Sports section features the Rufous Hummingbird…
Adult Male Rufous-Hummingbird (copyright - Joe Burgess - www.wikipedia.edu)
I was doing a bit of research on the little Rufous Hummingbird, and I came across the following item in the Yakima Herald-Republic Outdoor Sports Section.
On the first Tuesday of each month, they feature the Wildlife Moment, featuring native wildlife, with the cooperation of the Yakima Valley Audubon Society.
Rufous hummingbird not afraid to ruffle feathers
July 4, 2011 in YH-R Outdoors
YAKIMA, Wash. — The rufous hummingbird has a definite behavioral problem. In the parlance of the playground, it clearly needs “a time-out” because, quite simply, it does not play well with others.
When this feisty bird finds an attractive sugar water feeder or clump of flowers, it becomes intensely territorial, chasing off any other hummingbird that dares to approach. It bullies other hummers even if there seems to be plenty of feeders or flowers to go around.
From May through the end of June, the black-chinned hummingbird is the species that nests and breeds at lower elevations in the Yakima Valley and Cascade foothills. The black-chin is a relatively placid hummer and for these two months, life is relatively peaceful. When the first southbound male rufous hummingbirds arrive at the end of June, though, hummer tranquility is replaced by instant warfare. Continue reading
Animated Rufous Hummingbird migration maps…
Rufous Hummingbird Migration Maps (Courtesy of www.birdingisfun.com)
The following exerpt of an article about the Rufous Hummingbird migrations illustrates how extensive this little hummer’s territories have become…
WINTER: So one would think that Rufous Hummingbirds all go to Mexico for the winter, right? Well, I wasn’t too shocked to see that many Rufous Hummingbirds winter in the gulf coast states because I’ve read articles from hummingbird banders about this fairly recently discovered phenomenon. What does surprise me about their December quarters is how frequently they are reported in the mid-Atlantic areas. By February, Rufous Hummingbirds have moved up the west coast and I am assuming that those on the east coast have moved down into Texas, while Mexican wintering Rufous are coming back up north into Texas or the west coast.
Thanks to the author for his extensive research and graphics expertise in putting this Rufous Hummingbird migration article together!
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