# Do humminbirds really hitch rides on the backs of other birds? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 7, 2006, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-humminbirds-really-hitch-rides-on-the-backs-of-other-birds/355795 "2006-05-07T20:17:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Valteron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f17d59/32.png) [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2006, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-humminbirds-really-hitch-rides-on-the-backs-of-other-birds/355795/1 "2006-05-07T20:17:20Z")
For years now, I have been hearing something about how humminbirds migrate that is either true, or the biggest urban legend going. Just yesterday I heard it again in a restaurant and decided to call on all the brains in SD for help. Is it true that hummingbirds migrate south by catching rides on the backs of Canada Geese and other large birds? I remember reading this a few years ago in a newspaper, in which they explained that scientists had finally explained how such small birds could migrate all the way south. The article said it was a sort of symbiotic relationship. The humminbirds ate fleas and othet parasites off the geese (sounds yucky, but most airline food is not much better, you have to admit) and the hummingbirds get a free flight (no inflight movies, though). The first time I heard this it sounded like bullshit, but I keep hearing it from all inds of sources. Does anyone have any info? Have terrorist humminbirds ever hijacked a Canada goose? Can hummingbirds who do this often accumulate frequent flyer points? Do they have to reserve a goose in advance? Moi needs answers! ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2006, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-humminbirds-really-hitch-rides-on-the-backs-of-other-birds/355795/2 "2006-05-07T20:30:41Z")
Um, no. ---
**Author:** ![Scruloose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2006, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-humminbirds-really-hitch-rides-on-the-backs-of-other-birds/355795/3 "2006-05-07T20:44:36Z")
Hmmm… if only we had a hummingbird expert here on the boards. Anyway, until **Colibri** arrives, I’ll add another u/l sounding bit I heard about migrating hummingbirds: they stop on fishing vessels when over large areas of water, such as the Gulf of Mexico. I heard that some Gulf fishermen have even gone so far as to place feeders up in the masts to help the little guys along. True? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2006, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-humminbirds-really-hitch-rides-on-the-backs-of-other-birds/355795/4 "2006-05-07T20:49:34Z")
It’s complete bullshit. I’ve been hearing this for at least 30 years. There is no truth to it whatever. It is a fun story to tell, though, if you want to see how gullible someone is. 😉 Canada Geese wouldn’t be much use anyway, since they don’t go any place hummingbirds want to go. North American hummers mostly migrate south of where geese stop. Most migrate over land, but at least some Ruby-throats migrate across the Gulf of Mexico. They need to put on up to 50% of their body weight in fat to have enough fuel to get across, though. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2006, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-humminbirds-really-hitch-rides-on-the-backs-of-other-birds/355795/5 "2006-05-07T20:52:54Z")
> [@Scruloose](#): > > Anyway, until **Colibri** arrives, I’ll add another u/l sounding bit I heard about migrating hummingbirds: they stop on fishing vessels when over large areas of water, such as the Gulf of Mexico. I heard that some Gulf fishermen have even gone so far as to place feeders up in the masts to help the little guys along. True? I haven’t heard this specifically, but it’s possible. Birds that migrate over water may often stop off on boats if they run into trouble. We occasionally get birds here in Panama that hitchhiked south on boats heading for the Panama Canal, which have included a Common Raven, Dark-eyed Junco, and a couple of Starlings. No hummingbirds yet. ---
**Author:** ![BMax](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bmax/32/4267_2.png) [@BMax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMax)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2006, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-humminbirds-really-hitch-rides-on-the-backs-of-other-birds/355795/6 "2006-05-07T21:36:40Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > I haven’t heard this specifically, but it’s possible. Birds that migrate over water may often stop off on boats if they run into trouble. We occasionally get birds here in Panama that hitchhiked south on boats heading for the Panama Canal, which have included a Common Raven, Dark-eyed Junco, and a couple of Starlings. No hummingbirds yet. You got starlings in Panama? There goes the neighborhood. I’m so sorry to hear that. ---
**Author:** ![Valteron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f17d59/32.png) [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2006, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-humminbirds-really-hitch-rides-on-the-backs-of-other-birds/355795/7 "2006-05-07T21:39:44Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > I haven’t heard this specifically, but it’s possible. Birds that migrate over water may often stop off on boats if they run into trouble. We occasionally get birds here in Panama that hitchhiked south on boats heading for the Panama Canal, which have included a Common Raven, Dark-eyed Junco, and a couple of Starlings. No hummingbirds yet. Many thanks. I suspected it was bullshit. By the way, Colibri, I note that your bio says you are interested in the history of discovery and exploration. I would like to know what you think of the posting I did about Columbus. I beleive it is in Humble Opinion. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2006, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-humminbirds-really-hitch-rides-on-the-backs-of-other-birds/355795/8 "2006-05-07T21:53:36Z")
[Waiting for my goose.](http://www.hummingbirds.net/images/figure8.mov) ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2006, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-humminbirds-really-hitch-rides-on-the-backs-of-other-birds/355795/9 "2006-05-07T22:06:09Z")
> [@BMax](#): > > You got starlings in Panama? There goes the neighborhood. I’m so sorry to hear that. Only twice: one in 1979, and one four or five years ago. Fortunately they didn’t last long. We do have House Sparrows, but they’re not common. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2006, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-humminbirds-really-hitch-rides-on-the-backs-of-other-birds/355795/10 "2006-05-07T22:14:14Z")
> [@Valteron](#): > > By the way, Colibri, I note that your bio says you are interested in the history of discovery and exploration. I would like to know what you think of the posting I did about Columbus. I beleive it is in Humble Opinion. Check out the thread that **Shagnasty** linked to there, in which I posted quite a bit. You are right; Columbus was the luckiest crackpot in history. I have a particular interest in Columbus in part because I worked on an exhibition on the Columbus quincentenary at the Smithsonian, and because of his involvement in the early exploration of Panama. By the time he got here he was pretty near a barking loon. ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2006, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-humminbirds-really-hitch-rides-on-the-backs-of-other-birds/355795/11 "2006-05-07T23:07:44Z")
> [@Valteron](#): > > Is it true that hummingbirds migrate south by catching rides on the backs of Canada Geese and other large birds? I remember reading this a few years ago in a newspaper, in which they explained that scientists had finally explained how such small birds could migrate all the way south. The article said it was a sort of symbiotic relationship. The humminbirds ate fleas and othet parasites off the geese (sounds yucky, but most airline food is not much better, you have to admit) and the hummingbirds get a free flight (no inflight movies, though). > > The first time I heard this it sounded like bullshit, but I keep hearing it from all inds of sources. Does anyone have any info? > ! It still does. Sounds like BS to me too. After a rather exhaustive search of intrenet resources NOTHING could be found confirming that humming birds ‘hitch hike rides’ on/with another species. Try the public library for books on humming birds for more information. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2006, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-humminbirds-really-hitch-rides-on-the-backs-of-other-birds/355795/12 "2006-05-08T00:35:56Z")
In doing additional in-depth research I did come across an example of a hummbingbird hitching a ride on another bird, so I’m afraid all you so-called-experts are quite wrong. [Hummingbird hitching a ride](http://home.comcast.net/~cpeek001/Hitcher.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2006, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-humminbirds-really-hitch-rides-on-the-backs-of-other-birds/355795/13 "2006-05-08T00:47:45Z")
> [@astro](#): > > In doing additional in-depth research I did come across an example of a hummbingbird hitching a ride on another bird, so I’m afraid all you so-called-experts are quite wrong. > [Hummingbird hitching a ride](http://home.comcast.net/~cpeek001/Hitcher.jpg). Sweetie, we’ve talked about this bird porn obsession of yours before. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2006, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-humminbirds-really-hitch-rides-on-the-backs-of-other-birds/355795/14 "2006-05-09T03:33:30Z")
What time’s the next goose? ---
**Author:** ![Valteron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f17d59/32.png) [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2006, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-humminbirds-really-hitch-rides-on-the-backs-of-other-birds/355795/15 "2006-05-09T14:50:59Z")
> [@Bryan Ekers](#): > > What time’s the next goose? Oooops, sorry Bryan, I dropped the schedule on the floor. If you will kindly bend over and pick it up, I will show you what time the next goose is! ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2006, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-humminbirds-really-hitch-rides-on-the-backs-of-other-birds/355795/16 "2006-05-09T14:59:20Z")
> [@astro](#): > > [Waiting for my goose.](http://www.hummingbirds.net/images/figure8.mov) ::sticks out thumb, sneaks up behind **Astro** …:: ---
**Author:** ![aNewLeaf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@aNewLeaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aNewLeaf)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2013, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-humminbirds-really-hitch-rides-on-the-backs-of-other-birds/355795/17 "2013-09-08T19:33:08Z")
> [@astro](#): > > In doing additional in-depth research I did come across an example of a hummbingbird hitching a ride on another bird, so I’m afraid all you so-called-experts are quite wrong. > [Hummingbird hitching a ride](http://home.comcast.net/~cpeek001/Hitcher.jpg). So I’m Using the Search Feature like I’m supposed to, and here’s this great link that needs bumping. (Slightly NSFW) but that’s got nothing to do with my question, which is this: Daylength apparently triggers the back-migration. Which is great, but there’s a storm coming and they should go ahead and go now instead of waiting. Is there anything to be done about it? Or do I just have to hope they are fat enough to get through it, or leave on their own? Need answer in a day or so, not that fast. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2013, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-humminbirds-really-hitch-rides-on-the-backs-of-other-birds/355795/18 "2013-09-08T20:06:52Z")
There’s nothing much you can do about it. Birds can sense air pressure changes, so they are probably aware of the oncoming storm. So they will either find shelter, or move out ahead of the storm, depending on whether or not they are ready to migrate or not. And hummingbirds feed on migration, so even if they are not at their full fat level they could move out of your area and stop over somewhere else for a while. ---
**Author:** ![aNewLeaf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@aNewLeaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aNewLeaf)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2013, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-humminbirds-really-hitch-rides-on-the-backs-of-other-birds/355795/19 "2013-09-08T20:36:50Z")
Ok, good. That’s what I had read, but I wanted to hear it from you. 🙂 I’ll refill the feeder in the morning, Fresh Nectar Day is always a fiesta. They can fill up and then they can do what nature says from there. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-humminbirds-really-hitch-rides-on-the-backs-of-other-birds/355795/20 "2013-09-09T03:21:33Z")
Just because I saw this and we’ve had one particular lady hummingbird, every half an hour or so, for a month after years of never seeing anything at our feeder - when will she go? We haven’t seen her in days and I wonder if she’s left. (We’re in central South Carolina.) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-humminbirds-really-hitch-rides-on-the-backs-of-other-birds/355795.md?page=2)