Hummingbirds To Pass Through Texas During Fall Migration

It’s common knowledge that birds fly south for the winter, but not everyone is aware of when migration starts or how the process actually works. Hummingbirds fly over Texas on their journey to Mexico each year — and the time to spot them is now. Here’s everything you need to know:

Somewhere around late January, hummingbirds prepare to leave their winter homes in Mexico and migrate into the Southern U.S. and, eventually, as far north as Canada to breed. Conversely, by the time September rolls around, the world’s smallest bird starts moving south to complete the cycle.

Flickr/Russ Wigh

A few hummingbird species nest in Texas during the summer instead of continuing on a northward trajectory. Not only these birds, but also others from all over North America, pass over the Lone Star State in great numbers come fall.

Flickr/DC Gardens

Males are the first to migrate, followed by females and juveniles. The most abundant species in Texas is the Ruby-throated hummingbird, as it gathers on the southern coast to gather strength for the final push into Mexico.

Wikimedia Commons/Joe Schneid

Other species you might encounter include the Black-chinned, Lucifer, and Rufous hummingbirds. A handful of species, such as the Anna’s hummingbird, remain in Texas and other subtropical states throughout wintertime – which means you can spot them all year!

Wikimedia Commons/Robert McMorran, United States Fish and Wildlife Service

It’s a widespread belief that leaving feeders up during fall discourages migration, but in fact, the opposite is true. Hummingbirds must gain weight to support their arduous journey, so providing food helps ensure they don’t starve en route to Mexico.

Flickr/watts_photos

To make your own nectar, simply mix one part white, granulated sugar with four parts water. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved, and do not add food coloring. In addition to putting up a feeder, you can also plant certain flowers known to attract hummingbirds. These include purple sage, phlox, firecracker plant, and Texas lantana.

Flickr/Gary Lerude

Are you an avid birdwatcher? The dense forests of South and East Texas and desert landscape of the west boast more hummingbirds than anywhere else in the state. Big Bend National Park and coastal areas like Padre Island National Seashore are home to year-round resident species.

Flickr/Ted Gresham

Have you ever spotted a hummingbird in Texas? If so, what species? Let us know all the details, and check out our previous article for another incredible migration occurring this fall: Record Numbers Of Monarch Butterflies To Pass Through Texas Next Month.