Seward, Alaska
Seward’s hummingbirds usually
migrate by mid July, but I had a report from the Clearview area that a
hummingbird visited their feeder this morning around 7:30 am. To my
amazement, a female Rufous Hummingbird visited my feeder this evening about
8:30 pm.
After July 15th, be on the lookout
for different species such as the Anna’s Hummingbird, which looks very similar,
but does not have any rufous coloration.
According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website, the Rufous
Hummingbird migrates from southern Alaska to Mexico, roughly 3,900 miles
one-way. This is the longest migration route of all US hummingbirds, and an
astounding feat for a bird that only weighs 3.41 grams, less than two pennies!
If you want to feed these
incredible hummers, boil 4 cups water and add 1 cup granulated sugar. Do not
add red food coloring as it may cause tumors. Cool, and partially fill feeder;
no need to top it off as the demand is low. Store any surplus sugar water in
the refrigerator; it will keep up to a week. Clean the feeder and change the
feeder solution every few days or when it turns cloudy, whichever comes first.
Happy Birding!
Seward
Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
Carol
Griswold
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