Within the past two weeks the population of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) here at my feeders, has dropped considerably. I had been putting out two quarts of syrup each day. Now I put out one cup each day. Big drop.
They’re packing their bags. Heading south. Migrating for the winter to Central America and Mexico. And it has been discovered that the Ruby-throated Hummingbird’s winter location is expanding further north to include the Gulf Coast states up the Atlantic Coast to South Carolina.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds generally live to be between 3 and 5 years old. They learn to recognize the people that feed them, sometimes letting them know if the feeder is empty or needs fresh syrup.
As the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds migrate from north to south and back again they fly alone. They’re solitary birds. Often they’ll return to the same feeders, the same location where they were hatched. I sure will look forward to having them return to their summer home here in the mountains next spring.
Vaya al sur! Wish our cardinal would join the southern migration!
I’ve definitely noticed repeat customers! ha ha They arrive before I’m ready and swarm around the area where the feeder should be. It’s been very nice this year because one of my first hummers, who I named Felix, arrived depleted and weary. But he revived and after sitting peacefully on the swing won the heart of a lady. They have had 2 hatchlings and he’s been teaching them survival (sparing at the feeder) this week. It’s so very interesting to watch. I hope to see them all next year!