| What is faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful | | | | provinces and as far west as Texas. |
| than a locomotive (pound for pound), can leap tall | | | | In the west, the Black-chinned Hummingbird is |
| buildings in a single bound and eats the equivalent of | | | | performing a similar trek from Central America, settling |
| 278 Big Macs a day, just to keep from losing weight? | | | | all along the path to southern British Columbia. |
| So, you figured it out. I am talking about a hummingbird, | | | | During the spring and summer months the |
| seventeen species of which are known to have | | | | hummingbirds find plenty of food throughout their |
| nested in the United States. While all hummingbirds that | | | | range. As fall approaches and the days begin to |
| visit North America migrate to one degree or another, | | | | shorten in August the hummingbirds go into eating |
| several of them travel distances that are truly | | | | overdrive, gaining between 25% and 40% body |
| amazing. If you live in the east you are probably most | | | | weight, in preparation for their long migration south. |
| familiar with the Ruby-throated hummingbird and if you | | | | Soon they all begin to head south, individually, flying just |
| live in the west, you will likely be visited by the | | | | above the treetops, stopping frequently for food along |
| Black-chinned variety. Every spring they appear and | | | | the way. The Black-chinned making their long journey |
| every fall they disappear. | | | | back to Central America following their natural instinct |
| Why do they migrate? Hummingbirds migrate to exploit | | | | and also years of experience refines the routes they |
| brief windows of opportunity in habitats that cannot | | | | follow. The Ruby-throated southward migration is |
| support a year-round population. So this generally | | | | much more perilous as most will eventually make their |
| means flying north in the spring and south in the fall. | | | | way back across the Gulf of Mexico, many for the |
| Strong evidence exists that hummingbirds are very | | | | first time. As they make their way to the Gulf of |
| aware of the photoperiod (the amount of daylight | | | | Mexico, they average 20 to 25 miles per day, following |
| versus darkness) and this triggers their migration. Other | | | | the Mississippi Flyway or the Appalachian chain |
| scientists believe that as the flower and insect | | | | southward. Once they arrive at the coast they will rest |
| populations bloom in the spring and decline in the fall, | | | | and refuel and then make a single non-stop, 20 hour |
| the birds follow the food chain. So the hummingbirds | | | | flight of approximately 500 miles, across the Gulf of |
| migrate north to take advantage of the bounty of | | | | Mexico to Panama. Sailors and fishermen in the gulf |
| blooms and insects that spring brings to North America. | | | | have reported seeing them flying low over the water, |
| This provides the food and energy required for | | | | 200 miles from land. The flight path they take will be |
| courtship, mating, nesting and raising their young so | | | | the same one they used on their first trip. |
| they are ready for the southward migration in the fall. | | | | How can you help? A hummingbird feeder in your |
| The spring migration begins in February with sightings | | | | backyard can literally mean the difference between life |
| of the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds returning to all of | | | | and death to these birds. Living on the edge of |
| the lower gulf states and the black-chinned variety | | | | existence, as they do, hummingbirds who do survive |
| returning to Mexico border states. Those who will be | | | | their first year have an average lifespan of three to |
| returning to the northern states begin their migration | | | | four years, most of it spent in search of food. When |
| later, giving flowers a chance to bloom and insects to | | | | the hummingbirds return to your backyard they will be |
| hatch before they return, usually to the same gardens | | | | very hungry. A well designed feeder filled with the |
| and feeders, that they left the previous fall. | | | | appropriate nectar will have these little jewel-like |
| Where do they go? This is where it gets really | | | | creatures buzzing around your head, even landing on |
| interesting. The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds wintering | | | | your hand, in appreciation. Hummingbird feeders are |
| in Central America take the most direct route available | | | | easier to maintain and much less expensive than seed |
| while traveling north, up the Yucatan Peninsula and | | | | feeders. A cup of sugar, some water, and you are in |
| across the nearly 500 mile wide Gulf of Mexico! After | | | | business. |
| a brief rest they continue their journey as far north as | | | | The second part of this article will deal in detail with |
| the southern portions of the eastern Canadian | | | | flower gardens and hummingbird feeders. |