Humming Along

In Waller County, we have the pleasure of observing hummingbirds throughout the year. During winter, we welcome several Rufous Hummingbirds, while in the summer, the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds visit us. The most thrilling period is just around the corner. Beginning in mid-August, our property will be humming with around 100 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds as they prepare for their southward migration. Our entire area serves as a crucial stopover for these tiny birds. The migration across the Gulf of Mexico is lengthy and hazardous, requiring these small fliers to be ready for hours of continuous flying without food or fresh water.

This is an ideal time to get your hummingbird feeders ready. Planting nectar-rich native flowers in your garden will also attract these fascinating birds. To make nectar, all you need is plain granulated sugar and water, using a ratio of one part sugar to four parts water. Regularly replace the nectar, especially if it becomes cloudy. In the summer heat, sugar water can ferment into harmful alcohol, so it's important to change it daily or every other day when it's hot.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have the largest breeding range of any hummingbird and are the only breeding hummer in the eastern U.S. Males will begin migration first in early August. Once the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have moved south we will once again host the Rufous Hummers. According to the All About Birds website from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, "The Rufous Hummingbird makes one of the longest migratory journeys of any bird in the world, as measured by body size. At just over 3 inches long, its roughly 3,900-mile movement (one-way) from Alaska to Mexico is equivalent to 78,470,000 body lengths. In comparison, the 13-inch-long Arctic Tern's one-way flight of about 11,185 mi is only 51,430,000 body lengths."

Rufous Hummingbirds have an excellent memory and we hope the few that wintered here at Wild Bird Adventures will be the ones to return later this year.

If you're interested in learning more about hummingbirds, attend the annual Kleb Woods Hummingbird Festival on September 13th from 9am to 2PM. You'll discover fascinating information about these incredible birds and observe their banding for scientific research and study. Wild Bird Adventures will also be present with some educational ambassador raptors to promote bird conservation. Be sure to stop by our booth and visit!

Rufous Hummingbird