Hummingbirds
Hummingbird Migration Update: April 17, 2008

Today's Report Includes:

Please Report
Your Sightings! >>

A body part that "fits"! What clues do you see? >>
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: Buzzing, Slowing, Buzzing Again!
Rubythroats are crowding parts of the map, and they've landed in 4 new states. Can you figure out which ones? But weather that went from balmy to verrrry brisk last week helped keep the leading edge of the migration from making a big leap northward. (Check out the animation >)

One eager observer noticed rubythroat reports in her area, but wondered why she hadn't seen one yet. Remember, these maps show the earliest birds, not the masses of migrants. Look at how the hummers are spread out in time and space. That's a good thing. Why? The species is less likely to be hurt by a catastrophe like a very long deep freeze! So if you haven't seen a hummer yet, keep your eyes and ears open. Oodles of them are still winging their way north! And this week promises some fine flying weather.

Last week in Alaska, observers saw singing robins, blueberry shoots, and other signs of spring. So we weren't surprised when several new rufous reports popped up there. Did you notice that one rufous seems to have headed inland? Was he blown off course, or is something else at work? You'll discover that secret — and others — in next week's update!

In the meantime, see this week's Highlights from the Migration trail. >>
Journal: Imagine Building the Perfect Nest

Some hummingbirds are still traveling north, but others have arrived in places where they'll breed. Once they've mated, the females will busily begin building nests.

How do they prepare for this important stage of their annual cycles? Imagine you are a hummer. Make a list of what you might need for a safe and secure nest. How would you go about building one? This photo gives you one clue!

  • Respond in your Hummingbird Journal! >>
  • Then come back for next week's slideshow.

Why did this hummer choose a cattail? >>
Photo: Ed Robertson
Looking at Data: The Long Journey (So Far)

Have you kept track of rubythroat first arrivals in each state? We have. It's time to start digging into the data! As you look at your own chart, or Journey North's Predictions and Results chart, see what you can learn:

  • Show the Data: Use a blank map to show some data from the chart. For instance, you could decide to color in the states that had first hummer arrivals in February with one color, March with another color, and so on.

  • Analyze the Data: What does your map tell you about the hummingbird migration? Pick one thing and write a couple of sentences. What questions does it raise?

Ruby-throated Hummingbird Spring Migration Route
Predictions and Results Chart >>
This Week's Hummingbird Resources
  • Video Clip: A Hummingbird Tongue in Action! >> (May take a few minutes to load.)
  • Photo Observation: A Body Part That "Fits"! What Clues Do You See? >>
  • Slideshow: Make Way for Nesting: A Tale of Territories, Thieves, and Courtship >>
  • Lesson: Short-Distance and Long-Distance Migrants: Comparing Robins and Hummingbirds >>
  • Questions: Expert Answers to Your Hummingbird Questions >>
  • Study: Weather and Songbird Migration >>
  • Hummingbird Migration Journals (click-and-print) >>
More Hummingbird Lessons and Teaching Ideas!

The Next Hummingbird Migration Update Will Be Posted on April 24, 2008.

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