Do hummingbirds migrate on geese? Hummingbirds, with their small size and fast flight, have always been one of the strangest and most fascinating birds in the wild. However, an interesting question has been raised among nature watchers: Do hummingbirds migrate on geese? Bird migration has captured the attention of many researchers, and the hypothesis that hummingbirds may rely on geese for migration raises many intriguing questions about their survival and behavior in the wild. Best answers at birdsofjoy.com.
Hummingbird Migration Basics
Most North American hummingbirds fly to Mexico or Central America to spend the winter. While these journeys are not as long as those of South American nightingales, they are still impressive, especially considering the hummingbirds’ small size. For example, the red-throated hummingbird weighs just a little more than a penny, yet it can make the 500-mile trip across the Gulf of Mexico in less than a day.
Like other birds, hummingbirds migrate south in search of flowers, insects, and other food sources. Many species make this journey in late summer and fall, not because of hunger or falling temperatures, but because of the shortening of daylight hours.
In late winter and early spring, they return north to breed in the United States and Canada. Migrating north is a way to escape the tropics, where competition for food can be fierce, while also providing a seat at the table, so to speak, in the North, where summer food supplies are plentiful.
Once in the United States, ruby-throated hummingbirds can fly up to 20 miles a day, often following their favorite early-blooming flowers. Contrary to popular belief, hummingbirds do not migrate on the backs of geese or other birds, although they do sometimes fly in mixed flocks over water.
Do hummingbirds migrate on geese?
No one is sure where the “urban myth” of the goose-assisted migration of the red-necked hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) originated, but it’s hard to imagine that it could be true. Hummingbirds migrate under their own power just above the waves of the Gulf of Mexico (or just above the trees when flying over land), while Canada Geese can migrate at altitudes of 20,000 feet or higher.
Hummingbirds certainly wouldn’t do well at those altitudes. Also, southward-migrating geese don’t end up in the tropics; instead, most end up along the coast of the Carolinas, well north of hummingbird destinations. Perhaps someone just assumed that RTHUs were incapable of long-distance migration and that they had to hitchhike with larger birds – just like people used to believe that hummingbirds had no legs
When do hummingbirds start migrating south?
One thing you will never have to worry about is whether the hummingbirds living in your yard know when to leave as summer turns to fall. Some people think that leaving the feeder on too long will affect hummingbird migration patterns. That’s not true. They know when the time is right!
When the angle of the sun and the amount of daylight changes, hummingbirds know that it’s time to migrate. Most of them migrate from various locations in North America back to South America.
Did you know that they will start eating more at this time to gain weight? In fact, they will gain 25% or more of their total body weight. This is remarkable because “normal” sized birds will not be able to fly after gaining too much weight.
Depending on whether they are on the East Coast (red-throated) or in Alaska (rufous-throated), hummingbird migration will begin between August and October.
By the way, one species that typically stays in the United States year-round is the Anna. They will stay along the West Coast year-round.
Migrating North
As winter turns to spring, it’s time for the hummingbird migration to head back north to find the best breeding habitat. In the southern United States, hummingbirds begin arriving as early as February. They’ll start arriving in Alaska in May.
These amazing little birds sometimes overcome great obstacles to get north. For example, Rufous hummingbirds have been seen falling from the sky into the Mojave Desert as they migrate to Alaska.
Then there are the robin hummingbirds migrating across the Gulf of Mexico. These little birds must eat constantly every day to survive. And, while they normally fly during the day and roost at night, when they fly over the Gulf, there’s nowhere to land to sleep or eat.
For over 450 miles, they’ll fly over water and keep flying until they reach land again (about 20 hours). Sometimes, they even have to fight against winds that can reach 20 miles per hour.
Why do hummingbirds migrate?
If you’re like me, you might wonder why they go through all this trouble.
It is believed that hummingbirds evolved during the ice age. Although they primarily live in the tropics, they began exploring North America when the ice sheets melted.
As North America warmed, they were able to fly as far north as Canada and Alaska to avoid competition for food in South America.
When it became easier to find flowers that provided them with valuable nectar as well as insects, it was natural for them to migrate north.
However, when winter and cold weather set in, the food that the flowers and insects provided would run out. That’s why they migrate back to their “home” in Central and South America.
Remember when I mentioned that there were over 300 species of hummingbirds? Understand that not all hummingbirds follow the same exact migration pattern.
Anna’s hummingbirds are not the only species that stay north during the winter. While most Ruby-throats migrate south, some species actually stay along the Gulf Coast or in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Conclusion
After considering the biology and behavior of hummingbirds and geese, it can be seen that the theory of hummingbirds migrating on the backs of geese does not seem to have a solid basis in reality. While the idea conjures up an interesting image, nature often works in a much more complex way than we can imagine. The migratory journey of hummingbirds is truly an amazing feat, and their survival depends on the natural abilities and strategies they have developed over millions of years of evolution.
