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How Many Miles?
Estimating How Far and How Fast Ruby-throated Hummingbirds Travel
Traveling Southward
At the end of summer and beginning of fall, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds start migrating toward their wintering grounds. How quickly will they travel southward?
Based on banding re-encounters, one hummer flew 1,200 miles in 12 days. That means it traveled 100 miles per day. Another hummer flew 335 miles in 7 days — 48 miles per day. Overall, the average rate of travel is estimated at fewer than 25 miles per day.
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