Asking
Good Questions
A scientist might first ask about the observer: What was his
or her experience? Did he or she know how to identify rufous
hummingbirds? We know that these observers had a lot of experience.
Next, a scientist might ask about the weather or climate in
the area where the hummers were spotted. The colors on this
map show how much above or below normal temperatures were in
October - December 2006. What do you notice?
Image: NOAA, National Climate
Data Center
let's look at some facts:
- Reports
of Sightings:
Rufous hummingbirds are being seen more and more often during
winter in the Midwest and East. In fact, more
Rufous hummingbirds were reported across the continent during
the February 2006 Great Backyard Bird Count than during any
of the last 8 years.
- Reports
of Sightings: Journey North receives more
reports of Rufous hummingbirds being out of their normal range
than of Ruby-throated hummers being out of range.
- Food:
Hummingbird feeding has become more popular during the last
10 to 15 years.
- Food:
When flower nectar is not available, rufous hummingbirds
can survive by feeding on sap and insects found in sapsucker
(woodpecker) holes.
- Biology:
Rufous hummingbirds are very cold hardy. They typically overwinter
in cooler regions than rubythroats do. They are often hatched
in cold mountainous areas and spend nights on nesting grounds
where the temperatures are near freezing.
- Weather/Climate:
Temperatures were quite different from normal at the end of
2006. Look at the map below to see how.