Hummingbirds
Hummingbird Migration Update: April 10, 2008

Today's Report Includes:

Please Report
Your Sightings! >>

What's the story behind this scene? >>
Photo: Russ Thompson
The Migration: Highlights, Maps, and Questions

Distribution Map

Rufous
Hummingbird

This Week's Map >>
Sightings >>

Ruby-throated
Hummingbird

This Week's Map >>
Sightings >>

Handouts: Today's Hummingbird Map Questions
Rufous Questions >                Rubythroat Questions >    

Highlights: Spring Surge Swells
Whoosh! You'd think that ruby-throated hummers were racing the clock. The rush of reports this past week included the first one from New England. Can you find it on the map? Most reports came from further south, with a huge number showing up on April 6th. That same day, the Internet was buzzing as birders talked about the big "fallout" of feathered migrants near the Gulf Coast. What happened? You be the judge! >>

"A female ruby-throated hummingbird arrived mid-day," reports an Arkansas observer. She had a male all a-twitter. He tried out a clumsy 'U' display, but she didn't seem impressed." What should we make of these antics? Male hummers have some overwhelming spring instincts! You'll learn about them in this week's slideshow.

Up in Sitka, Alaska an observer reported another rufous. "This is the earliest record for arrival since I have kept records for this location starting in 2002." Are the two rufies in that state pushing the species' northern limit? Stay tuned in weeks to come. In the meantime, discover what other keen-eyed observers shared in today's Highlights from the Migration trail. >>
Slideshow: Males on a Mission!

Male hummers heading north have no choice in the matter. They have an overwhelming urge to set up territories, defend food sources, and more. And that's no easy task! Discover why.

  • Slideshow: Make Way for Nesting: A Tale of Territories, Thieves, and Courtship >>

  • Slideshow Handout >>
Journal: A Tale of a Perfect Territory

Once you've watched the slideshow, imagine you're a migrating male hummingbird looking for a good territory. Choose one of the following:

1. Write a "want-ad" that describes what would make an ideal habitat, OR
2. Draw a picture — from a birds-eye view — that shows the important features you're looking for in your territory.

  • Use your Hummingbird Journal to tell the story! >>

This male rubythroat is on the lookout for intruders!
Photo: Laura Erickson
Explore: How Fast Does the Migration Travel?

Migrating animals travel at very different average rates. A bog turtle might travel just 56 feet in a day, but a monarch butterfly might fly 40 to 100 miles a day! How fast and far do ruby-throated hummingbirds travel?

You be the judge! Use our migration maps to make an estimate. Then use your answer to predict when the migration will reach you, the Canadian border, or another location!

  • Estimating Migration Rate: How Many Miles a Day Do Rubythroats Travel? >>
Expert answers to your hummingbird questions!
You'll find them all here >>
This Week's Hummingbird Resources
  • Activity: Estimating Migration Rate: How Many Miles a Day Do Rubythroats Travel? >>
  • Predict: Where Will They Arrive, and When? Making Predictions >>
  • Slideshow: Make Way for Nesting: A Tale of Territories, Thieves, and Courtship >>
  • Study: Weather and Songbird Migration >>
  • Photo Observation: What's the Story Behind This Scene? >>
  • Video Clip : One Minute with a Hummingbird: What Do You See? >>
  • Hummingbird Migration Journals (click-and-print) >>
More Hummingbird Lessons and Teaching Ideas!

The Next Hummingbird Migration Update Will Be Posted on April 17, 2008.

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