Discover When Hummingbirds Leave New York

Hummingbirds may be associated with tropical places. But they are found throughout New York. These tiny marvels of nature are known for their swift movements and vibrant colors, which make them very easy to identify.

As summer draws to a close, New York residents may notice that their neighborhood hummingbirds aren’t as plentiful as they once were. New York gets very cold in the winter, so hummingbirds have to migrate south, where they can find flowers and nectar. Otherwise, they’d simply starve to death.

Read on to learn when hummingbirds leave New York and where they go.

When Hummingbirds Leave New York

As the end of summer comes closer, hummingbirds prepare for their long journey southward. You’ll notice these hummingbirds leaving in late spring to early fall, usually around late August to early September.

We don’t know everything about migration and how it works. We can’t exactly just ask a hummingbird, after all. However, we know that what tells a bird to go is probably related to the light levels. Therefore, it’s the length of the day that’s important, not the weather.

Once the days start getting shorter, hummingbirds know that they must travel to the south to find food. This timing aligns with the diminishing daylight hours and the gradual reduction in the availability of nectar-producing flowers, their primary food source.

If hummingbirds didn’t travel to the south, they would run out of food and starve. Therefore, many leave before the flowers dry up altogether.

Hummingbird Migration Routes

For such small birds, it’s surprising how far they travel when migrating. Their journey often takes them thousands of miles into the south, where they have to cross bodies of water and challenging terrains.

When leaving New York, many hummingbirds embark on an awe-inspiring migration route. They cross the Gulf of Mexico, a journey that requires non-stop flying for up to 18 to 20 hours, covering distances of up to 500 miles.

To fuel their flight, they must rely on fat reserves. Therefore, hummingbirds must consume tons of food in the weeks leading up to the migration. You may notice increased feeding, especially if you have a bird feeder.

Where Do They Go?

Of course, the “south” of New York is a huge area. Where exactly do hummingbirds go when they leave?

It depends on the species and individual. All hummingbirds are a bit different. However, they will always move towards warmer areas, where flowers are available in winter.

When they depart New York, their favored destinations are typically the warmer regions of Central America and part of Mexico. These provide the right climate and food sources, allowing them to survive when New York is frozen.

These wintering grounds are vital for the avian’s survival. The birds will return to New York in the spring when it begins to warm. Again, the return trip is probably triggered by light levels – not the temperature.

Resident vs. Migratory Hummingbirds

The vast majority of hummingbirds migrate. They simply cannot survive through the winter months without readily available flowers. However, some species don’t migrate far and can survive the rougher winter climates.

New York gets very cold, so this is rarer in the state. However, resident species include Anna’s Hummingbird and Rufous Hummingbird. These have learned to find sustenance through the winter and evolved not to migrate like other hummingbird species.

You may see these in New York during the winter, though they are decently rare.

Hummingbird Species in New York

New York is home to many different hummingbird species, and many more pass through while migrating.

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird stands out as the most common and recognizable. These petite birds, characterized by their iridescent emerald-green feathers and vibrant ruby-red throats, are the primary migratory species in the state. Their departure marks the end of their breeding season in New York and the beginning of their incredible migration to warmer climes.

There are other species, but the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most common.

Summary of When Hummingbirds Leave New York

Most hummingbirds leave New York when the weather begins to cool in the summer. Usually, hummingbirds begin to leave around late summer to early fall. If you feed hummingbirds or watch them, you may notice a frenzy in the middle of summer, followed by a sudden drop-off in activity as hummingbirds leave.

While some species call New York home year-round, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird takes center stage as the primary migratory species in the state. Over-wintered residents are quite rare, but they are sometimes spotted.