Hummingbirds
Hummingbird Update: February 27, 2013
Please Report
Your Sightings!		 Report Your Sightings
The first migrating ruby-throated hummingbirds have arrived in Gulf Coast states, slightly ahead of schedule. This week, explore the migration route and think about how prevailing winds affect migration.

This Update Includes:

Image of the Week
by land or by sea?
Photo: Russ Thompson
By Land or By Sea?
News: Hummers are Coming!
Migration Begins!
"And...they're off!" exclaimed Lanny Chambers, our hummingbird expert after seeing the first rubythroat migration report for the spring season. Just like clockwork, starting last weekend the first migrating ruby-throated hummingbirds showed up in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Florida.

Early Arrival in Metairie, Louisiana
Nancy Newfield, a hummingbird expert and bird bander, reported her first rubythroat:

"With a yardful of over-wintering hummers, the arrival of the first migrant ruby-throated hummingbird is always a pleasant surprise. The one that arrived on February 21 was my earliest hummingbird by 4 days, with the previous record going back to the early 1980s!"

Banded Bird Captured
In Florida on February 21, birdbander Meret Wilson put up a net and caught one of her winter residents, a male rubythroat. She discovered that the bird had been banded 457 miles away.

"One of the most thrilling things for a bander is to have one of our birds caught somewhere else. We can learn more about where it overwinters or what migration route the bird takes."

early December, Alexander City, AL
Photo: Mary Rush
Feeders Ready?
 
early December, Alexander City, AL
Photo: Laura Erickson
Fueling Up
 
banded bird captured
Photo: Meret wilson
Banded Bird Captured
Slideshow: An Amazing Rubythroat Journey!

As ruby-throated hummingbirds arrive on U.S. shores from their wintering grounds, they usually appear first in the Gulf coast states. How do you think they get there? Could these tiny flyers cross over the Gulf of Mexico with no food or rest? How do the prevailing winds affect migration? Explore more!
slideshow
Slideshow		 journal page

Questions
journal page

Journal
Latest Maps: Who's Seeing Hummingbirds?
Rubythroats are arriving along the Gulf Coast and migrating rufous hummingbirds are joining winter Anna's and Costas along the California coast. The spring migration has begun!

ruby map ruby map ruby map
Ruby-throated
(map | animation | sightings)		 Rufous
(map | animation | sightings)		 Other
(map | animation | sightings)
Male and Female Rubythroat male and female rufous collage
The next Update will be posted on March 6, 2013.

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