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What can you learn about migrations from other observers? Read these reports, then discuss the question at the end.

April 25: Saunderstown, RI
(41.52 N, -71.46 W)
A male arrived this evening, checking out both the hummer feeder and the oriole feeder. He even buzzed my head. >>

April 26: Madison, OH
(41.77 N, -81.06 W)
What a great day! An oriole came this morning and then on and off all day. This evening I saw my first hummingbird of the year. >>

April 27: Pickett, WI
(43.90 N, -88.71 W)
We have several 6 feeders up ready for them. I got those feeders ready early based on the trends. The orioles have been enjoying these for 2 days now! >>

April 27: Lawson, MO
(39.45 N, -94.18 W)
Finally my first 2009 rubythroat sighting and also my first first oriole sighting today. I've been waiting and watching! Now spring is here. >>

April 28: Whitewater, WI
(42.80 N, -88.75 W)
I have been looking for the first ruby-throated hummingbird for the past 2 weeks. Today I saw the first one: a male eating at a feeder. He was not frightened by me and I was within 5 feet of him on the feeder. Now I'm watching for the first Baltimore oriole. >>

April 26: Geneseo, IL
(41.48 N, -90.18 W)
I saw the first male oriole at the hummingbird feeder, then it went to the oriole feeder. (Sighting report from our Oriole migration map.)

Think: What do you think ruby-throated hummingbirds and Baltimore orioles have in common?

Who is this stranger drinking from the hummingbird feeder? Click to enlarge. Then read these reports from Journey North observers! Photo: © Jean English

For Your Journal
Each week, choose a favorite hummingbird sighting and record your thoughts in your journal. >>

Did you know?
You can find all observations reported this week in the sightings database and on the rufous and rubythroat migration maps.

Dig Deeper: Once you've answered, look at these facts about hummingbirds and orioles. What more would you add to your answer? Why do you think they arrive up north about the same time?

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds	Baltimore Orioles
Enlarge: The red shows the ruby-throated hummingbird's breeding range. (The green shows its winter range.)	Enlarge: The gold shows the Baltimore oriole's breeding range. (The red shows its winter range.)
What They Eat (Diet)
Insects, flower nectar	Insects, flower nectar, small fruits
Where They Live (Habitat)
Wooded areas, suburban parks and gardens, near streams	Wooded areas, suburban areas with shade trees, near streams
Migration Notes
Cross the Gulf of Mexico on journey north from Central America.	Cross the Gulf of Mexico on journey north from Central America.
Take 8-10 weeks to migrate north.	Take 2-3 weeks to migrate north. They make a big push once leaves come out.
Can eat many types of tiny flying insects and sap from sapsucker holes. So even in unpredictable weather on their long migration, they can find food.	Require much larger insects, like caterpillars. These don't hatch until leaves come out. So orioles wait until then, and then make a fast final push north.
Rubythroats arrive in northern breeding grounds about the same time as orioles: When food sources are available there.	Orioles arrive in northern breeding grounds about the same time as rubythroats: When food sources are available there.