A Flurry of Sightings Along the Gulf Coast States

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are slowly appearing at feeders and in gardens along the Gulf Coast states. Check the map to watch the progress of the spring migration. Keep your eyes open and report your sightings.

From Gautier, MS: Helena saw her "first ruby-throat hummer at the feeder then later going to the trumpet honeysuckle flowers." (03/04/2020) Link to report

From Cheney, KS: Sarah found a hummingbird (maybe a Ruby-throated or Anna's) early "at 6:45 this morning." (03/05/2020)

From Astor, FL: Jae noted that he "usually see Ruby-throated hummingbirds the 3rd week in Feb. This year they arrived 01 March. I have a large population here during the summer." (03/01/2020)

Evidencing The Beginning of Nest Building 

From Tucson, AZ: Marjorie captured a wonderful photo of what she thinks is "a female Costa's hummingbird on her nest at Tohono Chul, the botanical gardens in Tucson." (03/02/2020)

Rufous Sighting As Far North As Washington State

These long distance avian travelers can fly close to 4000 miles from their non-breeding territory in Mexico and along the Gulf Coast to their breeding territory along the the northern Pacific Coast and Alaska. Several sightings indicate that a few Rufous are successfully making their way north. 

From Friday Harbor, WA: K submitted this sighting of a "first male Rufous of the season. 10 days earlier than the past 2 years." (03/05/2020) Link to report

Other Hummingbird Species

Black-chinned hummingbirds winter in Mexico and migrate north to the lowland deserts and mountainous forests of the western US. We have had no reports for Black-chinned hummingbirds. Keep a look out throughout Texas this week.

Likewise, we have had only a few reports for Anna's, Costa's, and Broad-tailed hummingbirds. Keep reporting sightings for these hummingbirds to Journey North.