Our Hummingbird Research banding crew has completed another winter hummingbird
banding season in the Southeast. We combined to band 100 hummingbirds of seven
species. Those include 39 Rufous, 38 Ruby-throated, 12 Black-chinned, 5
Calliopes, 3 Buff-bellied, 2 Allen’s, and 1 Broad-billed.
We had 21 of our previously banded hummingbirds return to or near the original
banding location. 15 Rufous returned including 2 back for the second winter, 6
back for the third winter, and 7 back for the fourth winter. Four
Ruby-throated returned including 2 back for the second winter, 1 back for the
third winter, and 1 back for the eighth winter. Another return was a
Black-chinned back for the 6th winter. One Buff-bellied hummingbird also
returned for the second winter.
Three hummingbirds were recaptured at locations other than where they were
originally banded:
January 18, 2017 – In Saraland AL, I caught a female Rufous banded January 26,
2015 in Lafayette, LA. 240 miles between banding and recapture.
February 2, 2017 – In Selma AL. I caught a female Rufous I banded January 4,
2014 at in Dothan, AL. 150 miles between banding and recapture.
February 3, 2017 - In Sasser GA, I caught a female Rufous I
banded December 2012 in Niceville FL. That bird has wintered at the home in
Sasser the past four winters. 150 miles between banding and recapture.
Comparisons with the five previous seasons are:
2011/2012 - 402 banded with 20 returns and 6 foreign recaptures
2012/2013 - 311 banded with 20 returns and 4 foreign recaptures
2013/2014 - 289 banded with 46 returns and 11 foreign recaptures
2014/2015 - 121 banded with 47 returns and 6 foreign recaptures
2015/2016 - 132 banded with 31 returns and 6 foreign recaptures
2016/2017 - 100 Banded with 21 Returns and 3 foreign recaptures
Banding totals were the lowest since I started winter banding in 1998. There
are so many variables about hummingbirds, that determining why numbers have
been down the past three winters is anybody’s guess. A couple of things that I
think affected numbers this season were weather and number of hummingbird
feeders. The warm winter meant natural food sources were available almost all
winter, and many hummingbirds were reported feeding only at plants while
ignoring feeders. The other factor is the number of feeders available for
wintering hummingbirds. A few years ago, I could be sure when I went to a home
that it was unlikely that another feeder was nearby. Now in many neighborhoods
multiple feeders are maintained, and fewer hummingbirds settle in at one home.
That means they are not seen as often and are more difficult to catch. I won’t
complain because more feeders mean we have been successful educating people
about winter hummingbirds, and it makes life easier for the birds. Each winter
is different, and I look forward to seeing what next winter brings.
Thanks
Fred
Fred Bassett
1520 Katrina Place
Montgomery, AL 36117
(334) 868-9658
Http://Hummingbirdresearch.net
