Thousands Of Hummingbirds Are Headed Straight For Texas This Fall
By Katie Lawrence|Published September 21, 2019
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Katie Lawrence
Author
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 began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
It’s common knowledge that birds fly south for the winter, but not everyone is aware of when migration starts or how the process actually works. Hummingbirds fly over Texas on their journey to Mexico each year — and the time to spot them is now. Here’s everything you need to know:
Somewhere around late January, hummingbirds prepare to leave their winter homes in Mexico and migrate into the Southern U.S. and, eventually, as far north as Canada to breed. Conversely, by the time September rolls around, the world’s smallest bird starts moving south to complete the cycle.
A few hummingbird species nest in Texas during the summer instead of continuing on a northward trajectory. Not only these birds, but also others from all over North America, pass over the Lone Star State in great numbers come fall.
Males are the first to migrate, followed by females and juveniles. The most abundant species in Texas is the Ruby-throated hummingbird, as it gathers on the southern coast to gather strength for the final push into Mexico.
Other species you might encounter include the Black-chinned, Lucifer, and Rufous hummingbirds. A handful of species, such as the Anna’s hummingbird, remain in Texas and other subtropical states throughout wintertime – which means you can spot them all year!
It’s a widespread belief that leaving feeders up during fall discourages migration, but in fact, the opposite is true. Hummingbirds must gain weight to support their arduous journey, so providing food helps ensure they don’t starve en route to Mexico.
To make your own nectar, simply mix one part white, granulated sugar with four parts water. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved, and do not add food coloring. In addition to putting up a feeder, you can also plant certain flowers known to attract hummingbirds. These include purple sage, phlox, firecracker plant, and Texas lantana.
Are you an avid birdwatcher? The dense forests of South and East Texas and desert landscape of the west boast more hummingbirds than anywhere else in the state. Big Bend National Park and coastal areas like Padre Island National Seashore are home to year-round resident species.
