Hummingbirds
Hummingbird Migration Update: March 12, 2009

Today's Report Includes:

Please Report
Your Sightings! >>

Roll your mouse over this hummer. Which throat color is for real? Explore! >>
Photo: Russ Thompson
The Migration: Highlights, Maps, and Questions

Distribution Map

Rufous
Hummingbird

This Week's Map >>
Week-by-Week Animation >>
Sightings >>

Ruby-throated
Hummingbird

This Week's Map >>
Week-by-Week Animation >>
Sightings >>

Handouts: Today's Hummingbird Map Questions
Rufous Questions >                Rubythroat Questions >   
Highlights: Welcoming the Waves
"Our little jewels are back," writes one observer. Warm southerly winds paved the way this week for a flood of ruby-throated hummingbirds: 66 new reports! Can you find the two new states they've moved into? How does this compare with your predictions — or with last year's migration? (Look at today's Rubythroat Map Questions handout.)
This early spring flower keeps rufous hummers buzzing!
Photo: Martin Dollenkamp
Out West, a big batch of rufous hummingbirds are gathered in Oregon and Washington. A careful observer has one explanation: "The red-flowering currant (one of their earliest spring food sources) is just about to open its first flowers." They may be feeding on blooming wildflowers, but how did they manage to get so far ahead of the rubythroats? Today's slideshow will give you some clues.

"I saw my first male. He comes every year. Females follow," writes one hummingbird lover. So far, most observers have spotted only male birds of both species. What do you think is going on? Explore!

  • Ladies Second! Why Male Hummingbirds Lead the Migration >>
It looks like it will be a colder, rainy weekend in rubythroat country. Will they rush northward ahead of the front or just hunker down? Keep your eyes peeled and stay tuned for next week's update! In the meantime, what can you learn about this incredible migration from other Journey north observers?
  • This Week's Observations from Citizen Scientists >>
Journal: Why Are Rufous Hummers Far Ahead?

Slideshow: Why Do Rufous Hummingbirds Seem Far Ahead? >>

Look at both of this week's migration maps, above. How can rufous hummingbirds be in Canada already, when rubythroats are still gathered in the southern United States? Are the Rufous hummers faster or more eager? Is this just an unusual year? How would you explain this?

  • Think: First, write your ideas on this Hummingbird Journal page >>
  • Compare Migrations : Watch this slideshow! >>
Explore: Is your schoolyard ready for hummingbirds?

 

Hungry hummingbirds are headed your way! Even if you live in an area where they don't nest, some might stop by on their way north. Will they be able to find what they need to survive in your backyard or schoolyard? Let's explore!

  • Explore: When Will Our Hummingbird Habitat Be Ready? >>

Questions? Ask the Expert Opens Friday, March 13
Meet the Hummingbird Expert >>

Journey North's hummingbird expert (and bander) Lanny Chambers has again volunteered to answer your questions.

Lanny has had a life-long passion for hummingbirds. He researches them and runs an award-winning Web site about their migrations. Here is your chance to ask Lanny questions you haven't been able to answer yourselves.

  • Meet Lanny and submit your questions on the Web >>
  • The deadline for questions is Friday, March 27 (1 p.m. EDT).

Ask Lanny Chambers Your Questions about Hummingbirds >>
This Week's Hummingbird Resources
  • Predict: Where Will They Arrive, and When? Making Predictions >>
  • Tool: How Far? Measure the Distance with Google Maps! >>
  • Explore: Ladies Second: Why Male Hummingbirds Lead the Migration >>
  • Slideshow: An Amazing Rubythroat Journey >>
  • Lesson: When Will Our Hummingbird Habitat Be Ready? >>
  • Tips: How to Read the Weather from a Songbird's Point of View >>
  • Teachers: Making Sense of Journey North Maps >>
  • Hummingbird Migration Journals (click-and-print) >>
  • Hummingbirds for Kids (booklets, photos, videos) >>
More Hummingbird Lessons and Teaching Ideas!

The Next Hummingbird Migration Update Will Be Posted on March 19, 2009.

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