Which hummingbird can cross the Gulf of Mexico nonstop during its autumn migration?

The ruby-throated hummingbird can cross the Gulf of Mexico nonstop during its autumn migration.

This species breeds across much of eastern North America and winters mainly in Mexico and Central America. Some birds migrate along the coast, but others make a direct Gulf crossing of roughly 800 kilometres. The journey can take around 18 to 24 hours, depending on winds and conditions.

To prepare, the birds nearly double their body mass by storing fat, which provides fuel for sustained flight. They may also cross the Gulf in spring, although many spring migrants follow land routes through Texas and Mexico. Weather, age, sex, and local geography all affect the route individual birds take.

The ruby-throated hummingbird is named for the male’s iridescent red throat, called a gorget. Females lack the bright red throat and have a white-tipped tail. It is the only hummingbird species that regularly breeds in eastern North America, making its Gulf crossing especially notable among North American migratory birds.