
Timing recommendations by region to welcome arriving hummingbirds
Pro Tip: The 2-Week Rule
Always keep feeders out for at least 2 weeks after your last sighting in fall. Late migrants — especially juvenile birds making their first solo journey — may be 2–3 weeks behind adults. A clean feeder could be a lifesaver during their marathon migration.
Remarkable Migration Facts
The science behind one of nature's most extraordinary journeys
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds fly 500 miles across the Gulf of Mexico without stopping — a feat lasting up to 20 hours.
The Rufous Hummingbird has the longest migration of any hummingbird relative to body size on Earth.
The tiny Calliope Hummingbird crosses the Rocky Mountains twice each year during its 5,000-mile migration.
During cold nights, hummingbirds drop their body temperature to near 54°F to conserve precious fat reserves.
Before migrating over the Gulf, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds nearly double their body weight by storing fat.
Anna's Hummingbird begins nesting as early as December–January in California — while most birds are still in the tropics.
Can't Tell Rufous from Allen's?
Several hummingbird species are nearly identical in the field. Our Species Identifier tool walks you through key differences in tail shape, gorget color, and range to help you make a confident ID.
Open Species Identifier →