When do hummingbirds migrate?

Most hummingbirds in America and Canada spend the winter in Mexico or South America before migrating to their breeding ground in southern U.S. as early as February or the first week of March. Some South American hummingbird species also travel north to the tropics during the southern winter.

Hummingbirds that live in the tropics very seldom migrate because there are few shortages and cold winters to avoid. Some species in Alaska, such as the Rufous hummingbird, travel a minimum of 2,700 miles from its nesting range on the northern edge of Alaska to its wintering range in the northern edge of Mexico. Other hummingbirds that are not physically able to migrate can overwinter in a specific place, especially if there are still hummingbird feeders around.