RARE WINTER HUMMINGBIRDS

Although most of you are familiar with the Ruby-throated hummingbird, did you know that eleven other species have been documented in our state? These other hummingbird species include Rufous, Allen’s, Broad-tailed, Broad-billed, Anna’s, Calliope, Black-chinned, Magnificent, Green-violet ear, Buff-bellied and Green-breasted Mango. These birds breed in the western United States and some will winter in the southeast. We have more than 100 wintering hummingbirds reported statewide every year and that number is steadily increasing!

As part of our ongoing research of these special little birds, we encourage everyone to leave at least one hummingbird feeder out all winter. You will NOT prevent any Ruby-throats from migrating and can possibly attract and help out a wintering western species.

If you see ANY hummingbird between November 1^st and March 1^st, please report it as soon as possible to one of our stores. Two of our employees, Karen Theodorou and Julia Elliott, are federally licensed hummingbird banders. They place a tiny, numbered band on the hummingbird’s leg and collect important data such as species, sex, age, weight and physical condition. An added bonus, homeowners are photographed releasing the hummingbird after the banding process. Wouldn’t it be cool to hold a hummingbird?

Wintering hummingbirds often return to the same yards each year; one female Rufous returned to the same Roswell yard for six years in a row!

You can keep your nectar from freezing by hanging your feeder a few inches away from an outdoor floodlight or shop light with a 100-watt bulb. Nectar only freezes when temperatures dip into the upper 20’s.

Nectar lasts longer in winter months and usually only needs to be changed every week or so.

Good luck and keep those reports coming!

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 14th, 2008 at 10:13 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.