Discover How Far Hummingbirds Can Fly Without Stopping

Hummingbirds are incredible little creatures that are more hardy than you might think. Like many species of bird, hummingbirds migrate to find better locations for building their nests and searching for food. However, these creatures can fly far longer than most birds without having to stop to rest.

How Far Can Hummingbirds Fly Without Stopping?

Hummingbirds can fly approximately 1,370 miles (2,200 kilometers) without stopping. This statistic comes from research published in the journal The Auk: Ornithological Advances over ruby-throated hummingbirds, according to How Stuff Works.

Why Do Hummingbirds Migrate?

Like many other species of birds, hummingbirds migrate to be closer to the best food sources, such as flowers and insects. It’s easy to imagine that falling temperatures cause hummingbirds to head to warmer climates. In reality, hummingbirds are actually spurred to migrate thanks to decreased daylight hours, writes the American Bird Conservancy.

Most hummingbirds stay in North America during the summer months. They typically begin their fall migration in August or September. During this time, hummingbirds begin their journey to Mexico or Central America for the winter.

In late winter or early spring, hummingbirds begin their return journey to their breeding grounds in the United States and Canada. Competition for food in the tropics can be fierce and hummingbirds wisely return north in the summer when the area’s food supplies are replenished.

How Fast Can Hummingbirds Fly?

Hummingbirds aren’t just long-distance flyers, they can also reach incredibly fast speeds while in the air. In direct flight, hummingbirds commonly reach speeds of around 30 miles per hour. However, these little creatures also put on courtship displays that involve aerial acrobatics and dives. During these dives, hummingbirds can reach speeds of over 45 miles per hour.

Do All Hummingbirds Migrate?

Not all hummingbirds are migratory. Some species make their home in areas where migration is not necessary and enough food supplies are available year-round. Additionally, in some instances, hummingbirds may struggle to migrate if they are too old or young, or if they are ill. Let’s take a look at one species of hummingbird that migrates and one that does not.

Red-Throated Hummingbirds: Migratory

Red-throated hummingbirds certainly migrate and are the species that have been found capable of flying 1,370 miles (2,200 kilometers) without taking a break. The majority of ruby-throated hummingbirds make their home in the U.S. and Canada during the summer months and travel to Mexico or Central America for the winter.

However, some birds of this species may overwinter in the southern United States along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. Interestingly, male ruby-throated hummingbirds also typically migrate a few days before females. This gives the males time to establish territories so they can successfully court females when breeding season begins.

Anna’s Hummingbird: Non-Migratory

Anna’s hummingbirds are one species that do not migrate — at least not in the way typical to most hummingbirds. This species may travel short distances in search of food sources. They make their home in a habitat that stretches from northern Mexico to Southern Canada.

It is believed that the introduction of exotic flowering trees along the west coast of California expanded the range of Anna’s hummingbirds and made north/south migration unnecessary.

Hummingbird Flight Facts

Hummingbirds are fascinating creatures with some of the most incredible abilities when it comes to flying. Let’s dive into a few more things you might not know about hummingbirds and their powerful ability to fly.

Hummingbirds Can Fly Backwards

Not only can hummingbirds fly incredible distances, but they are also one of the only birds with the ability to fly backward. Most birds cannot fly backward due to the structure of their wings, which are designed to push the bird forward, writes Bird Spot.

However, hummingbirds can fly forward, backward, and upside down. They can also hover in mid-air. This is because the muscles in hummingbird wings allow them to move their wings up, down, backward, forward, and even rotate them to make a figure-eight.

A Hummingbird’s Wings Beat Incredibly Fast

We know that hummingbirds can travel long distances, hover in midair, and reach speeds of over 45 miles per hour. Some of these factors are due to the fact that a hummingbird’s wings work incredibly hard.

In fact, according to the Adirondack Council, these creatures’ tiny wings beat around 70 times per second in regular flight and over 200 times per second while diving.