Rufous Hummingbird Migration Facts

Rufous Hummingbird Migration Facts

Migrant: Rufous Hummingbird
Scientific Name: Selasphorus rufus
Conservation Status: Least Concern (Population decreasing)

The Rufous Hummingbird makes one of the longest migratory journeys of any bird in the world, as measured by body size.                 

At just over 3 inches long, its roughly 3,900-mile movement (one-way) from Alaska to Mexico is equivalent to 78,470,000 body lengths. In comparison, the 13-inch-long Arctic Tern's one-way flight of about 11,185 mi is only 51,430,000 body lengths.                  

The Rufous Hummingbird's migration route forms a clockwise loop: The birds leave their Mexican wintering grounds in early spring, arriving in Washington State and Canada by May, via a long flight up the Pacific Coast.

After a short sojourn in the North – some birds begin back as early as July – they travel south through the Rocky Mountains.

SOURCES:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org
https://abcbirds.org