Hummingbirds undertake remarkable migrations that test their physiological limits, and stopover habitat quality directly determines their welfare and survival.
Hummingbird migration welfare depends critically on stopover site quality. A hummingbird arriving at a depleted stopover after a long flight has limited time to refuel before weather conditions change. Adequate nectar from diverse flowering plants, including native species with appropriate flower morphology, allows rapid energy restoration. Garden feeders supplementing natural nectar during migration provide a meaningful welfare contribution. The phenological mismatch between migration timing and flower availability driven by climate change represents a growing welfare challenge for these extraordinary long-distance migrants.