Enjoying Outside! - Hummingbird Migration

Kristie Ehrhardt • October 2, 2025

I would be willing to bet that most of us have heard about and probably even know some of the details of  the Pacific Flyway. Just in case you need a refresher - the Pacific Flyway is one of four major bird migration routes through North America. It stretches 10,000 miles north-south from Alaska to Patagonia and provides essential stopover points for over one billion migrating waterfowl to rest and refuel. Every spring and fall birds follow some or all of this path pursuing food sources and heading to wintering or breeding grounds. There are several locations in our region where the birds either stop for a time or stay all winter including the Vic Fazio Yolo Wildlife Area in the Yolo Bypass, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex in the Northern Central Valley and Suisun Marsh hear the Sacramento/San Joaquin River Delta.


You may have also recently seen social media posts about hundreds of millions of birds migrating through the United States, primarily the Central Plains as migration reached its peak in that region just this past Thursday. It was estimated that 25 million birds were migrating through the Chicago area alone during a single night. During this event, biologists were urging people to turn off their non-essential outdoor lighting to help the birds navigate through the city during the overnight hours. Turning off lights and using special bird friendly film on windows helps to reduce fatal collisions with buildings and windows that are responsible for killing thousands of birds.


Spring and fall migration seems to be pretty well known for those of us here in the Sacramento Valley as our rice fields and wildlife refuges become alive with millions of migrating and wintering waterfowl. Often big grinds of geese can be heard, even during nighttime hours, as they fly overhead and spend their days feeding in flooded rice fields and other wetlands. It’s hard to miss thousands of noisy geese but, did you know that even the tiniest of birds migrate? Yep, even our little hummingbirds join in the migration activities! 


Like most migratory bird species, hummingbird migration occurs in the spring when the birds head north to breed and in the fall when the itty bitty birds head back down south to winter in warmer climates. Although those of us lucky enough to live here in the Sacramento Valley have resident species like the Anna’s hummingbird that we get to enjoy watching all year, other species such as the Rufous hummingbird, Calliope hummingbird, Black-chinned hummingbird, Broad-tailed hummingbird and others migrate through California on their way to or from Canada, Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, southern California, Mexico and Central America. It is believed that hummingbirds rely on instinct to know when to begin their northern or southern migration. Changes in daylight, temperature and food availability are also likely part of the trigger to begin the long journey. Beginning in late January/early February, some species begin to migrate north to breed in the southern and western United States from their wintering grounds in Central America or Mexico. Later in the spring as temperatures warm they may head further north. Some species such as the Rufous hummingbird migrate north through California in late winter and spring to breed in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska but returns south to its wintering grounds along the Rocky Mountains. The Calliope hummingbird is the smallest long-distance migratory species and travels through California in the spring and fall. The Black-chinned hummingbird is a medium to long distance traveler and navigates through California’s Central Valley to winter in southern California and Mexico. The Broad-tailed hummingbird breeds in the high sierra from late May to early August and then treks south to Mexico for the winter. Allen’s hummingbirds breed in coastal areas from California to Oregon and winter in southern California and Mexico. Interestingly, there are two subspecies, one of them is migratory and the other does not. Other species that are occasionally but not often observed moving through California include Ruby-throated hummingbird, Violet-crowned hummingbird, Broad-billed hummingbird and the Magnificent hummingbird.


These teensy, migrating birds often fly hundreds to thousands of miles, sometimes  over open water or other areas with no available food sources. In order to survive their voyage, hummingbirds must build up significant fat reserves prior to their departure as migrating is a huge energy expense for them. During flight their little hearts beat more than 1,200 times a minute and they complete 50 to 80 wingbeats a second! They can travel up to 23 miles a day, most of it just above treetops or over the water. They feed during the day when nectar sources are more accessible. Ways to help these little guys on their long expedition includes planting native species such as hummingbird sage, monkey flower and manzanita to provide natural sources of nectar as they pass through the area. You can also provide them with an alternate food source such as a hanging hummingbird feeder filled with sugar water. An easy and inexpensive recipe is ½ cup of white sugar dissolved in two cups of water. No boiling is necessary, simply stir and let it set at room temperature until the sugar is fully dissolved in the water - then it’s ready to use. If your feeder has red on it somewhere the little guys will find it, no need to add artificial color to their food. 


Fun facts :)

  • Did you know that hummingbirds play an important role in pollination? Some species of plants, especially those with long, tubular flowers can only be pollinated by hummingbirds.
  • Hummingbirds migrate alone rather than in large flocks like ducks and geese. Young hummingbirds must find their way on their own (a not so fun fact).
  • Usually the male birds leave and arrive first


Not so fun fact :(

  • Hummingbirds, like other pollinators, are declining due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and the spread of invasive plants outcompeting native nectar plants. 


To learn more about hummingbird migration and how you can help them check out our friends at the United States Forest Service’s publication https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/pollinators/documents/HummingbirdBrochures/HummingbirdGuideCA.pdf


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