Vagrant Hummingbirds! Hummingbirds aren't the feeble waifs people once thought; significant
numbers of several western species survive in the eastern US each winter. The
most common are Rufous Hummingbirds, with over a thousand now reported
annually. This species can, and does, occur in EVERY eastern state, often
annually.
Rufous aren't the only odd
hummingbirds out there. Many rarities are noticed after the "regular" species
have departed in the fall. Like Rufous in Tennessee seen after the Ruby-throats
depart, or Anna's in Idaho and Alaska recognized after the Rufous have
left.
If you want to increase the odds of seeing a vagrant
hummingbird, keep fresh nectar (3 or 4:1, water:white table sugar) in at least
one feeder late in the fall after your expected species have all departed -- or
even all winter if you're really ambitious. See the FAQ
for more information on attracting hummingbirds.
Don't worry. Leaving feeders
out will NOT prevent hummingbirds from migrating. Conversely, removing feeders
will NOT convince birds to migrate! Hummingbirds migrate when their
hormones tell them to, and after they've fattened up for the trip. If they're
not ready to leave, they will just search for food elsewhere - removing your
feeder doesn't do them any favors... Furthermore, if you have a feeder out in
Kentucky, rest assured that a western hummingbirds do not fly to your home all
the way from Colorado just because your feeder is still out. Feeders
simply bring into view some birds that are already in the
neighborhood.
How Can You Help? If you do see an odd hummingbird, or any
hummingbird after November 15, please report it to
us. In nearly every state, a licensed bander would like to
band and verify your bird. Your report will be
forwarded to these team members, if you consent. In many ways this is the best
way to accurate document the species you have. And we can learn a lot more.
Here are some of the neat things banders have discovered in the past few years
that illustrate how hummingbirds withstand cold temps:
- In many cases, the same
vagrant hummingbirds have returned to the same yards in subsequent
winters...
- A few birds banded in
the northeast departed during severe weather (and were initially thought to
have perished), only to be recaptured in more hospitable climates to the south
later that season or in subsequent years...
- A Rufous Hummingbird
banded in Virginia one winter was recaptured in Montana the following breeding
season. That next winter this particular bird was recaptured in the same
Virginia yard where it was first banded...
if it weren't for hosts
who allow us to band their birds, many people would continue to worry that
all winter hummingbirds encountered in the east were doomed. Some
certainly perish during harsh winters, as do other birds like kinglets,
chickadees and even large birds like hawks, but we are learning that
hummingbirds are infinitely more resilient than we once thought. Mother
Nature's like that...
Happy
Hummingbirding!
Calliope Hummingbirds surround a feeder in SE Idaho.
Photo © 2003 Stacy Jon Peterson
|
CURRENT HUMMINGBIRD PROJECTS |
RARITY
records |
Range maps and
tallies of all available records for all hummingbird species in North America
in regions outside their published ranges. This is a work in progress. Check
back often for updates. |
ALASKA
hummingbird
research |
After 4 years at
Mtn Home AFB in SW Idaho, we are now living in Eagle River, Alaska, about 10
miles north of Anchorage! Enter this page to learn more about Alaska
hummingbirds (and maybe some other birds, too). More to come! |
IDAHO
hummingbird
research |
All you wanted
to know about Idaho hummingbirds, including annual spring arrival
databases, records of rarities, and hummingbird banding research in the
state. |
| HYBRIDS |
Hummingbirds
apparently hybridize to a suprisingly high degree. Here some hummingbird
researchers share their discoveries. A compilation of published papers on
hybridization is also supplied. |
| LINKS |
Look at these
hummingbird-related websites for more information about hummingbird banding,
recommended hummingbird books and videos, hummer identification, vocalizations,
torpor, etc. |
| FAQ |
More complete
hummingbird FAQs can be found on most other hummingbird web pages. These are
answers to questions folks have asked me! |
| ARCHIVED *discontinued* PROJECTS |
USA |
Maps and tallies
of "extralimital" hummingbirds in fall and winter beginning 1999 through
PARTIAL 2004. This site became too labor intenstive after over 1000 reports
came in annually for Rufous Hummingbirds alone. If we could convince Cornell to
couple this feature with eBird's automatic mapping technology, it could
be resurrected...! |
| Louisiana
1999-2001 |
More detailed
map showing all species recorded in Louisiana during winters of 1999
- 2001 |
| Louisiana
2001-2002 |
More detailed
map showing all species recorded in Louisiana during winter of 2001 /
2002. Project consolidated with USA map (above) after this
season. |
| Mississippi
2000-2001 |
All
species recorded in Mississippi during partial winter 2000 /
2001. (Partial year due to lack of submissions). |
Cats can and do kill hummingbirds. I've seen it. For
that and a host of other good reasons, my two cats are always
indoors.
Are
yours? |
American Bird
Conservancy,
National Audubon Society
and other partners |
The Humane Society
of the United States:
Safe Cats
Campaign |
Bethany's Pet Indoors
Page |
Trochilids Website
Awards |
|
 For information on how you can purchase
Tom Kaminski's award winning 53-minute video at right (and thereby support our
Idaho hummingbird research), click the cover photo at right.
|
