Rufous hummingbirds do not breed or winter in the east, however, in recent years we are seeing them more frequently. The Rufous hummingbird pictured above is currently visiting Katherine Noblet's yard in Johnson City, TN in Carter County. That is about two hours northeast of where I live in Knoxville, in the Tennessee valley near the Smoky Mountains. But it certainly stirs excitement and anticipation. This is motivation and a reminder to everyone to leave a feeder out and stay alert for both late Ruby-throats and other migrating hummingbird species that you might otherwise not expect.
Links and resources:
Visit this link to learn about how bird banding has helped us find out more about hummingbird migration. Some migration patterns are changing.
The range map to the left is from Cornell's web page on the Rufous hummingbird. Visit the link to learn more about this species and its habits.
You may also want to visit the Hummingbird Study Group for more information about this species and other hummingbirds.
Report sightings of hummingbirds in the east after November 1st to Bob and Martha Sargent, Rubythroat@aol.com or 205-681-2888. In east Tennessee, report sightings to Mark Armstrong, 865-748-2224.
For more of my posts on our eastern breeding Ruby-throated hummingbirds click the link.
Ahh lucky you have a rufous in E Tenn. I think they are pretty much wanderers from what I read on them. I have seen nothing at my feeders but the syrup is slowly but surely going down. Something is there! Maybe I have a rufous and don't know it! My encore azaleas are directly under this feeder so maybe they are attracted to that!
ReplyDeleteSo nice to have azaleas adding to your color this time of year. Do you have Downy woodpeckers around your yard? I watched one of my downies land on my feeder with the tiny perches and bend sideways to lick nectar. I may have to take it down since I'm afraid they will break the perches. The feeder with the more substantial perch, like the one pictured in the post, is still up also. That will be my winter choice.
ReplyDeleteYes Vickie we have downy woodpeckers here too. Year before last I had a pair of red headed woodpeckers that stayed at my feeders. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI have heard the some of the finches will also try and eat the nectar from the feeders and orioles.
November 9th in Sevierville Tn., a few hours ago saw a hummingbird. Has been feeding on pineapple sage and the feeder. Is it just flying by or will it stay for a day or 2?
ReplyDeleteAnnie,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your note. Since the hummer has been coming to your feeder and visiting the pineapple sage, it is likely it will hang around as long as the nectar is available, so keep watching for it. Email me at viclcsw (at)aol (dot) com and I will get you in touch with a bander who can capture and band it and confirm the species. Vickie