Fall Hummingbirds
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Fall Hummingbird Migration Photo Journal
Hummingbird Migration in the Fall is a sight to see. Before Hurricane Katrina swept through destroying thousands of acres of habitat, it was more impressive. These days, each week from August through mid October, several hundred hummingbirds (mostly Ruby Throated) will visit our dozen or more feeders. As the weather gets cooler and the need to fatten up for the trip across the Gulf of Mexico grows stronger, they are more willing to share the feeders.
Fall is also the time when the western species of hummingbirds begin to show up and many stay for the winter. Through the years, our habitat has hosted Rufous, Allens, Calliope, Broad tailed, Black-chinned and Buff-bellied hummingbirds.
It's a lot of fun to watch the antics of these tiny birds as they gather to feed before their dangerous trip across the Gulf of Mexico. I selected some of naturegirl7's photos of hummingbirds in fall and put together a photo journal. I hope you enjoy it.
Contents at a Glance
Hummingbirds at Every Feeder
Fall Hummingbird Migration by naturegirl7
In late August and September masses of hummingbirds descend upon our habitat here in southeastern Louisiana. Before Hurricane Katrina took down so many trees, as many as a thousand Ruby-throated Hummingbirds would visit our flowers and feeders in any given week. Since Katrina, the numbers are lower, but have been steadily increasing so that now several hundred will spend a few days with us, fattening up for the annual trip south to their wintering grounds. You can hear the chittering and fussing as they try to stake out the best feeders or flowers.
Rufous Female Hummingbird by naturegirl7
Along with the Ruby-throated hummingbirds, we often see some western species like Rufous, Allens, Broad tailed, Calliope, Buff bellied and Black chinned hummingbirds. These hummers are more colorful than the resident Ruby-throateds. Sometimes one or two of these western species will spend the winter here.
Ruby Throated Hummingbirds
Bright Red Ruby Throat by naturegirl7
The show actually begins in July, when the local adult males begin to congregate and really guard the feeders.
By late August, they look like they are wearing pantaloons because the fat has built up under their skin and it fluffs the feathers up.
These local males depart and the local adult females follow in a few weeks.
Juvenile Ruby-throat Postcard by naturegirl7
Last to go are the immature birds that hatched out that year.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird After Chase by naturegirl7
The local birds are soon replaced by a group of birds from just north of us. These birds will stay for a week or so and then head south to another good feeding spot. And so it goes through the fall. This happens all over the United States.
During September numbers increase as the urge to migrate grows stronger. The birds that come through in September probably nest in the northern most states.
We put up a lot of different feeders. As migration progresses, we use larger feeders. Most of our feeders are made by Perky Pet.
8 oz. Perky Pet
Perky-Pet 203CP Pinch Waist Glass 8-Ounce Hummingbird Feeder
Amazon Price: $6.63 (as of 05/31/2012)
Ruby-throat Sips Postcard by naturegirl7
By mid October only a few immature birds are left. Occasionally a Ruby-throat will spend the entire winter here, but that's not usually what happens.
30 oz. Perky Pet Feeder
Perky-Pet 209 Our Best 30-Ounce Glass Hummingbird Feeder
Amazon Price: $9.39 (as of 05/31/2012)
Female Rufous Hummingbird by naturegirl7
Very often, when the Ruby-throats thin out in October, one of the western species of hummingbirds (like a Rufous) shows up. Some say that they were here earlier, but we just don't notice them because of all the ruckus that the Ruby-throats make.
You usually hear a Rufous before you see it. Their angry tck call is easy distinguish from the Ruby throat's musical chitters.
Rufous call from Nature Songs North American Bird Sounds.
Grand Master 48 oz. Perky Pet
Perky-Pet 220 The Grand Master 48-Ounce Hummingbird Feeder
Amazon Price: $14.40 (as of 05/31/2012)
Hummingbird Migration
Rufous Hummingbird
This year an adult female Rufous arrived in August. We first observed and got pictures of her on August 17, 2010.
We thought we saw a band on her left leg, but couldn't be sure. She was very jumpy and it took several days to even get a halfway decent picture of her and it was on the wrong side to see the band.
On August 21, Linda Beall came to try to capture her, but as soon as the traps went up, she took off for parts unknown. We put up a "dummy" trap so that she would get used to going into a wire enclosure and hope for a capture in a couple of weeks. She came back the next day.
During the next few days, my wife finally got a slightly cloudy picture of her, showing the band on her left leg. This means that, more than likely, she is a returnee.
Rufous Female in Bush by naturegirl7 taken in January of 2010.
Linda has banded at least 5 different female Rufous in our habitat. In November of 2002, January of 2003, January of 2006, August of 2006 and February of 2010.
Yvonne stalked the elusive hummingbird and was able to get some pretty good pictures of her. We are comparing them to photos we took of the others. Sometimes you can identify adult female Rufous by the pattern of their throat patch.
Rufous Females Photos
Head and throat patch of Rufous Female with band, August, 2010
But the only sure way is to read the band number. So far Yvonne has only been able to get a partial id. We can make out the numbers 70 on one photo and a possible 2, 3, or 5 on another.
We think that if she is a returnee, the most likely candidate is the one that was banded in August of 2006. It just so happens that the band number of the August, 2006 Rufous female is C25701. You can see it on the record sheet on the August, 2006 bird in the photo above.
September Rufous Hummingbird by naturegirl7
The day the photos of the band were taken, the Rufous was being bombarded by multiple adult and immature male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds who were trying to take over the feeder that she had claimed.
Male Ruby Throated Hummingbird by naturegirl7
The next day, there was an adult male Ruby throat on her favorite perch, guarding the feeder.
We hope that she just moved around to the other side of the house or to another spot that is not so crowded. We have 11 feeders up on different sides of the house and in the yard, plus many hummingbird flowers. We are monitoring all, hoping for a glimpse of the Rufous.
Hummingbird Migration Explained
Hummingbirds in Our Area
Hummzinger Feeder
Aspects 367 Hummzinger Ultra Hummingbird Feeder, 12-Ounce
Amazon Price: $15.39 (as of 05/31/2012)
Hummingbirds on Amazon
Perky Pet 121TF Top-Fill Push-Pull Hummingbird Feeder, Primrose
The Perky Pet Primrose top-fill hummingbird feeder more...1 point
Aspects 381 Hummzinger Fancy Hummingbird Feeder - Rose
12-ounce capacity. With the combination of style a more...0 points
Mini Hummingbird Hummzinger, Red
Encourages hummingbirds to stay and feed longer. A more...0 points
Hummzinger Excel Feeder, Red
Integrated wrap around perch that encourages hummi more...0 points
Perky Pet 221 Hummingbird Oasis Feeder, 16 oz capacity
The Perky-Pet Hummingbird Oasis Feeder features si more...0 points
Perky Pet 120TF Top-Fill Push-Pull Hummingbird Feeder, Magnolia
The Perky Pet Magnolia top-fill hummingbird feeder more...0 points
Perky Pet 122TF Top-Fill Push-Pull Hummingbird Feeder, Aster
The Perky Pet Aster top-fill hummingbird feeder fe more...0 points
Perky Pet Window Mount Feeder Vertical
The Window Mount Hummingbird Feeder easily attache more...0 points
Stokes Hummingbird Book : The Complete Guide to Attracting, Identifying, and Enjoying Hummingbirds by Donald Stokes, Lillian Stokes
With seventy full-color photographs, eight range m more...0 points
The Secret Lives of Hummingbirds by David Wentworth Lazaroff
There is a sense of mystery that surrounds humming more...0 points
Nature: Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds take extraordinary to a whole new lev more...0 points
Complete Book of Hummingbirds by Tony Tilford
Hummingbird plumage comes in all colors-emerald, ruby, more...0 points
First Flight: A Mother Hummingbird's Story
One of nature's smallest birds, a Black-chinned Hummingbird, more...0 points
A Hummingbird in My House: The Story of Squeak by Arnette Heidcamp
Anyone who has fallen under the spell of the hummingbird more...0 points
A Field Guide to Hummingbirds of North America (Peterson Field Guides(R)) by Sheri L. Williamson, Sheri L Williamson
Covering 31 North American species, with more than more...0 points
Hooked on Hummingbirds
Spectacular, close-up footage in slow motion, stop more...0 points
Hummingbirds of North America: The Photographic Guide by Steve Howell
This book is the first ever, comprehensive photographic more...0 points
Hummingbirds on eBay
Hummingbirds in Other Areas
Let us know what you think.
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Jolene_Belmain
May 17, 2012 @ 12:17 pm | delete
- I love hummingbirds, unfortunately we don't get many around my house, but we get tons of little black birds trying to eat out of the feeder lol.
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ricky-macleod Jan 17, 2011 @ 3:48 am | delete
- great lens dont think ill ever see a hummingbird in my back yard in uk we have such boring birds like sparrows blackbirds the only fascinating bird i usually see is a robin redbreast and thats rare nice lens though i like it
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LensbyLisa
Sep 21, 2010 @ 11:35 am | delete
- I have always been fascinated by hummingbirds! Love your pictures.
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VickiSims
Sep 19, 2010 @ 11:29 am | delete
- What a great lens - the photos are fantastic. Hummingbirds are fascinating. No matter how many I see, it is always a joy.
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partybuzz
Sep 19, 2010 @ 8:40 am | delete
- Beautiful photos and lens. Congratulations on the purple star! :)
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About Naturegirl7, Hummingbird Lover
by naturegirl7
My husband and I have always loved nature and the outdoors. We currently maintain a 9 acre private wildlife preserve.
We are Master Gardeners...
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Rufous Hummingbird Garden Flag
Rufous Hummingbird Garden Flag
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 05/31/2012)
Even though you may not have Rufous hummingbirds visiting your yard, you can enjoy them year round with this garden flag.
