HUMMINGBIRDS Jewels of the Garden

Transcription

1 Brazoria County Master Gardeners February 15, 2018 HUMMINGBIRDS Jewels of the Garden Texas Master Gardener, Brazoria County, 1998 Texas Master Naturalist, Cradle of Texas, 2002 BCMG 1 Ruby Throat Rufus Buffbelly Blackchin BCMG 2 HUMMINGBIRD FACT VS. FICTION Hummingbirds are found on all the continents.» True or False????? Humingbirds are only found naturally in the Western Hemisphere. Hummingbirds are found as far north as Alaska and as far south as Chile (Patiagonia) BCMG 3 1

2 Hummingbirds drink through their beaks like a straw?» True or False? They lap up nectar with their tongues. Their tongues are grooved like the shape of a W. They also have tiny hairs on the tips of their tongues to help lap up nectar. BCMG 4 CROSS SECTION OF TOUNGE BCMG 5 BCMG 6 2

3 Hummingbirds can fly backwards.» True or false??? They can also hover in mid air. Fly sideways. Even fly upside-down. BCMG 7 Last question: Hummingbird Feather are brightly colored? True or False????? Not Pigmentation IRIDESCENCE REFRACTION BCMG 8 Distribution Hummers are native to the Western Hemisphere (about 350 species) Hummers are found in all states on U. S. mainland (24 species) Texas has the most species of any state 19 of 24 verified species Because of wildflowers Because of migration routes BCMG 9 3

4 Migration Hinges on sources of flower nectar/insects Usually starts here in February/March Males go first/establish territories Hummers may stay for 7-14 days if they find what they need. Most do not nest here Fall migration starts in July/August Prime time is September BCMG 10 RUBY-THROATED (Archilochus colubris) MALE FEMALE Photos BCMG Dan True 11 Most common in eastern US Weigh about 3g (penny) Migrates to Mexico and Central America Some fly across the Gulf Migrate at night Males migrate first A few over winter in Texas 2 Banded here found in Conn./New Brunswick BCMG 12 4

5 Ruby nest in central Texas Ruby-throated nest Cobwebs Lichens Expands as chicks grow BCMG 13 Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) MALE FEMALE BCMG 14 Almost impossible to tell the females apart BCMG 15 5

6 Western counterpart of Ruby-throated Breeds in Texas in Hill country/davis Mts. 2nd Most Widely Distributed Hummer Winters along the gulf Almost identical to Ruby Believed to have evolved from a common ancestor BCMG 16 Nest in Central and West Texas Easy to find around Concan/Garner State Park/Davis Mountains BCMG 17 Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) MALE FEMALE Photos Dan True BCMG 18 6

7 Northern most range Breeds all the way to Alaska Very Territorial Distinctive clicking sound Winter along Coast Houston-Seattle 2000 Longevity record 8 Years, 11 Months Famous Lady BCMG 19 (Selasphorus rufus) #32960 BIG MAMMA: Photo by Kathy Adams Clark Female Rufous Hummingbird November 2002 Banded by Charlie Brower - January, 2003 Known age: Hatched in 2002 Returned to same yard 8 (2010) winters in a row In March, 2011: Age 9 Years, 2 Months Same bird proven by band number Unknown where she goes during breeding season BCMG 20 January

8 Buff-bellied Hummingbird (Amazilia yucatanensis) Female buffie on Turk s Cap (Malvaviscus drummondii) Male on Mexican Fire Spike (Odontonema stricta) in back yard. Photo by Ellis Burkhardt BCMG 22 Large : male 4.5 inches 4.05 g Winters in Brazoria County Has a red bill Bill has a slight curve (droop) Aggressive and likes Big Mamma s feeder BCMG 23 OTHER SPECIES Documented In Brazoria County Broad tailed (Selasphorus platycercus) Very similar to Rufus (same family) Western bird-arizona BCMG 24 8

9 Magnificent (Eugenes fulgens) Banded at GCBO 2011 BCMG 25 Blue-throated Hummingbird Lampornis clemenciae Native to Mexico Largest US Hummer Found in Big Bend, Davis Mountains, Arizona BCMG 26 Broad-tailed Magnificent Calliope Violet-crowned BCMG 27 9

10 Species banded in our Garden Ruby-throated Black-chinned Rufous Allen s Buff-bellied Calliope BCMG 28 Nesting Lays 2 eggs Size of pinto bean 95º-97º Turns eggs 2 hrs. Nest stretches day incubation Uses nest next yr. More than 1 brood BCMG 29 Photo by Barbara Burkhardt Rufous Tailed Hummingbird Aurnel Volcano BCMG Lodge, Costa Rica 30 10

11 Mating Male chooses prime spot flowers/cover Puts on aerial displays to attract mate No song After mating, male stays only few days Females incubate eggs app. 14 days Brood time days BCMG 31 NECTAR Contains sugars, amino acids and other compounds. Varies with flower variety Higher in natives Not produced constantly FEEDING TRAP-LINING HAWKING BCMG GLEANING 32 Feeding 1 feeder= flowers Put up at least by August 1 for migration I feed more in winter than summer!!!!!!! Summer-2 feeders Winter 4-6 feeders CHANGE/CLEAN 3-4 DAYS BCMG 33 11

12 It is very important to keep feeders clean and filled with fresh nectar. Clean feeder/holes mild Cl solution Clean holes well Do not use feeders with bee guards. BCMG 34 Dilutions: Summer: 1:3 Winter/Migration: 1:3 Very Cold Weather: 1:2 Keeps from freezing---- Must be careful!!!!!! Viscosity BCMG 35 They remember where the feeders are and will return. Try to have more than one feeder. Piggy Place feeder in open Place feeders where they can t be seen Don t take your feeders down in winter. We have more hummers in winter than summer. BCMG 36 12

13 Predators No specialized predators in U.S. Frogs Wasps Praying-mantis Cats Screens/other man-made objects Plastic flowers Some song birds Orioles, flycatchers, small hawks, shrikes BCMG 37 Male Black Chin, BCMGFebruary BCMG 39 13

14 BCMG 40 FAVORITE PLANTS FOR HUMMERS MEXICAN FIRESPIKE (Odontonema stricta) Needs shade in afternoon *Turks Cap (Malvaviscus arboretus, var drummondii) *Trumpet Vine Hummingbird bush (Hamelia patens) sun Flame acanthus (Anisacanthus wrightii) Firecracker Fern (Russelia equisetiformis) *Red Rocket (Russelia sarmentosa) Cuphea Porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis) Shrimp Plant, Salvias, Coral Honeysuckle, etc BCMG 41 ADVERTISEMENT 2018 Master Naturalist Cradle of Texas Intern Class Check with AgriLife Office for Dates BCMG 42 14

15 QUESTIONS???????? BCMG 43 15