If you live in Colorado, you know that birds are not hard to come by, especially common breeds like robins, meadowlarks, and — depending on your whereabouts — hummingbirds. While hummingbirds are a local favorite, they can be hard to both attract and spot, which is why we always look forward to fall, when they begin their significant migration south in search of warmer temperatures:
Spanning from late August through most of September is the hummingbird fall migration when tens of thousands of these tiny birds begin their annual trip back to Mexico and Central America.
Every year, the hummingbird spends the cold winter months in warm and humid climates and then begins traveling north around February to reach their southern U.S. breeding grounds.
Much like butterflies, hummingbirds have an internal calendar that tells them when it is time to move south, which is further solidified by the shorter days and a lack of nectar and flowers.
Needless to say, the move south is a lot of work for these small-winged birds, whose heart beats up to 1,260 times a minute, wings flap 15 to 80 times a second, and still travel and upwards of 23 miles per day!
Do you want to help the hummingbirds out on their journey? Experts recommend setting out fresh sugar water for the birds, which should be emptied approximately 2 weeks after your last bird sighting.
Since there are many different kinds of hummingbirds, you can expect to see different ones throughout their migration, including the common Ruby-Throated, brown and green Rufous, and Purple-throated Calliope.