WILD Fact: Hummingbirds en route

Although rare, hummingbirds that normally breed in the West may visit Georgia in the winter, sometimes staying until March or April. However, the ruby-throated hummingbird is the only species that breeds in eastern North America.

Right now, these tiny birds are buzzing towards the Southeast at 30- 50 mph, flying all the way from Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean Islands. Their non-stop flight across the Gulf of Mexico takes about 18 to 20 hours. Males typically arrive first and fight for territories that have ample food and nesting spaces, hoping to entice the females that show up shortly thereafter.

WILD Facts is a regular feature written by Linda May, a wildlife interpretive specialist with the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resource Division.