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Orioles should begin to arrive in the U.S. very soon. Already, the first sightings of hummingbirds and a handful of other neotropical migratory birds were reported, according to the National Birding Hotline Cooperative. You'll find reports from Florida, Georgia and Texas below. When you see your first oriole, please send a message to: jn-report@learner.org or fill out a field data form on the WWW.
Report from the Oriole's Wintering Grounds
This week we are very lucky to have a first-hand report from Central America about several neo-tropical migrants. Naturalist Jim Gilbert, an author and award-winning Environmental Science teacher, is now visiting Costa Rica. Jim reported last Sunday that, after only one day in Costa Rica, he had already seen several neotropical migrants including the following species:
-Baltimore (Northern) Oriole
-Barn Swallows (Barn Swallows winter in South America. They are now coming up through Central America on their
way north!)
-Spotted Sandpiper
-Great Egrets
-Wilson's Warbler
Costa Rica is located in the southern half of Central America, between Panama and Nicaragua, and it hosts an amazingly diverse number of birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles and plants. Jim Gilbert reported that there are over 853 species of birds in Costa Rica, and that about 225 are actually migrants from North America that spend their winters in Costa Rica. Maybe some of these migrants visit your backyard during the spring and summer!
The immense biodiversity found in Costa Rica might seem surprising since Costa Rica is such a small country--it is no larger than the state of West Virginia. Yet it is known to be one of the most biologically diverse places on earth. It is said to have over 300 species of reptiles and amphibians, 200 species of mammals, thousands of species of plants, and more than 800 species of birds!
Can you think of why Costa Rica has such biodiversity? Scientists believe it is due to the fact that Costa Rica (and Panama) lie right in between North and South America. Being this close to both continents made Costa Rica something like a bridge which plants and animals could migrate across over the centuries. The result of this is that Costa Rica has been left with one of the most diverse collections of plant life anywhere on the planet--and as a result, the neotropical migrants have one of the most diverse food sources on earth!
According to the book "A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica", the same general range of food types is available to birds in the Northern Temperate Zone. However, in Costa Rica many of these foods are available in much greater abundance and variety year-round.
For the Northern Oriole, this means that there are many things for it to feed on. The Northern Oriole is believed to feed on the following things while in Costa Rica: nectar from trees (Erythrina, Inga, and Calliandra), vines, and the many different types of epiphytes (plants that grow on other plants, such as orchids); it also eats bananas and other fruits, as well as insects found on branches and leaves.
No wonder Christopher Columbus called this area "Costa Rica" when he first saw it--"Costa Rica" means "rich coast". Costa Rica is rich with biodiversity!!
After hearing about this rich variety of food doesn't this question come to mind?
Challenge Question # 59
"Why do you think orioles and other neotropical migratory birds leave the neotropics and come to North America?"
While we're on the topic of neotropical migratory birds, NOBODY answered the challenge question in our last report! So here it is again:
Challenge Question # 39
"In addition to the northern oriole, are any other birds being tracked by Journey North "neotropical migrants"? If so, which species?"
To respond to these Challenge Questions, please see the instructions below.
Other News about Neotropical Migrants
(Credit: Edited from the National Birding Hotline Cooperative)
From GEORGIA:
March 18, 1996
Several ruby-throated hummingbirds, including one male, were reported from a backyard on Hammock Lake in Lake Park,
GA over the weekend. Yellow-rumped and northern parula warblers are also back in force. Georgia Ornithological
Society
From FLORIDA:
March 22
The Gainesville area has reported the return of ruby-throated hummingbirds, purple martins and barn swallows. Georgia
Ornithological Society
From GEORGIA:
March 22
The following breeders have returned in good numbers within the past week: ruby-throated hummingbirds, purple martins
& barn swallows (the latter 2 within the past 2 days). This morning at Lake Louise between Valdosta and Lake
Park, hermit thrush & palm warbler were seen; yellow-throated warbler & ruby-crowned kinglet were singing
Georgia Ornithological Society
From TEXAS:
March 25
Two ruby-throated hummingbirds were reported Monday 3/25 coming to one of 9 feeders on Ridgewood Drive in west
Waco, TX. This hummingbird site has up to 30 feeders placed during peak migration and typically leaves several
feeders up all winter. The earliest record for ruby-throated hummingbirds is 3/24. In about two weeks the Ruby-throated
males normally arrive. Central Texas Audubon Hotline E.G. White-Swift Waco, Texas eg-whiteswift@waco.net
How to Respond to Challenge Question # 39
1. Address an e-mail message to: jn-challenge@learner.org
2. In the Subject Line of your message write: Challenge Question #39.
3. In the Body of your message, answer this question:
"In addition to the northern oriole, are any other birds being tracked by Journey North "neotropical migrants"? If so, which species?"
How to Respond to Challenge Question # 59
1. Address an e-mail message to: jn-challenge@learner.org
2. In the Subject Line of your message write: Challenge Question #59.
3. In the Body of your message, answer this question:
"Why do you think orioles and other neotropical migratory birds leave the neotropics and come to North America?"
The Next Northern Oriole Migration Update Will be Posted on April 4, 1996.
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