Here is a very interesting and surprising fact about the Anna’s Hummingbird: it was originally only found on the Pacific slope from Baja California to San Francisco. This bird has increased its population and expanded its breeding range in recent years to Vancouver, British Colombia, and east to southern Arizona. This expansion is believed to be due to the introduction of exotic flowering plants, especially Eucalyptus, red-hot-poker and tree tobacco, and by the proliferation of hummingbird feeders.
Month: July 2008
Do you enjoy hummingbirds? Are you looking to get away for a few days of rest and relaxation? If so, I have discovered the perfect opportunity for you to accomplish these two things at the same time. Let me explain.
This weekend, July 26-27, 2008, the Myrtles plantation which is located in St. Francisville Louisiana will be the site of a program on hummingbird banding as well as garden tours. The Myrtles plantation has been rated as one of the most haunted in the country.
I have personally never been to this area before, but others seem to indicate that it is a lovely place to visit. It is located only about two hours and 30 minutes from Slidell LA. Why not take your family or your significant other and spend some time up there enjoying the beauty and splendor of nature as well a enjoying a relaxing summer get away? I’m sure that you won’t regret it. I wish I were able to go there myself, but I can’t. Oh well, maybe some day!
Most people probably have the mistaken idea that hummingbirds are in constant and perpetual motion. I myself had this mistaken idea until I began researching and writing about hummingbirds. Yes, hummingbirds do spend a great deal of time in flight, usually while they are feeding, but hummingbirds also spend time perched.
Hummingbirds spend much of their time perched rather then in flight. You will usually see hummingbirds perched at your feeders when they are feeding. Hummingbirds will also spend some time perched to survey their territory and surroundings. They will also often perch while visiting a birdbath.
It may surprise you to discover that hummingbirds have very poorly developed feet and therefore they can barely walk at all. This is the most likely reason why hummingbirds prefer flight rather then being perched somewhere. The hummingbird is much more comfortable in flight.
The Calliope Hummingbird breeds in western mountains as far north as central British Columbia. Spring migrants arrive in southern California in early March. This hummingbird arrives in Oregon in early May. Birds may not arrive in Idaho and Montana until mid-or late May. Fall migration is early. Calliopes depart from Washington, British Columbia, and Idaho in late August. Migrating birds can be seen in Arizona and New Mexico.
The hummingbird will migrate in the fall and spring of each year. This post will give you some general information on the migration of the Calliope Hummingbird. It is important to remember that when and where hummingbirds will migrate depends on where you live. Keep watching for the hummingbirds in your area, and happy bird watching to all!
Eighteen different species of hummingbirds have been found in the state of Texas, and another seven species are thought to be close to the state so they could potentially be in our region of the state. In Southeast Texas, where I live, the most common hummingbird to be found here is the Ruby-throated hummingbird. During the spring migration season, which last from March through May, they will pass through here on the journey northward. Then beginning in mid-July the birds that are migrating southwards begin to appear and the number of birds will increase in September.
There are several species of hummingbirds that spend the winter months in Texas. The most common species of hummingbirds to do this are the Rufous and the Black-chinned hummingbirds. It is rare but you will also occasionally find Allen’s, Anna’s, Calliope, Costa’s, Broad-tailed and Buff-bellied hummingbirds.
Occasionally, a much rarer species of hummingbird such as Broad-billed or even a Green-breasted Mango or Green Violet-ear appear in Texas. Many avid hummingbird watchers hope that they will one day be lucky enough to see one of these extremely rare hummingbirds at their hummingbird feeder.