It was dusk Friday evening and I spotted the first male Ruby Throated Hummingbird at the feeder. And this evening I was out a little earlier to shoot a foto of the first guy back from Mexico as he was enjoying a little sugary nourishment. Now it's official, Spring has Sprung. For more info on hummingbirds and their travel plans, eating and mating habits, you can check out hummingbirds.net If you click on the fotos, you will see him a little clearer.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds are found throughout the eastern part of Texas and the U.S. and southern Canada. They migrate to Mexico south through Costa Rica for the winter. The Ruby-throated hummingbird must gain critical bodyweight before attempting to cross the Gulf of Mexico. The hummingbirds will nearly double their weight (from about 3.25 grams to 6 grams) before crossing the Gulf of Mexico. A single migration can become a nonstop flight of up to 500 miles over a period of 18 to 22 hours.
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird has a total estimated population of over 7 million individuals. This species of hummingbird was hunted during the nineteenth century for its beautiful plumage, but the Ruby-throated Hummingbird now enjoys protection from harvest through the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This act declares unlawful the taking, killing, or possessing of migratory birds. It is also listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna of 1975.
If you would like much more information about hummingbirds, please click the link below. The site contains many articles about hummingbirds, video clips about hummingbirds, an informative tips booklet on hummingbirds, and much more.
Click Here To Visit About Hummingbirds
Happy hummingbird watching everyone!
Posted by: Zoe Ann Hinds | April 28, 2008 at 03:30 PM
Thanks for the additional info ... the link to the site you were recommending did not come through.
Michael
Posted by: MICHAEL BIRCHENALL | April 28, 2008 at 03:44 PM