by Donna Lewis
I have to say that I have never had any species of hummingbirds here at my house in Milam County during December, January, or February.
So why now? I have really thought about it and there are several possible reasons, but I will leave that up to the biologists to tell us. I know they are seeing this also and working on the answers.
So, to get to the real news…I have about four to five hummers that have been here for months. I finally got a shot at one, and I think it’s a Rufous hummingbird.
If any of you think differently, by all means tell me. It is very feeder aggressive and will not allow the others to even come near the feeder.
I did read that it is more temperature hardy than many other hummingbirds. It will need that shortly!
This small little bird has a copper coloring underpart and its sides are copper also.
Besides it, we have about 3 or 4 what I think are Black-chin juveniles or females. Once again I have not been able to get a good photo of them, but here’s a try.
I have talked to several other birders in the area and they also have some hummers they have never seen here at this time of the year.
It pays to be observant.
So with some very severe weather soon to be upon us, here are a few tips.
- This is when a little extra bird seed will assist them. There are not many insects out when it’s cold.
- Adding suet near your feeders will help with the fat that helps birds stay warmer.
- And last but not least water. You may have to bust some ice up for them.
All these actions are for the big birds.
For the hummers, you need to bring their feeders in at dusk and return them at dawn. They will freeze when it’s really cold.
The birds thank you.
Donna Lewis
Nature Along the El Camino Real 