Rfalconcam Forum

The southward migration of ruby-throated hummingbirds continues to move through our area. While the bulk of these tiny avian treasures has already passed through, many will continue to make their way into and through the area in decreasing numbers from now through the end of October.

The vast majority of hummingbirds you see at your flowers and feeders are not local birds.

Adult male hummingbirds that breed in our area started leaving their territories in mid-July. The first baby hummingbirds that were born in our area started leaving their nests in early June.


If you didn't see hummingbirds at your flowers and feeders during June, it means these avian jewels do not breed in your immediate area. By mid-August, the only locally born hummers at our flowers and feeders are just a handful from late nesting attempts.

The birds you're seeing now may have already traveled from as far as Pennsylvania, New York or even Ontario, Canada, and mid-western Canada.

Most of the hummers you see at your feeders and flowers are one-day wonders. They're replaced the next day by others following the same route to customary wintering grounds in more tropical climes.

A few may sojourn for a couple of days, taking advantage of abundant resources to increase their body mass. All of these tiny birds will increase their weight significantly as they travel southward, and some will even double their mass by the time they reach the Gulf Coast.

The additional mass is accumulated in the form of fat located just below the skin. If you look closely at the birds visiting your feeders, some are noticeably plumper than others, and when perched may even appear to be "hump-backed."

For most of our tiny hummer friends, these fat deposits are ultimately fuel for an amazing nonstop flight across 550 miles of open water, the Gulf of Mexico.

Depending on the winds and weather conditions, this flight may take 16 to 24 hours, the tiny winglets moving nearly every inch of the way.

Hummingbirds do not glide well and must use powered flight to transport themselves.

For many years, scientists were perplexed by the question of how these miniature marvels could make such an epic journey, until they discovered the birds' ability to increase their mass by accumulating fat stores.

Fats have double the calories (energy) of carbohydrates or protein. Unlike humans, birds can readily convert their fat deposits to energy, and thus the mystery of the ruby-throated hummingbird's amazing long-distance flight ability was solved.

Pic worked when I clicked it.

Nice! :yes:  Thanks Donna. :gum:

Can't you just see all those little guys winging their way to warmer climes? Hardly seems possible, does it? Seems even more impossible that butterflies would make such long journeys.  We are surrounded by wonder.

Ok, here's what I don't get about Butterflies. My niece has a butterfly garden, all have morphed into beautiful "Painted Ladies". It says in the directions, after they emerge from their Chrysalis, feed them sugar water for a few days then let them go outside. They will stay around for a few days then lay their eggs and die after 14 days. Sooooooooo, how do they migrate if they die after 2 weeks?  ??? (http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb156/CCGirl_photos/Smilies/107195w.gif)

Good one. I would love to know too... as I said, tho - surrounded by wonder! I did not (BTW) know that there were Painted Ladies over there. We had a big arrival last year, and everyone was talking about it. Not so for 2010 - who knows why. Hope someone gets back with an answer for us.

What I am thinking is that those eggs hatch into the next generation, and it is these young that migrate... Yes? No? Maybe so??

Donna not all butterflies migrate. Monarchs do, not sure what others do. But for those that do its the last ones hatched born what ever of a season that do. They fly south spend the winter then they come north again and start the cycle over. Lay eggs, hatch become caterpillars, morph into butterflies, mate, lay eggs on and on until close to fall then the last ones once again fly south. What is amazing is this must be imprinted (or God directed which ever you prefer) for these guys to know where to go on there migration.

some butterflies spend the winter as caterpillars, some as pupa depends on the butterfly. Amazing creatures and beautiful too.

Thanks, BC. There are lovely little ones here called Red Admirals that have a habit of "hibernating" inside houses for the winter... usually in the folds of curtains, for some reason. Every now and then, on a warm winter's day, they will come fluttering into the room, leaving us to wonder whether to let them out (we do) or try to discourage them (how an we?). They must do what you have described, except they do not migrate.

Ya learn something new every day. Thanks BC.

I've never had butterflies in my house but I do get ladybugs every fall. I usually feed them on the window sill. They like grape jelly.  :secret2:

How sweet it is BC!   ;)