Hummingbird Migration: Citizen Scientists Track Hummingbird Migration with Journey North

Hummingbirds

Migration News: April 29, 2016
By Mary Hosier

Ruby-throats continue to arrive from across the Gulf. Rufous reach breeding grounds in Southcentral Alaska.

This male Rufous-- darted to and fro, as if to ask why I wasn't coming out to play," wrote John Doerper from Bellingham, Washington.

News: More Migrants Arrive

As more Ruby-throats are arriving from across the Gulf, early birds are beginning to build nests and start families.

"Strong storm blew through Houston early this morning, apparently carrying in a new group of Ruby-throats, some males, mostly females. All seem healthy. They spent some time at the feeders, arguing over access, perhaps they will be resident," reported Ken on April 27th.

Rufous Reach Southcentral Alaska
The first Rufous was reported in the Valdez area on April 16th. Temperatures there continue to be above average this spring.

"Male Rufous buzzing around, extremely skittish. About 10 days earlier than previous year, which was also record early," reported Nancy from Mountain View, Alberta on April 23rd.

Record Keepers
Tom, in Dingman's Ferry, Pennsylvania has kept a record of first and last Ruby-throated hummingbird sightings of the season for almost 22 years. His earliest first sighting was April 20, 2005. This year, his first Ruby-throat arrived April 22.

Orioles and Hummingbirds
The peak of migration for Bullock's and Baltimore orioles, is occurring now. The Baltimore oriole map shows 114 new sightings in the Great Lakes region alone since April 23rd. Get ready!

Migrants Crossing

Fighting

Spring Nectar

Lured In

Building a Nest

When female hummers arrive and mate in the spring, they know by instinct to build a nest for their young. These little homes must be strong yet soft and stretchy enough to hold fast-growing nestlings. The nest must also protect nestlings from cold, rain, and predators. That's no easy task!

Nest-Building Instinct When female hummers arrive and mate in the spring, they know by instinct to build a nest for their young. These little homes must be strong yet soft and stretchy enough to hold fast-growing nestlings. The nest must also protect nestlings from cold, rain, and predators. That's no easy task!

Nesting Materials Look closely at this hummingbird nest. What materials do you think were used to build it?

Why are fluffy dandelion seed heads good material for a hummingbird's nest? Fluffy down from dandelions and other plants is soft, waterproof, and easy for hummers to work with. It also keeps cold air out of the nest. A hummingbird can find lots of dandelion down floating about in the spring!

Dandelion Seed Heads Why are fluffy dandelion seed heads good material for a hummingbird's nest? Fluffy down from dandelions and other plants is soft, waterproof, and easy for hummers to work with. It also keeps cold air out of the nest. A hummingbird can find lots of dandelion down floating about in the spring!

Cattail flower seed heads were once used inside blankets and pillows. People also stuffed them into shoes for warm insulation. Where are these seed heads placed? Plant down is usually too white for the outside of the nest, but perfect on the inside. The down is soft and warm next to a hatchling's fragile bare skin.

Cattail Flower Seed Heads Cattail flower seed heads were once used inside blankets and pillows. People also stuffed them into shoes for warm insulation. Where are these seed heads placed? Plant down is usually too white for the outside of the nest, but perfect on the inside. The down is soft and warm next to a hatchling's fragile bare skin.

Spider silk is a good nesting material because it is easy to find, strong as steel, sticky enough to hold plant materials together, and waterproof. A hummer can easily grasp it with its tiny beak. Best of all, it's the stretchiest material available. This allows the nest to grow with the babies!

Spider Web Silk Spider silk is a good nesting material because it is easy to find, strong as steel, sticky enough to hold plant materials together, and waterproof. A hummer can easily grasp it with its tiny beak. Best of all, it's the stretchiest material available. This allows the nest to grow with the babies!

A lichen is an organism containing both a fungus and an algae. Why would hummingbirds place lichens on the outside of a nest? Lichens are tiny, strong for their weight, easy for a tiny hummer to work with, and waterproof. Because their color provides camouflage in trees, lichens are usually placed on the outside of nests.

Lichens A lichen is an organism containing both a fungus and an algae. Why would hummingbirds place lichens on the outside of a nest? Lichens are tiny, strong for their weight, easy for a tiny hummer to work with, and waterproof. Because their color provides camouflage in trees, lichens are usually placed on the outside of nests.

A female hummingbird forms the soft lip of the cup-shaped nest by pressing fluffy materials between her bill, chin, and chest as she rotates her body. She might use a bit of sticky resin from a pine tree to hold it all together.

Soft Fluff and Sticky Resin A female hummingbird forms the soft lip of the cup-shaped nest by pressing fluffy materials between her bill, chin, and chest as she rotates her body. She might use a bit of sticky resin from a pine tree to hold it all together.

It takes a female hummingbird about 5-6 days to build a nest that will be just right for incubating tiny eggs and cradling growing hatchlings. Use the penny and toothpick to estimate the size of this hummingbird nest.

Tiny Bird, Tiny Nest It takes a female hummingbird about 5-6 days to build a nest that will be just right for incubating tiny eggs and cradling growing hatchlings. Use the penny and toothpick to estimate the size of this hummingbird nest.

A nest is a little home — strong, soft, and stretchy — built in a place that will protect nestlings from cold, rain, and predators. How do you think this nest location will help the mother and her nestlings survive?

Home Safe Home A nest is a little home — strong, soft, and stretchy — built in a place that will protect nestlings from cold, rain, and predators. How do you think this nest location will help the mother and her nestlings survive?

The female hummingbird's instincts tell her how to build a nest that is strong, stretchy, soft, and water-proof. What materials does she use?

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Next Update May 6, 2016