Hummingbirds in Georgia

Hummingbird Facts Hummingbird Facts: Georgia is home to 11 hummingbird species during the year: 1. ruby-throated 2. black-chinned 3. rufous 4. calliope 5. magnificent 6. Allen's 7. Anna's 8. broad-billed 9. green violet-ear 10. green-breasted mango 11. broad-tailed The ruby-throated hummingbird is the only species of hummingbird known to nest to Georgia. These birds weigh around 3 grams-- as little as a first-class letter. The female builds the walnut-sized nest without any help from her mate, a process that can take up to 12 days. The female then lays two eggs, each about the size of a black-eyed pea. In Georgia, female ruby-throated hummers produce up to two broods per year. Nests are typically built on a small branch that is parallel to or dips downward. The birds sometimes rebuild the nest they used the previous year. Keep at least one feeder up throughout the year. You cannot keep hummingbirds from migration by leaving feeders up during the fall and winter seasons. Hummingbirds migrate in response to a decline in day length, not food availability. Most of the rare hummingbirds found in Georgia are seen during the winter. Homemade Hummingbird Feeders: You can use materials from around your home to make a feeder. Here is a list of what you may use: • Small jelly jar • Salt shaker • Wire or coat hanger for hanging • Red pipe cleaners Homemade Hummingbird Food: • You will need--- 1 part sugar to 4 parts water • Boil the water for 2–3 minutes before adding sugar. • • Cool and store the mixture in a refrigerator until you are ready to use it. There is no need to add red food coloring. Hummingbirds are attracted to the red color but it is not necessary for them to feed on it. Ruby-tthroated Hummingbird Status in Georgia Rare in state past October 31. Most wintering birds are found along the coast. Anna's Hummingbird Status in Georgia Only three records for Georgia. Size: 4" Size: 3 ¾" Identification Adult male has a bright red throat (gorget) that appears black in poor light, an iridescent green back, white underparts and grayish-green sides. Adult female has a metallic green back, white throat and grayish-brown sides. Breeding Range Only hummingbird known to breed east of the Mississippi River. Breeds throughout the eastern United States as far west as eastern Texas and Oklahoma north to Minnesota. Winter Range South Florida, southern Mexico to Panama Black-c chinned Hummingbird Status in Georgia Fewer than five reported in state each winter. Size: 3 ¾" (slightly larger than the ruby-throated hummingbird) Identification Adult male appears much like a ruby-throated male. Throat is black with a violet band along the lower edge of the gorget seen only in good light. Adult female appears much like a ruby-throated female. Identification Adult male's head is a deep rose-red. Color will actually extend down the side of the neck. Underparts are grayish-green. Adult female often displays tiny red feathers that form a small reddish patch on the throat. Underparts are grayish-green. Breeding Range Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona Winter Range Pacific coast area from Washington to northwest Mexico and Arizona. Broad-ttailed Hummingbird Status in Georgia A very rare winter visitor. Size: 4" Identification Adult male looks much like a ruby-throated male, having a green back, rose-red throat, white underparts and green sides. Adult female has a green back, streaked throat, white underparts and pale brown sides. Breeding Range East-central California and Nevada, north to Montana and Wyoming to very western Texas and Mexico. Breeding Range Breeds from southwestern British Columbia southward into western Mexico and as far east as Texas. Winter Range Central Mexico southward Winter Range Mexico Status in Georgia Two birds documented in Georgia, one in summer. Magnificent Hummingbird Size: 5 ¼" (Georgia's largest hummingbird) Identification Adult male is metallic bronze-green, with cinnamon rufous color in tail and purple crown. Adult female is duller with no purplish crown. Breeding Range Mountainous regions of southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico to Central America Winter Range Mexico southward Broad-b billed Hummingbird Status in Georgia One bird has been documented in Georgia. An adult male overwintered in a backyard in Macon during the winter of 2001-2002. Rufous Hummingbird Status in Georgia Most common wintering hummingbird. Size: 3 ¾" (slightly larger than Ruby-throated Hummingbird) Size: 4" Identification Adult male displays brilliant emerald green feathers on his breast, sides, belly and back. His gorget is sapphire blue. The bill is reddish-orange and black near the tip. The male's tail is deeply forked, dark blue with a grayish border. Adult female lacks the sapphire gorget and is green to bronze-green on its underside with a pale throat. The female's bill is predominantly blackish with some orange near its base. Identification Adult male has a reddish-brown back, rump, tail and sides with orange-red gorget. Adult female has a green back, light brown sides and reddish flecks in throat that form a central reddish spot. Tail has varying amounts of brownish color. Breeding Range Southern Alaska through Washington, Oregon, western Montana and northern Idaho. Breeding Range The Broad-billed Hummingbird is a Mexican bird that ventures into the United States regularly only in southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. It is the most common hummingbird in the lowlands of northwestern Mexico. Winter Range Throughout much of Mexico Winter Range Mexico (several birds have been seen in South Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama) Size: 3 ¼" (smallest bird in northern North America) Allen's Hummingbird Status in Georgia Less than a dozen records in Georgia. Size: 3 ¾" (slightly larger than a Ruby-throated Hummingbird) Identification Adult male has a green back, orange-red gorget, reddishbrown sides, rump and tail. Adult female cannot be safely separated from the female Rufous Hummingbird in the field. Female has reddish-brown color in the tail, greenish back, streaked throat and reddish-brown flanks. Calliope Hummingbird Status in Georgia At least one or two birds are reported each winter. Identification The male Calliope is Georgia’s only hummingbird with rosy purple gorget feathers that form streaks against a white background. Adult female has a metallic bronzegreen back; its sides and flanks are cinnamon; the throat is dull, brownish-white with dusky streaks and the breast is cinnamon-buff. Breeding Range Mountains of central British Columbia and southwestern Alberta to northern Baha California. Winter Range Mexico Green Violet-e ear Hummingbird Breeding Range Coastal California Status in Georgia The only verified sighting was in Thomasville, July 2001. Winter Range Mexico Size: 4 ¾” More about hummingbirds . . . The vast majority of hummingbird species that occur in Georgia are only seen in winter. Many are immatures or females and many cannot be identified unless captured and closely examined. Little is known about their movements and the habitats they use in Georgia and elsewhere in the southeast. With this in mind, reporting sightings of wintering hummingbirds can be extremely valuable. Chances are good that new species will be discovered in Georgia. Identification Both male and female birds are dark in color, have a moderately down-curved bill, and are grass green above and below the body. Males have a violet-green central breast spot and ear patch. Breeding Range No breeding records in the United States. Breeds in Mexico south into Peru and Bolivia. Winter Range Similar to the breeding range.