Rhode Island Hummingbird Migration: 3 Awesome Travelers
Ten common questions regarding the migration of Rhode Island hummingbirds are discussed in this article.
When do hummingbirds arrive in Rhode Island?
The earliest arrivals of Rhode Island hummingbirds are seen in mid-to-late April, with peak migration occurring in April and May.
Rhode Island 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 hummingbird to arrive in Rhode Island .
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 by: Rekha Pawar
Rhode Island hummingbirds starting their spring migration north from Panama City, Panama need to fly about 4,675 miles over land or 2.375 miles flying across the Gulf of America to reach Providence.
Rhode Island hummingbirds starting their journey north from Mexico, at the United States’ southernmost border at Brownsville Texas, need to fly 1,846 miles to reach Providence.
What are the most common hummingbirds seen in Rhode Island?
The Ruby-throated hummingbirds are by far the most common hummingbirds seen in Rhode Island, with the Rufous hummingbird being a distant second.
These are Rhode Island’s statistics at the beginning of 2025 as reported by ebird.org
- On average, out of 10,000 hummingbird sightings in Rhode Island, 9,918 will be Ruby-throated.
- On average, out of 10,000 hummingbird sightings in Rhode Island, 81 will be Rufous.
Photo by: dgen.photos
Photo by: Kevin Walsh
Are there Rhode Island hummingbirds that live in the state year-round?
There are no hummingbird species that live in Rhode Island year-round, however, the Nature Conservancy Rhode Island (TNCRI) Instagram page, recently suggests that in March of 2025 there was the first documented female Rufous hummingbird overwintering in Rhode Island.
All other hummingbird species found in Rhode Island are migratory and leave for warmer climates in the fall.
A Rare Overwintering Hummingbird In Rhode Island:
Rufous hummingbird.
Photo by: Kevin Walsh
The general public is unaware of how cold-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.
Read my article:
3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded
What hummingbirds breed and nest in Rhode Island?
The Ruby-throated hummingbird is the only hummingbird that breeds and nests in Rhode Island.
All other hummingbirds seen in Rhode Island are just passing through to their nesting destination, somewhere near their own bird.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds 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 by: MaryLou Ziebarth
Ruby-Throated Breeding Map
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 raise two families per year in Rhode Island.
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 Rhode Island?
Rhode Island hummingbird enthusiasts should put out hummingbird feeders in late April to early May to attract the very earliest arriving migrating hummingbirds, according to the Audubon Society of Rhode Island (ASRI).
Approximately one week after the arrival of the male hummingbirds, the females will follow.
Keep feeders up throughout the peak hummingbird season between April through September.
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.
Photo by: dgen.photos
Many Rhode Island hummingbird admirers leave their hummingbird feeders up all winter long to provide life-nourishing nectar to some hummingbird species that choose to overwinter or those unable to migrate due to injury or old age.
However, most of these hummingbirds will not spend the winter in Rhode Island and will decide to migrate south for the winter.
How long do hummingbirds stay in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island hummingbirds stay in the state for at least six months.
They will start arriving as early as mid-to-late April and most will be gone by early October.
Some Rufous hummingbirds can overwinter in Rhode Island, although rare, but most migrate south for the winter.
No hummingbird species live in Rhode Island year-round.
The Nature Conservancy Rhode Island (TNCRI) Instagram page, recently suggests that in March of 2025 there was the first documented female Rufous hummingbird overwintering in Rhode Island, however most migrate south for the winter.
Hummingbird Seasons in Rhode Island
| Season: | Activity: |
| Mid-to-late April | First arriving (Ruby-throated) |
| Late May to early July | Peak season for nesting and breeding |
| Late August – Early October | Fall migration |
| Late October – Beyond | Rare overwintering species (Rufous) |
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
Scarlet Bee Balm – (Monarda didyma)
Photo by: Andy Raupp
The most common Rhode Island hummingbird seen during the hot summer months will be the Ruby-throated hummingbird.
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 Rhode Island by early October.
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.
Other hummingbirds that are too old or injured to migrate can occasionally choose to overwinter in Rhode Island, however most migrate south for the winter.
See my article:
11 DIY Ways to Keep Hummingbird Nectar From Freezing
When do Rhode Island hummingbirds leave the state?
Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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 the first week of 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 Rhode Island hummingbird to migrate?
A Rhode Island hummingbird requires 62 hours of flying at its average migrating flight speed of 30mph to fly from Providence to the most distant Mexican border 1,846 miles away.
Hummingbirds migrating to Panama 2,314 miles across the Gulf of America or 4,675 over land, will need to fly 71 or 156 hours respectively.
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 Rhode Island?
October or after a few weeks without any hummingbird sightings, is the ideal time to remove Rhode Island hummingbird feeders for the winter.
Feeders can be up all winter to feed some 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.
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 Rhode Island and will decide to migrate south for the winter.
Where do Rhode Island hummingbirds go in the winter?
Rhode Island’s Ruby-throated, Rufous, and Calliope migrating hummingbirds travel south to winter in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds overwinter primarily in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.
They 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.
Ruby-Throated Over-Wintering Map
Rufous hummingbirds overwinter 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.
Rufous Over-Wintering Map
Calliope hummingbirds overwinter primarily on the west coast of Mexico. Calliope hummingbirds are seen in some years, during winter months, in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.
Calliope Over-Wintering Map
All hummingbirds have excellent memories and can remember every flower or feeder they have visited during migration and will return to those sites along their migration pathway year after year.
Some hummingbirds have been spotted returning to a feeder for a couple of years after the feeder was removed.
To see all the hummingbirds seen in Rhode Island
Read my article:
Rhode Island Hummingbirds: 3 Awesome Documented Species
Happy Hummingbird Watching!
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