Habitat Ready?
March 17, 2017 By Mary Hosier

Hungry hummingbird migrants are looking for food to fuel their journeys. Is your outdoor habitat ready for hummingbirds?

rufous in the pollen
Hummingbirds are beneficial pollinators.
While drinking nectar,
they often transfer pollen from flower to flower.

Ruby-throats are appearing in greater numbers along the Gulf States. They arrive hungry after losing about half their body weight during migration. Migration proceeds at an average rate of about 20 miles per day, in good weather. They will be looking for the earliest blooming flowers and bite size bugs.

"New male has arrived overnight. I now have 3 males at feeders, but all are doing a lot of bugging."
Ormond Beach, Florida on March 12th.

"Our first male arrived and drank nectar from a feeder."
Havana, Florida on March 14th.

Rufous
These fiesty little hummers are arriving now in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia.

"First Rufous chasing an Anna's away, he was trying to claim the feeder."
Port Orchard, Washington on March 12th.

First Rufus of season! Very hungry. Kept returning to feeder."
Tenino, Washington on March 12th.

"First male Rufous has arrived. They usually arrive March 8th."
Thetis Island, British Columbia on March 12th.

Western Species
Southerly winds in the west brought many new Black-chinned and Broad-tailed arrivals.

"First Black-chinned! His feathers are fresh and bright. Blurry photo — I was just too excited to hold still!"
Dripping Springs, Texas on March 10th.

Rufous
Nectaring

winds
Rufous


Black-chinned

Rufous Hummingbirds Nectaring in California
Captured February 24, 2017 by Julie Joynt
Report Your Sightings
Hummingbird Migration: What to Report

Hummingbird Migration Map: Ruby-throated Hummingbird Hummingbird Migration Map: Rufous Hummingbird
What to Report Ruby-throated
map | animation | sightings
Rufous
map | animation | sightings
tnail of other species map Hummingbird Migration Map: Other Observations nectaring map
Other Species
map | animation | sightings
Other Observations
map | list
Nectaring
map | list
 
Next Update March 24, 2017