When Do Hummingbirds Leave Texas?

Hummingbirds are one of the most beautiful birds that are an absolute joy to watch at any time of the year. Even though they are tiny in size, they have amazing qualities that always impress birdwatchers. 

Every year, bird lovers eagerly anticipate the arrival of hummingbird season. During this time, the birds come to breed, build nests, and find food.

Every year, these delightful birds live in Texas, a big state in the South-central part of the country. However, as the seasons change, so do their migration patterns. Let’s find out when Hummingbirds leave the Lone Star state.

When Do Hummingbirds Leave Texas?

Hummingbirds often leave Texas in September. At the same time, the last of the migrating species departs the state at the end of October. However, the exact yearly departure time of hummingbirds can vary based on where they are in the state and their species. 

Also, it is important to know that hummingbird migration patterns in Texas can change each year.

Related post to read about Best Hummingbird Feeders.

Frequently Found Hummingbirds Species In Texas

Texans are fortunate because they can see many types of hummingbird species every year.

In the past, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has recorded up to 18 hummingbird species that were seen in the state. The most recent sighting was in 2012. 

However, the two most common hummingbird species in Texas are the Black-chinned and  Ruby-throated.  

Texas also attracts other types of migrating hummingbirds, such as the Broad-tailed, Buff-bellied, Blue-throated mountain gem, Calliope, Rufous, and Lucifer hummingbirds. 

While these hummingbird species are not usually seen in Texas, there have been sightings. The hummingbirds include Anna’s, Allen’s, Broad-billed, Costa’s, Green-breasted mango, Mexican Violetear, Rivoli’s, Violet Crowned, and White-eared hummingbirds.

Where Can You Find Hummingbirds In Texas?

Thanks to its diverse landscapes and abundant floral resources, Texas is a welcoming haven for hummingbirds. And that’s why you can find them in different locations across Texas. 

Some of Texas’s most popular spots to find hummers (hummingbirds) include the Big Bend National Park, Gulf Coast, Davis Mountains, and Hill Country. 

While hummingbirds can be frequently sighted in these locations, you can also attract them to your yard by creating a welcoming environment for them. 

When Do Hummingbirds Arrive In Texas?

From early to mid-March, migrating species to Texas – the Ruby-throated and Black-Chinned begin their entry into the state. But, due to variations in hummingbird species and weather conditions, you can sometimes find them arriving in mid-May.

Do Hummingbirds Arrive In Texas At The Same Time?

No, it is impossible for these tiny birds to arrive in Texas at the same time since they don’t travel in flocks like many other birds. 

Typically, male hummingbirds are always the first to arrive in the state. They arrive early to establish their territories, while the females grace the state with their presence some weeks later.

Basically, their arrival time varies depending on the weather conditions as well as the migration route taken by different species. 

Do Hummingbirds Visit The Whole State Of Texas?

Texas is one of the largest states in the US, covering 268,597 square miles.

Hummingbirds can visit the entire state of Texas but at different times. Just in case it’s hummingbird season, but you’re yet to see them, then just be patient; they’re likely en route.

Do Hummingbirds Spend All Year In Texas?

Typically, hummingbirds can reside in Texas all year round, depending on certain factors. Primary factors that determine if they can stay in Texas throughout the year are the hummingbird species and weather conditions. 

The Buff-bellied hummingbird can be observed year-round by residents living along the southern coasts of Texas, especially those near South Padre Island and Corpus Christi.

Black-chinned hummingbirds stay in southern regions near the Rio Grande Valley all year, while Rufous hummingbirds may over-winter in the southern parts of Texas.

How Can You Prepare For The Arrival Of Hummingbirds?

If you’ve been looking forward to hummingbird season, it is necessary for you to know how to prepare for their long-awaited arrival.

One of the best ways to prepare for their arrival is to grow native plants that provide their primary food source – nectar from flowers. After their long journey to the state, these birds need to refuel. The more you plant a variety of colourful flowers, the better your chances of attracting them are!

Growing plants doesn’t just provide a food source for these birds; it also provides them with shelter to rest after their long journeys to Texas.

You can also provide hummingbird feeders to supplement their diet since they enjoy feeding from a variety of food choices.

What Kinds Of Plants Should Be Grown To Attract Hummingbirds In Texas?

The best plants to attract hummingbirds in Texas are trumpet creeper, cigar plant, flame acanthus, Turk’s cup, coral honeysuckle, Indian paintbrush, lantana, milkweed, bluebonnet, Mexican buckeye, horsemint, salvia, and autumn sage. 

Can Feeders Attract Hummingbirds In Texas?

Yes, you can attract hummingbirds to your garden by hanging Hummingbird feeders. Hummers are naturally attracted to vibrant colours, so it’s best you buy colourful feeders in vibrant shades of red, pink or orange. 

A word of precaution: please don’t colour the solution in your feeder with dyes, as this can harm the birds.

Remember that the nectar you provide them in your feeders is artificial nectar prepared with sugar and water. This solution is recommended to be made with a cup of white sugar and 4 cups of water (standard measurement). 

And if you don’t want to make the solution yourself, you can easily buy pre-made nectar from stores. Just fill it up in your feeders and hang it outside your apartment window or on tree branches.

Ensure that you maintain consistency in changing the nectar solution regularly because sugar can ferment quickly.

When Should You Put Out Your Hummingbird Feeders In Texas?

Hummingbird feeders should be put out at least a week before these special bird visitors arrive in town. In Texas, you can put up your feeders by early March to attract early migrants visiting the state. 

When Should Hummingbird Feeders Be Taken Down In Texas?

A general rule of thumb is to take down your feeders at least 2 weeks after you last sight hummingbirds at your feeders. But since most migrating hummingbirds bid goodbye to Texas by the end of October, it’s fine to take down your feeders by early November. 

However, you can leave out your feeders to feed some migrating species that overwinter in the state. Old and injured species that are unable to migrate will also benefit if you leave your feeders out. Bear in mind that you have to change the solution to avoid harming the birds.

Where Do Hummingbirds From Texas Migrate To In The Winter?

When these tiny birds leave Texas in the winter, they migrate to south  Central American countries such as Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.

Conclusion

When the hummingbird season is over, it seems like just yesterday when they came into town. As these tiny marvels say goodbye to Texas, they embark on incredible journeys to countries in Central America. But guess what? These unique birds have excellent memories and will return to your garden in future seasons if you create a welcoming environment for them.

And that’s it on this article; I hope you found it helpful. If you do, please leave your feedback in the comment section below.

Until next time, thanks for reading. 

Useful Links:

Related Posts to Read – Hummingbirds Migrations:

• When Do Hummingbirds Leave Ohio?
• When Do Hummingbirds Leave Michigan?
• When Do Hummingbirds Leave Pennsylvania?
• When Do Hummingbirds Leave Florida?
• When Do Hummingbirds Leave Oregon?
• When Do Hummingbirds Leave New York?
• When Do Hummingbirds Leave Oklahoma?
• When Do Hummingbirds Leave Minnesota?
• When Do Hummingbirds Leave South Carolina?
• When Do Hummingbirds Leave Louisiana?
• When Do Hummingbirds Leave Virginia?

Related Posts to Read:

• Do Hummingbirds Beaks Open When Feeding?
• The Mysteries of Hummingbird Flight.
• 6 Fascinating Facts About Hummingbird Sizes.
• Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Migration Map.
• Where Do Hummingbirds Go When It Rains?

References:

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• Rico-Guevara A, Rubega MA, Hurme KJ, Dudley R. Shifting Paradigms in the Mechanics of Nectar Extraction and Hummingbird Bill Morphology. Integr Org Biol. 2019 Jan 2;1(1):oby006. doi: 10.1093/iob/oby006. PMID: 33791513; PMCID: PMC7671138.
• Tyrrell LP, Goller B, Moore BA, Altshuler DL, Fernández-Juricic E. The Orientation of Visual Space from the Perspective of Hummingbirds. Front Neurosci. 2018 Jan 30;12:16. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00016. PMID: 29440985; PMCID: PMC5797624.
• Hummingbirds Sighting (Journey North Map).
• About Hummingbird’s Characteristics.