North Carolina Hummingbird Migration: 11 Documented Super Aviators

Ten common questions about the migration of North Carolina hummingbirds are discussed in this article.

When do hummingbirds arrive in North Carolina?

The earliest arrivals of North Carolina hummingbirds are seen in late March, with peak migration occurring in April.

North Carolina hummingbirds begin their spring migration north from as far away as Panama or as close as Mexico.
Some cross the Gulf of America in a single nonstop flight, while others travel along the coast.

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 North Carolina.

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

North Carolina hummingbirds starting their spring migration north from Panama City, Panama need to fly about 3,999 miles to reach Raleigh over land and 1,845 miles if flying across the Gulf of America.

North Carolina hummingbirds starting their journey north from Mexico, at the United States’ southernmost border at Brownsville Texas, need to fly 1,681 miles to reach North Carolina.

What are the most common hummingbirds seen in North Carolina?

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

These are North Carolina‘s statistics at the end of 2023 as reported by ebird.org

• On average, out of 10,000 hummingbird sightings in North Carolina, 9,879 will be Ruby-throated.
• On average, out of 10,000 hummingbird sightings in North Carolina, 77 will be Rufous.

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

There are no hummingbird species that live in North Carolina year-round.
However, although rare, some Ruby-throated, Rufous, and Black-chinned hummingbirds are seen in the middle of winter in North Carolina.

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

Rare overwintering hummingbirds in North Carolina include:
(Ruby-throated, Rufous, and Black-chinned)

What hummingbirds breed and nest in North Carolina?

The Ruby-throated hummingbird is the only hummingbird that breeds and nests in North Carolina.
Most Ruby-throated hummingbirds will raise two broods in North Carolina but some of the early arriving or late leaving Ruby-throated hummingbirds will have enough time to raise a third brood in the same year.

According to North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (NCMNS) and breeding map by ebird.org, the Ruby-throated hummingbird is the only hummingbird that breeds in the eastern United States, including North Carolina.

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.

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 North Carolina.
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 North Carolina?

North Carolina hummingbird enthusiasts should put out hummingbird feeders in late March or approximately two weeks before their expected arrival to attract the earliest migrating hummingbirds.
The peak spring migration period occurs in April.

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

Keep feeders up throughout the hummingbird season in North Carolina between late March through 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.

Many leave their hummingbird feeders up all year for the cold-tolerant hummingbirds that may over-winter in North Carolina (Ruby-throated, Rufous, and Black-chinned), or for the old or injured and unable to migrate.

Quick Guide: Hummingbird Feeders in North Carolina

Areas in North Carolina:	Time:
East Coast (Wilmington)	Late March to early April
Piedmont Region (Raleigh, Charlotte)	First week of April
Mountain areas (Asheville)	Mid to late April

How long do North Carolina hummingbirds stay in the state?

North Carolina hummingbirds stay in the state for at least seven months.
They will start arriving as early as late March and most will be gone by October.
Some migrating hummingbirds can choose to overwinter in North Carolina.
No hummingbird species live in North Carolina year-round.

Hummingbird Seasons in North Carolina

Season:	Activity:
Late March	First arriving (Ruby-throated)
April – July	Peak season for nesting and breeding
Late July – October	Fall migration
October – Beyond	Rare overwintering species (Ruby-throated, Rufous, Black-chinned)

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

Peak spring migrating hummingbirds arrive in North Carolina in late March to April, where the males arrive first to establish territories and the females follow a week or two later.

During the breeding season, Ruby-throated hummingbirds remain in North Carolina to mate, build nests, and raise their young.

As summer sets in, the number of spring migrating hummingbirds that visit North Carolina feeders will decrease.

The most common migrating seasonal Ruby-throated hummingbirds in North Carolina brave through the heat and humidity and will be the vast majority of hummingbirds seen in North Carolina’s summer months, with the Rufous hummingbirds being 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 as early as late July and most hummingbirds will be gone from North Carolina by October.

Some Ruby-throated, Rufous, and Black-chinned hummingbirds can overwinter in North Carolina, although rare, however most migrate south for the winter.

Hummingbirds can withstand far lower temperatures than most people think.
According to eBird.org, through branding practices, the Ruby-throated and Rufous hummingbirds are documented surviving in temperatures of -9F and wind chills of -36F.

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

When do North Carolina hummingbirds leave the state?

North Carolina hummingbirds begin leaving the state as early as late July and by October they have migrated to their over-wintering areas in Mexico and Central America.
Anna’s over-winter in upper Mexico and California.
Allen’s over-winter in lower Mexico and southern California.

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 October.

No hummingbird species live in North Carolina year-round, however some Ruby-throated, Rufous, and Black-chinned hummingbirds can choose to overwinter in the state, along with those too old or injured to migrate.

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 North Carolina hummingbirds to migrate?

It takes North Carolina hummingbirds 56 hours of flying at its average flight speed of 30mph to fly from Raleigh to the most distant Mexican border 1,681 miles away.
Hummingbirds migrating to Panama 1,845 miles across the Gulf of America, or 3,999 miles over land, will need to fly 61 hours or 133 hours respectively.

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

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.

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 should I take down my hummingbird feeders in North Carolina ?

October or after a few weeks without any hummingbird sightings, is the ideal time to remove North Carolina hummingbird feeders for the winter.
Feeders are left up all winter by some North Carolinians to feed uncommon overwintering, migrating or injured hummingbirds, but removal in mid-winter can be fatal.

Leaving feeders up does not stop migration; hummingbirds leave based on instinct and daylight changes, not food availability.

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 North Carolina and will decide to migrate south for the winter.

Where do North Carolina hummingbirds go in the winter?

North Carolina’s Ruby-throated, Rufous, Black-chinned, Calliope, Buff-bellied, Broad-billed, Broad-tailed, Green-breasted Mango, and Mexican Violetear 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.

Some Ruby-throated, Rufous, and Black-chinned hummingbirds can choose to overwinter in North Carolina.

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

Ruby-throated hummingbirds overwinters primarily in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds are seen in some years, during the winter months, in scattered areas throughout the USA including New Mexico, Texas, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

Rufous hummingbirds overwinters primarily in Mexico.
They are seen in some years, during the winter months, in scattered areas throughout the USA including New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

Black-chinned hummingbirds overwinters primarily in Mexico.
They are seen in some years, during winter months, in scattered areas throughout the USA including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, North Carolina, and as far north as Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Calliope – The Calliope hummingbird overwinters primarily on the west coast of Mexico.
They are seen in some years, during winter months, in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.

Buff-bellied – The Buff-bellied hummingbirds are not really migratory and live year-round in Southern Texas and the Gulf Coast of America.

Broad-billed – The Broad-billed hummingbird overwinters primarily in Mexico.
They are seen in some years, during the winter months, in scattered areas throughout the USA, including Texas, Arizona, Louisiana, Florida, and Utah.

Anna’s – The Anna’s hummingbird overwinters primarily in Southern California and the upper parts of Baja and Mexico. Anna’s hummingbirds are seen in some years, during winter months, in scattered areas throughout the USA including Texas, Missouri, Illinois (Chicago area), Maryland, Utah, and Idaho.

Broad-tailed – The Broad-tailed hummingbird overwinters primarily in Mexico and Guatemala. They are seen in some years, during winter months, in scattered areas in Western Texas.

Allen’s hummingbirds overwinters primarily in Southern California.
They are seen in some years, during winter months, in scattered areas throughout the USA including Texas, Tennessee, and as far north as Maryland, New York, and Wisconsin.

Green-breasted Mango – The Green-breasted Mango hummingbird overwinters primarily in Southern Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.

Mexican Violetear – The Mexican Violetear hummingbird overwinters primarily in Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras.
They are seen in some years, during winter months, in scattered areas throughout the USA including Arizona, Texas, and Louisiana.

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 North Carolina: (Pictures and Sounds)

Check out my other posts on Hummingbird Questions

Happy Hummingbird Watching!