From spring showers to summer thunderstorms to autumn drenchers, rain is very beneficial to all birds, including hummingbirds. Rain supports nectar-rich flowers for food sources, maintains dense shrubbery for nesting sites and shelter, and even creates areas for bathing. But can the tiniest of birds fly in the rain, or are hummingbirds grounded when raindrops begin to fall?

How Rain Affects Birds

There is no denying how important rain is to all birds. From furthering plant growth and creating nectar to supplying richly diverse habitats, supporting healthy insect populations, and direct use through drinking, bathing, and preening, rain is critical for birds. But a very hard and driving rain can be challenging, even dangerous to birds. This can be especially true for smaller species that do not have the body mass to withstand intense wind buffeting or heavy raindrops. Air temperature changes can also affect flight patterns and abilities, while strong storms can blow any birds significantly off course during migration or damage habitats necessary for raising the next generation.

How Hummingbirds Fly in the Rain

Hummingbirds have a very high metabolism, and because they must visit hundreds of flowers and other food sources every day to meet their nutritional needs, they have to fly, even if the weather may not be ideal. While these tiny birds will seek shelter and simply rest during very heavy rain or a hailstorm, they still fly in moderate rain and sprinkles.

During the lightest rain – sprinkles or even fine mists – hummingbirds have no need to significantly change their flight patterns. In fact, this type of rain can even give the birds a chance to bathe in the air, just as how they will deliberately fly through automatic sprinklers or misters.

When the rain strengthens, however, hummingbirds do make adjustments to ensure they can keep flying with ease. They will beat their wings faster to maintain their flight speed in changing air currents, and will stop more frequently to preen excess moisture off their feathers. Their angle of flight will adjust as needed, and they will also move their wings and tails in slightly different patterns or at different angles to compensate for rain-related flying difficulties.

When the weather is poor, hummingbirds will also change their feeding tactics. They may choose to visit more sheltered food sources that are easier to reach, such as a nectar feeder under some type of cover or flowerbeds underneath larger trees. At these times, sheltered containers of hummingbird-friendly flowers can be especially attractive, as will more sheltered perches where the birds can easily rest.

Helping Hummingbirds on Rainy Days

There are many great ways hummingbird lovers can help their tiny feathered friends thrive even on the rainiest days. First, ensuring that at least one good-sized nectar feeder or a thick bed of nectar-rich blooms is positioned under a dense tree, awning, roof overhang, or other shelter can provide a safe and comfortable feeding spot in the heaviest rain. Flowerpots are especially good for this, as they can easily be moved into sheltered locations when it rains.

Keeping some dense shrubbery intact is another way to protect hummers from the rain, as they will be able to seek out a dry spot to perch. Ideally, this shrubbery should also be tall and wide enough to safeguard against lurking predators, which might also be looking for a dry place to rest in the rain.

Birders should never use petroleum jelly, oil, or oil-based sprays on feeder poles or hooks as a tactic against unwanted raiders such as raccoons, snakes, or insects. These products are dangerous to birds and can disrupt the delicate insulation on feathers. This can lead to hummingbirds getting chilled much more quickly in the rain and disrupt their flight capabilities just when they need to fly most efficiently.

Finally, keeping a close eye on the weather forecast is a great way for all birders to help hummingbirds. When a rainy day is approaching feeders should be cleaned and refilled so they are ready for hungry hummers both immediately before and after the bad weather. This will ensure the birds have a convenient, nourishing food source available without needing to search over a larger territory.

Hummingbirds can hum along just fine in most types of rain, but knowing how to support these birds when the weather turns nasty can help birders keep hummers in their yard no matter what the weather.