Hummingbird In The Snow... by nongo
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Description
Yes, it's true we have hummingbirds here in the winter!!! I wouldn't have believed it if he didn't
look in the window asking for food last winter. Then he came back this winter too... I have to have
two feeders to alternate, when one freezes, I change to the room temperature one...
Amazing... enjoy...
some info:
Winter Feeding of Hummingbirds
"When should I take my hummingbird feeders down?" is a perennial question asked by nearly everyone who puts up a hummingbird feeder. Immediately following that question is "Won't I stop the hummingbirds from migrating if I leave up my feeders in the fall?"
The answers are very simple: "Whenever you wish to stop maintaining them" and "No."
A deceptively small yet incredibly profound fact has recently been discovered: It is being proven, by banding and recapture studies, that hummingbirds survive winter conditions in the United States very well on their own, and not only make it back to their traditional breeding grounds but actually return to the very same winter feeding grounds year after year after year. By making nectar plants, feeders, and natural habitat available all year you are helping hummingbirds, not hindering them, during the fall and winter months.
Hummingbirds are a lot tougher than they look. As one hummingbird bander has pointed out, could you survive outside in 4 degree F temperatures and nine inches of snow? Hummingbirds can and do so, given the right habitat and resources, and it appears to be the norm rather than the exception.
Responsibility for maintaining winter feeders is the same as in summer, of course, except that you may have to contend with your sugar solution freezing rather than "going bad". Many people use heat lamps to keep feeders thawed in sub-freezing weather; some keep extra feeders on hand inside and swap out frozen feeders as needed.
Some basic tips for those of you that normally do not get year-round hummingbird activity:
1) Keep those feeders up & maintained and gardens blooming as long as you can. You will not prevent a hummingbird from migrating, but your efforts might help a hummingbird survive.
2) If you have a hummingbird show up off season in your yard (either a very late summer resident or a hummingbird not usual to your location), contact your local bird watching group (usually an Audubon society), both to make them aware of the bird and for professional identification and documentation.
3) Collect as much information as you can on any late season hummingbird that shows up in your yard: get photos if possible; describe it in writing as well as you can; identify it if possible; note the date when the bird first appeared and when it was last seen; record any daily activity patterns of the bird, such as when it visits the garden/feeder and how often.
4) Notify hummingbird researchers (post a message to the Hummingbird Garden Forum and we'll get you a contact) to report wintering hummingbird(s) and to find out if there is a permitted hummingbird bander in your area.
Comments (28)
thevolunteer
Fascinating information. Fantastic capture as well. Who would have thunk it. Happy holidays. Aloha
babuci
Most interesting data about a fragile bird. Excelent capture.
mermaid
wow I never knew they stay though winter...gald you feed them it must be a very hard time for them as they are high maintenace in energy and food anyway..smile
sharky_
I have never seen a hummingbird as of yet. Just pictures... And yet, never one in snow......kewl. Keep on feeding your new friend. Very nice capture. Aloha
PSDuck
Great picture. Good info. Here in Portland, Oregon, we have a couple of non-migrating hummers that visit our yard every day. The bar's open (feeder up) 24/7/365. Hummers go into a form of torpor to survive the extreme cold. That's how they survive the winters in north, central and south America. There are plenty of desert and mountainous environments where they live. Those get very cold! The little creatures are not all SoCal birds.
Garlor
Big surprise, and good catch
BorisB
A gorgeous winter scene!!
CavalierLady
Amazing! They must need an incredible amount of sustenance to withstand the cold weather! Quite a rare and opportune photo!!!
kgb224
Awesome capture.
GBCalls
Amazing capture! Excellent information as well.
Ger50
wow this is amazing, good to know that this lovely bird can find some food near your place
MrsRatbag
I've seen quite of few of them around here too. There seems to be a flock of them living down the street, the tree they inhabit is quite noisy at times and they "buzz" overhead when I walk past there.
MOODYBLUE92954
WONDERFUL PIC AND INFO
keeneye
It's not every day you see this combination!! What a great opportune shot!!! Thanks for the info!!!!!
flora-crassella
wonderful photo!!!!!
gunsan
Poor little darling! he is a beautiful photo model though. Wonderful mood in your shot!
durleybeachbum
Stunning!
DAVER2112
Wow! Now that's an image you don't see all the time! Have a Happy New Year!! :)
barbdennist
What a nice capture of your little hummer. We kept our feeders going during the snow but it was a challenge. The larger feeder out front was hard to thaw due to a poor design, so we rigged up a single Christmas light, tied it to the bottom of the feeder to keep the food from freezing. It worked and they didn't go hungry. We have one special little female hummer out back that has grown quite tame and I named her Rose, due to the brilliant red spot under her chin. She keeps us quite entertained. I love watching them.
kansas
Amazing capture. Excellent info. I had no idea they would be around in winter. Happy New Year!!!
tofi
Most interesting information--- such an enduring and tough litte bird! I can't help but feel as though I wish I could make him a little mini humming-coat! :) What a splendid capture indeed! It's most unique and beautiful to see such a subject in such a setting! Glorious artwork, my Friend.. and wishing you a Bright and Beautiful 2009, and many, many more!
auntietk
I seem to have hummingbirds on an intermittant basis ... probably depending on what's in bloom in my garden! :) They seem to like my forsythia, monarda, and of course the nicotiana. But none in winter. I didn't know they stayed! Gorgeous shot.
RobyHermida
Beautiful !!!! ./'.¸¸.•¤¤•.¸.•¤¤•.. •. .• HAPPY NEW YEAR /.••.¸..•¤¤•.,.•¤¤•. Hugs!!!!!! ROBY ;O)--------------------------------♥
dbrv6
Great writeup especialy since we have a number of humingbrids here. They are very territorial as well.
smittan
Nice Capture !!
brylaz
Great and beautiful!! Bravo!
flavia49
Extraordinary capture!! a fav!
GinoBossoleti
¡¡Muy buena fotografia le felicito!!! Gino B.