South Carolina Hummingbird Migration: 9 Majestic Travelers

Nine common questions regarding the migration of South Carolina hummingbirds are discussed in this article.

When do hummingbird arrive in South Carolina?

The earliest arrivals of South Carolina hummingbirds are seen in mid-March, with peak migration occurring in late April through early May.
South Carolina 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 South Carolina hummingbirds and will be the first migrating hummingbirds to be seen in the state.

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

South Carolina hummingbirds starting their spring migration north from Panama City, Panama need to fly about 3,912 miles over land or 1,724 miles flying across the Gulf of America to reach Columbia, South Carolina.

South Carolina hummingbirds starting their journey north from Mexico, at the United States’ southernmost border at Brownsville Texas, need to fly 1,132 miles to reach Columbia, South Carolina.

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

There are no hummingbird species that live in South Carolina year-round, however, some Rufous, Black-chinned, and Calliope hummingbirds are occasionally seen in the middle of winter in the state.

All other hummingbird species found in Rhode Island are migratory and leave for warmer climates in the fall.

Rare Overwintering Hummingbirds In South Carolina:
(Rufous, Black-Chinned, and Calliope)
Listed in Order of Frequently Seen

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

Which South Carolina hummingbirds breed and nest in the state?

The Ruby-throated hummingbird is the only hummingbird that breeds and nests in South Carolina.
All other hummingbirds seen in South Carolina 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.

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 South 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 South Carolina Hummingbirds?

South Carolina hummingbird enthusiasts should put out hummingbird feeders in mid-March to attract the very earliest arriving migrating hummingbirds.
Approximately one week after the arrival of the male hummingbirds, the females will follow.

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

How long do South Carolina hummingbirds stay in the state?

South Carolina hummingbirds stay in the state for at least seven months.
They will start arriving as early as mid-March and most will be gone by October.

Some Rufous, Black-chinned, and Calliope hummingbirds can choose to overwinter in South Carolina, although rare, however most migrate south for the winter.
No hummingbird species live in South Carolina year-round.

Hummingbird Seasons in South Carolina

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

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 South Carolina hummingbirds seen during the hot summer months will be the Ruby-throated hummingbird with the Rufous 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 in late July and most hummingbirds will be gone from South Carolina by 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 South Carolina, however most migrate south for the winter.

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

When do South Carolina hummingbirds leave the state?

South 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.
No hummingbirds live in South Carolina year-round.

Hummingbird peak activity for fall migration in South Carolina is in September.

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 South Carolina hummingbird to migrate?

It takes a South Carolina hummingbird 37 hours of flying at its average migrating flight speed of 30mph to fly from Columbia to the most distant Mexican border 1,132 miles away.
Hummingbirds migrating to Panama 1,724 miles across the Gulf of America or 3,912 over land, will need to fly 57 or 130 hours respectively.

Some fly at a 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 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 South Carolina?

October or after a few weeks without any hummingbird sightings, is the ideal time to remove South Carolina 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 South Carolina and will decide to migrate south for the winter.

Where do South Carolina hummingbirds go in the winter?

South Carolina’s Ruby-throated, Rufous, Black-chinned, Buff-bellied, Calliope, Broad-billed, and Broad-tailed migrating hummingbirds travel south to 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.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds overwinters 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.

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.

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

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.

Anna’s hummingbirds overwinter primarily in Southern California and the upper parts of Baja and Mexico.
They 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-billed hummingbirds overwinter primarily in Mexico.
They are seen in some years, during winter months, in scattered areas throughout the USA including Texas, Arizona, Louisiana, Florida, and Utah.

Allen’s hummingbirds overwinter 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.

Broad-tailed hummingbirds overwinter primarily in Mexico and Guatemala. Broad-tailed hummingbirds are seen in some years, during winter months, in scattered areas in Western Texas.

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.

To see all the hummingbirds seen in South Carolina
Read my article:
South Carolina Hummingbird Migration: 10 Majestic Travelers

Happy Hummingbird Watching!

Check out my other posts on Hummingbird Questions