Keep Your Eyes Peeled, Thousands Of Hummingbirds Are Headed Right For Texas During Their Migration This Spring
One of the biggest questions on our lips come springtime is, when will hummingbirds arrive in Texas? Hummingbirds embark on two migratory journeys each year: in spring and in fall. Once the spring migration is underway, thousands of the tiny creatures will take to the skies as they prepare to spend the breeding season in the U.S. and Canada. Spring in Texas is a magical time even if you ignore the arrival of these bejeweled little creatures, but catching a glimpse of them makes the season even more wonderful! Do you have a hummingbird feeder out in your yard? If not you’ll want to put out one of the best hummingbird feeders this spring. It’s a great way to ensure you’ll get to spot these quick little creatures. Here’s everything you need to know about the hummingbird migration in Texas:
Hummingbirds are the smallest type of bird on earth by an overwhelming margin, measuring between two and five inches in length. Their name refers to wings that make a distinct buzzing sound due to beating up to 80 times per minute.
Due to their light size and fast wing speed, hummingbirds can travel enormous distances. A hummingbird can fly up to 1,300 miles in one stretch. They may be small, but they're strong!
As evidenced by this 1899 painting, hummingbirds are quite a diverse entourage. In fact, there are currently over 300 recognized species, but only about a dozen regularly migrate northward into the U.S. and Canada.
You're bound to see a few different species of hummingbird this spring, all with different colors and plumages.
Breeding occurs during the spring, which means it's a race to the best feeding territories. The striking Anna’s Hummingbird has a clear advantage, as it remains on the West Coast year-round.
This is the springtime migratory path of the Ruby-throated hummingbird, which passes through Texas into early April. Other species follow similar routes, with minor differences based on their final destinations.
Weather and food sources are the driving factors behind the migration, and in recent years hummingbirds have been migrating earlier and earlier to the United States due to the overall warmer weather.
You may be wondering how you can spot hummingbirds in Texas on their migration. To attract hummingbirds and replenish their nutrient stores, put a feeder outside your home! Not only are they adorable to look at, but keeping them well-fed also supports the completion of their migration.
You don't have to purchase anything fancy, just a basic hummingbird feeder like those from Home Depot will do. Make sure to just use plain sugar and water in your feeder - no dye is necessary. The red dye that some people use can actually harm the little creatures. It's best to stick as close to their natural food source as possible.
Many offspring will result from a successful season. After growing into adult birds, they'll migrate back southward for winter and begin the whole process all over again.
It's a very quick process for hummingbirds. The offspring that are born in the spring will be ready to migrate back with the adults in the fall.
Aren't these little guys just the cutest things? Fun fact: hummingbirds have the highest metabolic rate of any animal and consume up to half their weight in nectar each day!
That's all the more reason to put out a feeder, these guys need to be eating near constantly to sustain that high rate of movement.
Are you looking forward to seeing hummingbirds in Dallas or any other part of Texas this year? While awaiting their arrival, check out this great video of a stunning male Anna’s hummingbird:
If you’re looking for more information about the hummingbird migration in Texas and for more incredible facts, visit the Perkey-Pet website to learn more.
What do you think? Do you plan to watch the hummingbird migration in Texas this year? Have you ever witnessed a hummingbird migration? Let us know in the comments below — we love to hear about your first-hand experiences with miraculous nature like hummingbirds in Texas.
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Hummingbirds In Texas
February 24, 2024
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What types of hummingbirds are in Texas?
Although the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is one of the most common in the United States, you’ll probably see some of the following hummingbird species around the state during the spring migration.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Calliope Hummingbird
Allen’s Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbird
Ruby throated Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Lucifer sheartail
When should I hang a hummingbird feeder in Texas?
Most people put their hummingbird feeders out in the spring when the bulk of the birds are heading north. But if you’d like to feed the year-round birds, consider keeping yours out during the winter months as well. Regardless of what you choose, be sure to set out the best hummingbird feeders for your visitors.
Is it safe to feed hummingbirds in Texas?
Yes, it is absolutely safe to feed hummingbirds in Texas. In fact, they’re going to need fuel for the rest of their journey.
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and changed her major twice (psychology, computer science, and finally criminal justice) before taking a leap of faith and dropping out to pursue a career in freelance writing.
Today, Katie writes for the Texas and Arizona pages of OnlyInYourState.com and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee, watching a crime TV show or scary movie.
