How
was it possible, we asked, for Rufous hummingbirds to be in Alaska
when Rubythroats were still clustered in the southern United States?
New
Jersey students Stephen, Shawn, Nick L, and Zooraze knew climate
and habitat must be important. "The different types of hummingbirds
probably have different needs and climates at different times,"
they suspected.
Most
people are surprised when they look closely at North America's climate
patterns. Let's compare the climate where both hummingbird species
are migrating right now. Notice that some parts of Alaska are warmer
than parts of the lower 48 U.S. states!
These
temperature maps show the forecasts for the week ahead. Compare
the temperatures in the areas where rufous and ruby-throated hummingbirds
have now returned.
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