Hummingbird Migration--Leave a Winter Feeder Out!

Ruby-throated hummingbird migration through Tennessee is winding down.  Most people assume all hummers are gone.  It is true that the majority of migrating hummers are well south of Tennessee now, but there are some late individuals coming through.  

Last night I had two in the evening, one perched next to the pineapple sage, nectaring and resting, nectaring and resting, with no feeder visits.  The second was perched high on a limb and made a brief visit to the flowers before being chased away by the first bird.

This morning I also had two ruby-throats visiting the pineapple sage. Both of these birds also visited the feeders briefly and were seen between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m.  In the days previous, the hummers I have observed have only been nectaring the salvia, both the black and blue variety and the pineapple sage.  

I have had good luck with the pineapple sage I planted this spring and it is blooming profusely right now. The salvia family seems to love the cooler season and the hummingbirds love the salvia. Below, a hummer visiting the pineapple sage yesterday, Oct 12th.

Yesterday, I also went to a presentation given by Mark Armstrong, a Master Bander of hummingbirds and the person in our area to contact when we have a wintering hummingbird. Leaving a feeder out is a good thing to do if you live in the southeast. It is not that the hummingbirds that winter in our area need our feeders, but having a feeder out enables us to see them more readily and learn about these birds.

Above you see an immature Rufous Hummingbird that was captured and banded in January of 2011 in west Knoxville.  This hummingbird returned to the same area and was recaptured in December of 2012 as a healthy mature male.  Below, a slide presented by Mark in his presentation at Wild Birds Unlimited in Knoxville with historical information about wintering Rufous Hummingbirds in the southeast.

Bob Sargent has been banding Rufous hummingbirds in the east since the 1980's and his research suggests that a hardy strain of Rufous Hummingbirds is developing that is genetically programmed to winter in the southeast.

Mark explained that there are always hummingbirds that deviate from the expected migration route but the increase in Rufous hummingbirds doesn't fit with random events.  Hummers will travel to areas where the climate and food is beneficial to their survival and some are clearly drifting east and returning on a regular basis. Mark reported that all of the Rufous Hummingbirds he has banded are healthy, molting and growing new feathers, have a good level of fat, and clearly are fairing very well in the east Tennessee winter climate. These hummers depend on natural sources of nectar, insects, and tree sap to sustain their diet in the winter.

Allen's Hummingbird that wintered in Russellville, TN in 2011 and 2012. Photo credit: Billie Cantwell.

There are several species of hummingbirds that have been recorded in Tennessee in addition to the Rufous: Black-chinned Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Calliope Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, and Green Violetear. Unlike the Rufous, other hummingbirds are rare visitors and are not known to return for consecutive years. There are exceptions, such as the Allen's hummer that returned for a second season last year.  

There are many things that remain unknown about hummingbird migration.  Leaving a feeder out for wintering birds allows us to see the hummer and possibly band it so that biologists can learn more about hummingbird migration patterns, changes in these patterns, and about wintering species in the east.

If you live in the east and have a hummingbird visiting a feeder in your yard after November 15th report your observations. For information about who to contact if you have a wintering hummingbird, click this link.

Incubating female Allen's hummingbird sketched from a live webcam by Vickie Henderson.  The Allen's species breeds in coastal California and traditionally winters in northwest Mexico.

Links and Resources:

Mark Armstrong, Master Bander of hummingbirds and songbirds, Avian Curator at the Knoxville Zoo, and past president of the Knoxville Chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society

Blog posts on hummers wintering in Tennessee:
Allen's Hummingbird in east Russellville, TN
Calliope Hummingbird wintering in Nashville, TN
Rufous Hummingbird and Rufous Hummer in Knoxville
Migration Surprises
Hummingbird Study Group

Ruby-throat Combat is Serious Business

These are the final days of Ruby-throat migration.  The last of the juveniles and late female breeders will be gone from my area in east Tennessee in a little over a week, as they move southward and eventually arrive in their wintering areas in southern Mexico and Central America.

We often attribute Ruby-throated aggression to high testosterone levels during breeding season, but clearly some of that aggression is pure Ruby-throat personality. In fact, this young bird makes it appear they are born with this aggression and have a timing-mechanism that stimulates its expression by the time they migrate.

On most mornings recently, the hummers drink hurriedly and move on to feed on insects, paying little attention to each other, sometimes even settling on the same feeder to drink.  This morning was different, however, with two juveniles keeping up a relentless dispute over territory that lasted at least fifteen minutes, if not longer.  

Their combat included face to face flight moving high into the air and dropping low into foliage.  Once I saw them land on twigs in close proximity, each seeming to expect the other to leave before they finally tangled in defiance.  Sometimes they directed high speed dives at each other and many times I heard wing buzzing and in-flight "splats" like those you hear at the feeders, but neither would give up dominance.

Eventually, they ended up on the ground. Having seen this before, I expected a brief skirmish with both birds eager to return to the air.  What I saw surprised me.

One bird succeeded in pinning the other to the ground and seemed quite content to keep him there. His posture as he held the bird down gave every indication of victory, with wings spread, neck stretched, looking slowly from side-to-side, as if proud, giving the appearance of dominance posturing.  You can see the top bird's foot in the above image and some of the others. He appears to have the bird pinned by the shoulder and right wing.  It is also likely that his other foot is on the bird's beak since the pinned bird did not raise his head while on the ground.

While holding the downed bird firmly in place, the top hummer proceeded to alternately lift his feet up and down in a "kneading" pattern, his body rocking with the movement. The pace would be similar to the steady rhythm of kneading dough.  A hummer's version of stomping?  This movement and pin-down lasted approximately a full minute and I became concerned that the downed bird might not survive.

As you scroll through the images below, you will see that the bird on the bottom is trying to move, curving his back to struggle free and moving his left wing.

I can't be sure if the top bird was ready to leave and simply lifted off, or if the bird on the bottom wiggled free.  Since I couldn't see the bottom bird clearly while watching, after the top bird flew, I walked over to look at the ground and fully expected to see a dead hummingbird.  Much to my relief, he had flown too.

It is pretty amazing how quickly a hummingbird's life changes from timid fledgling to sword-carrying militant. Clearly this young male is wired for survival!

More about hummingbird aggression 
Bob Sargent on Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
Hummingbird Study Group
Other posts on Hummingbird migration

Albino Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Tennessee

A snow white beauty with pink bill, pink skin and red eyes, this albino ruby-throated hummingbird is visiting the home of friends, Cyndi and Steve Routledge, in middle Tennessee. (I'm ready to jump in the car and drive the four hours to visit them!)

One can't be entirely certain of the species because rufous hummingbirds from the west have already appeared in Tennessee, but since albino pigmented hummingbirds are short lived, this is more than likely a juvenile ruby-throated hummingbird.

According to Mark Armstrong, our Master Bander of hummingbirds here in Knoxville, Tennessee, Bob Sargent has banded about 50 albino hummingbirds over his career as a bander, but none have ever returned in subsequent years.

Albinism is a genetic mutation that prevents the production of melanin in the body, which is required for pigmentation or color.  Albinistic birds have pink or red eyes because of this lack of pigmentation--the eyes are reflecting the red color of the blood vessels.  Albinistic birds seldom live long because they are more visible to predators. Their odd appearance makes it more difficult for them to attract a mate so the genetic mutation for albinism is seldom passed to the next generation, making the occurrence of albinism very rare.

Cyndi describes their surprise discovery of the bird. "Steve first spotted the white bird on late Thursday afternoon (9/19). It was high in the canopy in our side yard in the afternoon sun searching for insects. At first he thought it was a big white moth, but soon realized what it truly was. He called to me (I was making dinner) and I was able to get a quick glimpse of it as it flew up and over the tree into the neighbor's yard."

Steve and Cyndi set up watch at the front and back feeders of their house and soon their snow white visitor reappeared.  

Above, albino ruby-throated hummingbird scratching. All photo credits in this post: Cyndi Routledge

The albino bird has been at the Routledges for four days.  Cyndi says, "He/she likes to perch in our Snowball Hydrangea bush.  Because it's white we have no way of knowing male or female unless it's "in hand".   I sent the pictures to Bob Sargent Thursday night since we were not sure whether it was a true albino or leucistic. Bob believes it's a true albino because it has pink legs, a pink bill, a red eye and pink skin."

Cyndi describes the bird as very vocal, "chattering away" when another ruby-throat comes into view.   "He likes to sit in the sunshine and preen, and I had a wonderful time watching him as it began to rain on Friday afternoon.  It was like he was taking a shower--fluffing and shaking and getting a quick drink from the raindrops on the leaves of the hydrangea."

"Alby, as Steve calls it, is very territorial of the hummingbird feeder that hangs right at the base of the hydrangea bush.  He chases off all other ruby-throats and this morning was chasing off Tufted Titmice who at first were actually chasing him/her.  My best guess was they, like ourselves, thought it was a large moth!"

"He also very much likes the salvia guaranitica (a gift from Bob and Martha Sargent this past spring) that is planted along our front sidewalk." (pictured above)

"This tiny little white bird is truly an amazing sight…it's a tiny little white angel."
Cyndi Routledge

All photo credits in this blog post:  Cyndi Routledge, photographer and naturalist in Clarksville, TN.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
Hummingbird Study Group
Cornell on Albinism and Leucism
Banding hummingbirds
Hummingbird migration

Swarming Hummingbirds Inspire Art

You won't be surprised that I think the most satisfying way to celebrate a joyful experience with a bird is to draw or paint that bird. That's just what seven-year-old Gail wanted to do, too, after having her close and exciting experience with the many hummingbirds that swarmed her Paris, TN, yard to visit feeders as a cold front was moving through.

I received Gail's permission to post her beautiful hummingbird drawing here, colored with Prisma watercolor pencils.

After I published the first post about her experience, "Swarming Hummingbirds Find a Special Perch", I thought about the patience it takes to wait for thirsty hummingbirds to settle down to perch before taking a drink.  When you watch the video you will see that Gail has that patience.  You will also see hummingbirds zipping all around her.  Even though there are five larger feeders, hummers still come to Gail and her small one-well feeder.  Her steady focus is rewarded.

Video credit:  Shawna Ellis

In Tennessee, hummingbirds more commonly trickle through our yards and stay so briefly that we don't see them unless we are sitting outside or watching through a window.  We seldom know how many are hidden among the tree limbs.  This is one of those special migration events that come rarely and unexpectedly when hummers advance on feeders in large numbers.  Gail's mother took the opportunity to offer Gail an unforgettable experience--her first time to be close to hummingbirds.  I am sure she will never forget it!

To see the first post about Gail's hummingbird experience visit:  Swarming Hummers Find a Special Perch

Visit the Discover Birds Blog to see how Knoxville's Chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society is helping to inspire more children Gail's age to enjoy birds.

Links and Resources:

To see more hummingbird blog posts visit this link:  Ruby-throated hummingbirds.

To find more facts about hummingbirds visit the Hummer Bird Study Group

Swarming Hummingbirds Find a Special Perch

A cold front moved through Tennessee yesterday resulting in frost warnings in the east after having temps in the 80's just a day before.  At the same time, we have been enjoying the arrival of Ruby-throated hummingbirds that are either migrating through or here to settle into their breeding territories.  One of my male feeder visitors was already busy chasing away new arrivals this morning in the brisk 38 F degree air.

On our bird alert network, TNBird, I read a fun account of hummingbirds swarming to feeders in west Tennessee, April 19th.  Shawna Ellis returned to her home in Paris, TN, in the early evening, around 5:15 p.m,. to find her six nectar feeders swarming with hummingbirds and several of them empty.  She quickly filled the feeders and added two more.

Photo published with permission.  Photo by Shawna Ellis

Recalling her close encounters with hummers as a child, Shawna encouraged her seven year old daughter, Gail, to stand near the feeders.  Shawna describes Gail as "delighted in the exciting sensation of all the birds buzzing so near.  Tentatively she held out a finger and then she thrilled as a few different birds landed on it."    Gail is pictured above and below.

Photo published with permission.  Photo by Shawna Ellis.

There were six filled, larger feeders available near by when these photos were taken. Do you think it was the red coat that attracted the hummers to Gail and the small feeder next to her?

Many hours of observation lead me to believe that birds readily discern safety from danger and are far more observant than we sometimes give them credit. I like to think the hummers were attracted to Gail's innocent wonder and the special perch she was offering!

To see a video of Gail's experience visit Hummingbird Experience Inspires Art
Visit this link to see hummingbirds swarming to my feeders ahead of a front in September 2011.  To see more blog posts on hummingbirds visit this link.
Click this link to Bird and Blooms to see hummingbirds swarming to nectar feeders in Virginia after hurricane Irene moved through.

One Last Look at Ruby-throated Hummingbird Migration

Since my last post was about wintering hummingbirds and the presence of a Rufous hummingbird in east Tennessee, I thought I would take the opportunity to show you some of the juvenile images I took of young hummingbirds as they were migrating through on a grey day in late September.

I say young, only because their behavior was not typical of mature birds.  For example, at any one time there might be two to three hummers perched in the holly on various branches, some exhibiting guarding behaviors, others clearly just trying for a turn at the feeder without too much harassment.  As I've watched hummingbirds guard feeders throughout the season, I noticed that mature birds seldom tolerate another hummingbird in their chosen perch area once the intruder is detected.  These little ones seemed oblivious and tentative.  And watching them at close range was delightful.

So this post is a photo essay, paying tribute to hummingbirds and showing some of my favorite images from a morning with a very young appearing group of hummers.  Of course, hummingbirds are beautiful anyway and easy to fall in love with.  The garden and patio have seemed far too quiet without all that wing-buzzing and chirping going on.

Next post, I'll show you how I remedied all that quiet!

Links and resources:

Learn more about how bird banding helps us learn about hummingbirds.  

Visit the Hummingbird Study Group to learn more about hummingbird species.

Contacts for reporting sightings of hummingbirds during winter months in the east: Bob and Martha Sargent, Rubythroat@aol.com or 205-681-2888

Posts about Ruby-throated hummingbirds on this blog.

A Rufous Hummingbird in East Tennessee

I receive emails from our Tennessee bird club's list service so I can see what kind of bird activity is going on around the state.  This is especially fun during migration season and the winter months.  Though, I seldom travel to the places where unusual birds are sighted, it does give me opportunity to get to know the birds that are in my area of the state--in this case a rare for our area Rufous hummingbird.

Photo by:  Katherine Noblet, Johnson City, TN

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.  

Besides visiting the nectar feeder, Katherine reports that the Rufous visitor is feeding on pineapple sage and skip laurel blooms.    

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.

Hummers Swarming

When I arrived home from my office last evening, around 7:00, my feeders were swarming with hummingbirds.  I use that term both because of the large numbers, and the buzzing of that many wings all at once!  Amazing to experience in all aspects.

Three of the six feeders I had out were empty, so I quickly refilled them, then settled in a chair to watch the activity.  Hummers jockeyed for feeder position and then just as suddenly, settled quietly in groups of seven or more until the next addition came along disturbing the whole group.  A crisp gusting wind arrived along with the dimming light. We had a front coming through and the temperature had already dropped to 57 F, headed for around 52 F later.  And, while this is not terribly cold, it represents a considerable and sudden drop for this time of year in east Tennessee.

There were clearly more hummers converging on the feeders all at once than I had witnessed on any other evening this week.  I managed to catch as many as nine in some of the photos you see here, but there were more above and below the feeders than I could capture in one image.  Multiply that by six feeders, with at least four to six approaching and feeding on each, and you have an idea of the numbers I was seeing.

What a spectacle and a privilege.  Since the light was getting very low, I snapped a few images with the flash, thinking that I was probably accomplishing nothing.  But even though the color of the birds changed from their normal emerald green to gold, the images didn't turn out as bad as I initially thought.  I actually like the way the flash lit up their wings.  So, I'm sharing them with you just to give you a bit more of the experience.

The individual images you see below, were taken earlier in the week in better light conditions. I enjoy trying to capture flight images and will show these to you in another post. I use the images for art reference, useful even when they aren't so clear, but also because I enjoy seeing the magnification through the lens.  Sketching these birds while I watch is my next goal.  I think I'm close.  I've certainly watched them enough!

I've had one male at the feeders for the past few days that has a warning chirp considerably different from the others.  It sounds a bit like the rhythm of a chickadee call, but higher pitched.  In a synchronous moment, I managed to capture an image of him at the same time I heard his voice.  It wasn't until I looked at the image that I realized his lower beak is damaged, bent so that it doesn't completely close.

These are not exactly the details you want to see, but I comfort myself in seeing that he seems healthy and preened, and has done a fair job of establishing his place at the feeder, guarding from the top from time to time.  In fact, I've seen several males guarding from that position this season, maybe because of the heavy migration numbers.  This one was in the middle of all the fray.  I expect he, along with many others, said their goodbyes to this feeding station, and I'll be seeing a fresh group of faces with first light.