Hummingbirds are a captivating presence in Florida, adding flashes of emerald green and ruby red to gardens across the state. These tiny, high-energy birds are a common sight, prompting many residents to wonder about their presence throughout the year. Florida’s unique geography and subtropical climate create a complex pattern of summer breeding, migratory stopovers, and winter residency. This ensures a continuous, though varying, presence of the species throughout the year.
Residency Status: The Short Answer
The simple answer is that Florida hosts hummingbirds every month, but the individual birds are often different populations. Florida is not a strict year-round home for the majority of the most common species, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are highly migratory, using Florida as a temporary stopover or wintering ground. However, the mild climate and year-round food sources in Central and South Florida allow a small number of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds to overwinter there. This continuous presence results from summer breeding populations overlapping with wintering birds from other regions.
The Primary Migrant: Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is the most dominant species observed in Florida and the only one confirmed to breed in the state. Their annual pattern centers around spring and fall migrations. Males typically begin arriving from their wintering grounds in Central America and Mexico in March, with females following about a week later.
The species breeds primarily in North and Central Florida during the summer, with nesting activity beginning in April. The majority of the population begins its southward journey in late August, with peak migration occurring in September. By mid-October, most birds have departed, often using Florida as a launchpad for a non-stop flight across the Gulf of Mexico to their winter destinations.
Florida’s Wintering and Accidental Species
Once the Ruby-throated population migrates south, a distinct group of wintering birds arrives, contributing to year-round sightings. These winter visitors often breed in the western United States but take an unusual easterly migration path. The Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is one of the most common winter visitors, along with the Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri).
These western species, including the Buff-bellied, Calliope, and Allen’s hummingbirds, are generally observed between November and February. They are found primarily in the Panhandle, Central, and South Florida. The Rufous Hummingbird is often the most common overwintering species banded by researchers in the eastern U.S. These wintering birds rely on the state’s mild weather and available food sources until they begin their return migration in late winter.
Supporting Hummingbirds in Florida
Maintaining a reliable food source is the most effective way to support the diverse hummingbird populations in Florida, especially during winter. Feeders should contain a simple mixture of one part plain white sugar to four parts water. This solution should be changed and the feeder cleaned every few days to prevent mold. Avoid using red dyes in homemade nectar, as the dye is unnecessary and potentially harmful to the birds.
Providing native, nectar-rich plants is a more sustainable food source than feeders and helps them acquire necessary nutrients. Excellent native choices for Florida include Firebush (Hamelia patens), Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), and Coral Bean (Erythrina herbacea). These plants, which often feature tubular red or orange blossoms, are naturally attractive and should be planted to ensure a continuous bloom cycle. Hummingbirds also require a steady supply of small insects for protein, so avoiding broad-spectrum pesticides in the garden is beneficial for their health.