Hummingbird Migration in Wisconsin

Ten common questions about the migration of Wisconsin hummingbirds are discussed in this article.
There are 8 hummingbirds documented as hummingbirds seen in Wisconsin.

When do hummingbirds arrive in Wisconsin?

The earliest arrivals of Wisconsin hummingbirds are seen in mid-to-late April, with peak migration occurring in May.
Wisconsin hummingbirds begin their spring migration north from as far away as Panama or as close as Mexico.

The first migrating hummingbirds will be males, followed by females about a week later. The males arrive first to stake out the territory that they will defend as they try to attract a female.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are by far the most commonly seen and are the first migrating hummingbirds to be seen in Wisconsin.

Watch for the male’s vividly colored gorget; a week or so later, the females will begin to appear at your feeders.

Read my article:
How to Identify a Hummingbird’s Gender in 4 Easy Steps

Photo taken: Wisconsin

Hummingbirds starting their spring migration from Panama need to fly about 4,000 miles to reach Wisconsin.

Hummingbirds starting their journey from Mexico need to fly about 1,550 miles to reach Wisconsin.

What are the most common hummingbirds seen in Wisconsin?

The Ruby-throated hummingbirds are by far the most common hummingbirds seen in Wisconsin, with the Rufous hummingbird being a distant second.

These are Wisconsin’s statistics at the end of 2023 as reported by ebird.org

• On average, out of 10,000 hummingbird sightings in Wisconsin, 9,939 will be Ruby-throated.
• On average, out of 10,000 hummingbird sightings in Wisconsin, 39 will be Rufous.

Photo Taken: Marquette County, Wisconsin.

Are there Wisconsin hummingbirds that live in the state year-round?

There are no hummingbird species that live in Wisconsin year-round.
The only hummingbirds that can be seen in the middle of winter are those that are too old or injured to migrate.

The general public is unaware of how cold-tolerant hummingbirds actually are.
According to eBird.org, through branding practices in Wisconsin, the Rufous and Ruby-throated hummingbirds are documented to survive in temperatures of -9F and wind chills of -36F.

See my article:
3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

What hummingbirds breed and nest in Wisconsin?

The Ruby-throated hummingbird is the only hummingbird that breeds and nests in Wisconsin.
All other hummingbirds continue north to their preferred nesting area, somewhere near their own birth.

Breeding map for hummingbird that breed and nest in Wisconsin, reported by ebird.org

• Ruby-throated

The Ruby-throated hummingbird has an extensive breeding area that covers the entire eastern half of the United States and extends into Canada as far west as Alberta.

Photo Taken: Marquette County, Wisconsin.

The entire reason for northern migration, much like salmon swimming upstream to their place of birth to lay eggs, is to return to the area where they were born to mate, build a nest, and raise a family.
Once the breeding grounds have been reached, focus turns to finding a partner with which to mate.

Each species of male hummingbirds has its own unique mating dance ritual of courtship to attract a female. They do perfectly choreographed dives and dance maneuvers to attract a flirty female.

See my article: 
Hummingbird Dance: 5 Interpretive Explanations

There is no penetration during the mating ritual as male hummingbirds do not have any external sexual organs.

The mating process only lasts for approximately 3-5 seconds while the cloacae (kloh-ay-see) of both hummingbirds are pressed together in what is called the “Cloacal Kiss” (kloh-a-coal kiss).

After the Cloacal kiss, the female must begin building the nest immediately.
Female hummingbirds prefer building nests 10 to 20 feet off the ground in deciduous trees.
It will take her between 5 and 7 days to construct the nest of materials such as plant down, moss, and fine plant fibers, decorated with lichens and held together by spider webs.

See my article: 
Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)

See my article: 
Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

Hummingbirds usually lay 2 eggs per brood, one each on consecutive days.

On average, the Ruby-throated hummingbird will raise two families per year in Wisconsin.
However, there are occasions where they are able to work in an additional family for a total of three families per year.

When should I put out hummingbird feeders in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin hummingbird enthusiasts should put out hummingbird feeders in mid-April or the first of second week of the month to attract migrating hummingbirds.
The peak spring migration period occurs in late April to early May, therefore having your feeders ready early will help attract these tiny travelers.

Recommended Timeline for Feeders in Wisconsin:

• Mid-April: Put up feeders to welcome early arrivals.
• Late April – August: Keep feeders up through the summer when hummingbirds are actively breeding and nesting.
• September – Early October: Many hummingbirds start migrating south. Keep feeders up until at least two weeks after you see the last one, usually by mid to late October.

Many leave their hummingbird feeders up all year for the cold-tolerant hummingbirds that may over-winter in Wisconsin, or for the old or injured unable to migrate.

Approximately one week after the arrival of the male hummingbirds, the females will follow.

Keep feeders up throughout the hummingbird season in Wisconsin between mid-April through mid-October.
Make sure to use high-quality nectar solutions in your hummingbird feeders; homemade nectar works best.

See my article:
Forget Commercial Hummingbird Food, Try Making Homemade Nectar

See my article:
The One Thing You Need to Eliminate From a Hummingbird’s Diet

Clean feeders regularly (every 2-3 days in hot weather) to prevent mold and bacteria.
Place feeders in partially shaded areas to keep nectar fresh longer.

How long do hummingbirds stay in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin hummingbirds stay in the state for at least six months.
They will start arriving as early as mid-April and most will be gone by mid-October.
No hummingbird species live in Wisconsin year-round.

Hummingbird Seasons in Wisconsin

Season:	Activity:
Mid-to-late-April	First arriving (Ruby-throated)
May – August	Peak season for feeding and nesting
September – Late October	Fall migration No overwintering hummingbirds

Hummingbirds have exceptional memories and will remember every flower or feeder they visited on the spring migration and will return to those nectar sources on their return southern migration in the fall.

See my article: 
Hummingbird Adaptation and Remarkable Ability to Locate Food

The most common hummingbirds Wisconsin’s will see during the hot summer months will be the Ruby-throated hummingbird followed by the Rufous hummingbird coming in at a distant second.

When the obstacles of summer heat are difficult to manage and unbearable, finding ways to keep your hummingbirds happy and hydrated with cool nectar is crucial.

See my article:
How to Help Hummingbirds in Hot Weather

Fall migration begins in late August and most hummingbirds will be gone from Wisconsin by mid-October.

Hummingbirds brave enough to over-winter in Wisconsin, or too old or injured to migrate, will be the only likely hummingbirds Wisconsin’s hummingbird enthusiasts will see during the winter.

The general public is unaware of how tolerant hummingbirds actually are.
Some banded hummingbirds have been observed at temperatures as low as -9 degrees Fahrenheit with a wind chill of -36 degrees Fahrenheit, according to eBird.org.

See my article: 
11 DIY Ways to Keep Hummingbird Nectar From Freezing

When do hummingbirds leave Wisconsin?

Wisconsin hummingbirds begin leaving the state as early as late August and by early October they have migrated to their over-wintering areas in Mexico and Central America.
No hummingbirds live in Wisconsin year-round.

A few older hummingbirds will be the first to start the fall migration, depending on their strength and energy, with the youngest hummingbirds finishing the fall migration by mid-October.

Hummingbird migration is triggered by the circadian (internal daily clock) and the circannual (yearly internal clock) rhythm.
Changes in the weather, temperature, time of season, decline in food supply and shorter days with less sunlight are factors that influence the beginning of fall migration.

Similar to spring migration, male hummingbirds are the first to leave and head south for the winter during fall migration.
As soon as the female hummingbirds have finished raising their young and can travel independently, they will set out on their southern fall migration.

How long does it take a Wisconsin hummingbird to migrate?

It takes a Wisconsin hummingbird about 52 hours of flying at its average migrating flight speed of 30 mph to fly from Wisconsin to the Mexican border 1,550 miles away.
Hummingbirds migrating to Panama, 4,000 miles away, will require 133 hours to make the journey south.

Some fly at the relaxed distance as slow as 1 hour per day, others fly up to 500 miles non-stop in about 20 hours as some do while migrating across the Gulf of Mexico.

Hummingbirds do not migrate in flocks as do other migrating birds.
Hummingbirds migrate individually on their own personal time clock.
This staggered migration pattern ensures resources are not consumed and depleted all at one time.

As migration approaches, hummingbirds routinely gain 25% to 50% of their body weight by consuming increased quantities of nectar from feeders and flowering plants as well as catching an increased quantity of bugs mid-air for protein.
This increase in body fat helps fuel the hummingbird on its long migration journey.

Photo Taken: Marquette County, Wisconsin.

The hummingbirds that visited your feeders during the spring migration will remember exactly where your feeder is located and will most likely revisit that same feeder on their way to their over-wintering area in Mexico and Central America.

Maintaining feeders is critical in order to maximize food consumption that nourishes and prepares their bodies for migration.

See my article:
Hummingbird Adaptation and Remarkable Ability to Locate Food

When to take down hummingbird feeders in Wisconsin?

Mid-to-late October or after a few weeks without any hummingbird sightings, is the ideal time to remove Wisconsin hummingbird feeders for the winter.
Feeders are left up all winter by some Wisconsin’s to feed uncommon winter hummingbirds that are too old or injured to migrate.

Hummingbirds are much more tolerant of cold temperatures than most people realize.
They depend on these wintertime feeders and may can die if hummingbird feeders are taken down in the middle of winter during periods of below-freezing temperatures.

According to eBird.org, some banded hummingbirds have been documented in temperatures of -9 degrees Fahrenheit with a wind chill of -36 degrees Fahrenheit.

See my article:
11 DIY Ways to Keep Hummingbird Nectar From Freezing

See my article:
Should I Keep My Hummingbird Feeder Out During the Winter?

Most migrating hummingbirds will not spend the winter in Wisconsin and will decide to migrate south for the winter.

Where do Wisconsin hummingbirds go in the winter?

Wisconsin’s Ruby-throated, Rufous, Green-breasted Mango, Broad-billed, Mexican Violetear, and Buff-bellied migrating hummingbirds travel south to over-winter in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.
Anna’s over-winter in upper Mexico and California.
Allen’s over-winter in lower Mexico and southern California.

See Wisconsin’s wintering hummingbirds map as reported by ebird.org
In order of frequently seen.

• Ruby-throated
• Rufous
• Anna’s
• Allen’s
• Green-breasted Mango
• Broad-billed
• Mexican Violetear
• Buff-bellied

All hummingbirds have excellent memories and can remember every flower or feeder they visited during spring migration and will return to those locations along their migration pathway year after year.

Some hummingbirds have been documented returning to a feeder for a couple of years after it was removed.

See my article:
Hummingbirds Found in Wisconsin: (Pictures and Sounds)

Check out my other posts on Hummingbird Questions

Happy Hummingbird Watching!