Journey North Hummingbird Spring 2006

Hummingbird Migration Update: February 23, 2006

Today's Report Includes:

Latest Migration News
Journaling Question: Why is One Species Ahead of the Other?
Habitat Homecoming: Is Your Habitat Ready?
Challenge Question #2
What Do Hummingbirds Need to Survive? Photos Hold Clues
Tip for Teachers: See "Hummingbird Habitat and the Seasons"
Discussion of Challenge Question #1: Why Come Back?

Distribution Map

Rufous
Hummingbird
(map) (data)

Ruby-throated
Hummingbird
(map) (data)

Most data courtesy of Lanny Chambers,
Hummingbirds.net

Latest Migration News

Rufous Hummingbirds: With twenty sightings to report this week we know these little birds are on the move! Explore the migration map and see if you can find which reports are of overwintering birds and which are migrants. Can you find the one that is out of its range according to the distribution map?

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds: A single sighting has created a stir: "I didn't think it was possible for one of my hummers to be back this early but there he was," exclaimed the Alabama observer. "I was sitting on my screened-in patio when I heard the all-too-familiar buzzing." (Listen!) Is this February 14th report the first migration sighting of the season--or was this an overwintering bird? Ruby-throated hummingbirds usually appear with remarkable consistency in the final days of February along the U.S. Gulf Coast, so this does seem early. Let's see what happens in the week ahead!

Why is One Species Ahead of the Other?
Journaling Question: As our maps show, Rufous hummingbirds are already much farther along than Ruby-throated hummingbirds. Why do you think Rufous hummingbirds are able to do this?

Record your thoughts in your Hummingbird Migration Journal

Habitat Homecoming
Look outside your window today. Do you see a habitat that's ready for your hummingbirds? Wherever you live, we want to hear from you!

Challenge Question #2
"What changes need to happen in your neighborhood before the hummingbirds arrive?"

To respond to this question, please follow these instructions.

Habitat

The place and conditions where all of an organism’s needs for life are met.

Food, water, shelter and space are key components of an organism’s habitat.

What Do Hummingbirds Need to Survive? Photos Hold Clues
These are pictures of hummingbirds in their breeding habitat. What does a hummingbird need from its habitat? What clues do you see in each of these photos? (Click images to enlarge.)



Photos Left: Courtesy National Gardening Association Upper right: Henry Domke Lower right: Edward Registrato

Tip for Teachers: See "Hummingbird Habitat and the Seasons"
As you wait for hummingbirds to arrive, explore the chain of sun-driven events that must occur before hummingbirds can return to their breeding habitat.

Hummingbird Habitat and the Seasons

Discussion of Challenge Question #1: Why Come Back?
At the time of our February 9th update, rubythroats and most rufous hummingbirds were still on the wintering grounds, where life is good: toasty warm temps and lots of food. We asked you to look at landmass and answer this: "If things are so great on the wintering grounds, why do these tiny birds make the long, hard journey north?"

We don't need to ask an expert to share thoughts about the answer because students from Ferrisburgh, VT, Cedar Falls, IA and Octagon Home School sent the best possible reasons. Three cheers and a high five for them! See their splendid answers here:

Discussion of Challenge Question #1

The Next Hummingbird Migration Update Will Be Posted on March 2*, 2006 (*data only).