Migrations: Tiny Bird, Epic Journey

In the spring, Rufous Hummingbirds journey from Mexico to the northwest U.S., some as far north as Alaska! That’s almost 1000 miles one way for a bird measuring just under four inches beak to tail, making this the longest migration of any bird relative to body length. Not long after arriving, they bulk up on nectar and bugs for the scenic return trip over the Rocky Mountains.

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BirdNote^®

Tiny Bird, Epic Journey

Written by Ariana Remmel

This is BirdNote.
[Rufous Hummingbird flying, https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/73025891]
Don’t be fooled by the gentle whirring sound of a hummingbird in flight. This male Rufous Hummingbird performs elegant – and aggressive – courtship displays to defend his territory. And he may travel hundreds of miles to find a mate.
[Rufous Hummingbird call and flying https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/238383781]
In the spring, Rufous Hummingbirds journey up the Pacific Coast from Mexico to the northwestern corner of the U.S. Some go even as far north as Alaska! That’s almost 1000 miles one way for a bird measuring just under four inches beak to tail, making this one of the longest migrations of any bird relative to body length.
But after completing one journey, the hummingbirds have to prepare for another. As fall approaches, they sip nectar and catch insects to pack on fat that will power their passage back to the tropics -- this time taking the scenic route over the Rocky Mountains.
But not all hummingbirds of the same species migrate at the same time.
[Rufous Hummingbird call and flying https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/238383781]
This male Rufous Hummingbird in the Pacific Northwest gets out of town early! He leaves the breeding grounds as soon as mid-June. Females stay behind to finish their nesting duties before heading south a week or two after the males. And their grown children trail after them in August.
[Rufous Hummingbird call and flying https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/238383781]
For BirdNote, I’m Mark Bramhill.
Today’s show brought to you by the Bobolink Foundation.
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Senior Producer: John Kessler
Production Manager: Allison Wilson
Producer: Mark Bramhill
Associate Producer: Ellen Blackstone
Digital Producer: Conor Gearin
Bird sounds provided by The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. Rufous Hummingbird ML 73025891 recorded by L. Gooch and Rufous Hummingbird ML 238383781 recorded by P. Lucas.
BirdNote’s theme was composed and played by Nancy Rumbel and John Kessler.
© September 2021 BirdNote Narrator: Mark Bramhill