Don't Get Caught Without Your Feeder Out

We could not have said it any better than Journey North citizen scientist from Geneva, NY -- "Be Ready!" -- for hummingbirds to arrive in your backyards.

“First male Broad-tailed Hummingbird.” Submitted by Selvi (04/08/2020; Los Alamos, NM)

Image of hummingbird and text saying to report your sightings

Ruby-throated Hummingbird Migration Map Spring 2020

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have now been seen near Independence, KS; Jefferson City, MO; Indianapolis, IN; Cincinnati, OH; Geneva, NY; and along the coast of MA.

From Geneva, NY: Bird exclaimed, “NY BE READY! Flashback to 2017, when on April 5th, I saw Ruby-throated Male Hummingbird scout searching for her feeders (which were not out). Several times he kept checking, then left. Temps were 38-42 at night and 55 during the day. Now it is 2020 and temps have been warmer. The Ruby-throated scouts are coming through. You just have to be watching. My feeder is out. I saw a scout 2 weeks ago…” (04/05/2020) Link to report

From Plymouth, MA: Jan observed a Ruby-throated Hummingbird at 5 pm which landed on our feeder that we put out on Sunday 04/05/2020. He drank then flew away!” (04/07/2020) Link to report

Rufous Hummingbirds

There have not been many new sightings for Rufous Hummingbirds. Most individuals are still being observed within the Strait of Georgia region of British Columbia.

At this same time last year, Journey North citizen scientists in Alaska had already reported first arrivals of Rufous Hummingbirds. Compare the 2019 migration map to 2020 migration maps. Predict when Rufous will arrive along the coast of Southeastern Alaska.

Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, Anna’s, Calliope and Costa’s Hummingbirds

Journey North citizen scientists in NM, NV, CO have been busy submitting sightings for Black-chinned, Broad-tailed Hummingbirds and Costa’s.

From Los Alamos, NM: Selvi caught a great photo of her first sighting of a Black-chinned male Hummingbird. (04/07/2020)

From Colorado Springs, CO: Patrick saw a “Broad-tailed male at our feeder. We had one fly through our yard on 4/6, but this is the first one that has come to the feeder!” (04/08/2020)

From Fallon, NV: For Carol there was not time to snap a photo but she did report one “male Costa’s hummingbird this morning. Earliest I have ever had a hummingbird and first Costa’s ever. He checked out my feeder but didn’t drink.” (04/04/2020) Link to report

Eastern WA seeing Calliope Hummingbirds:

From Davenport, WA: Jill and her husband saw “a male Calliope in the morning so he put out the feeders and it returned twice to the feeders. First Hummingbird this Spring. We weren’t expecting one for another week or two.” (04/08/2020) Link to report

Have You Seen Nectaring Behavior?

Clean and fresh feeders will attract the birds- so will flowers. Watch the map and get ready with your feeders. Plant nectar rich flowers in your backyards. Let us know if you see hummingbirds nectaring from certain types of flowers. If you know the name of the flower, please submit this information in your comments.

From Armuchee, GA: Kim saw “an adult male Ruby Throated Hummingbird flew in and began nectaring on native azaleas.” (04/06/2020)

From Lithia, FL: Leslie took a great photo of nectaring action of a first male Ruby-throat Hummingbird to arrive at her garden. (04/01/2020)

From Houston, TX: Beverly reported, “Male ruby throats are coming in about four days apart. This is our 2nd one first sighted in maple tree. Then came down to Hamelia pattens…and all Salvias.” (04/10/2020)