where do hummingbirds go in winter

Hummingbirds, when winter comes, generally migrate from their breeding grounds in the northern United States and Canada to warmer areas such as Mexico and Central America. These tiny birds can fly hundreds or even thousands of miles to reach their winter habitats, often taking two to three weeks depending on rest stops. For example, the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds east of the Mississippi River either fly along the Gulf Coast or take the challenging 500-mile journey across the Gulf of Mexico to their wintering grounds. The Rufous Hummingbird travels even farther, from Alaska to Mexico, covering about 3,900 miles, one of the longest migrations relative to body size among birds. Some hummingbird species, like Anna’s Hummingbird, break the typical migration pattern and stay year-round in milder climates such as the Pacific Coast, including California and up to British Columbia and Alaska. Some species in the Southwest might only migrate short distances or remain in southern parts of the U.S. due to warming temperatures. During winter, hummingbirds survive by entering torpor, a state similar to hibernation, where their metabolic rate and body temperature drop to conserve energy. They also shift their diet more toward insects when nectar sources are scarce. In summary, most hummingbirds migrate south to Mexico and Central America in the winter, but some species reside year-round in warmer U.S. regions, depending on the species and local climate conditions.