Hummer and Fog

Today’s post will start with three photos from Michelle.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rufous_hummingbird

Conservation status: “In 2018, the rufous hummingbird was uplisted from least concern to near threatened on the IUCN Red List, on the basis that due to its reliance on insect prey during the wintering season, it will be heavily affected by the global decline in insect populations due to pesticides and intensified agriculture.^[21] Due to climate change, many flowers that the rufous hummingbird feeds on during the breeding season have started blooming two weeks prior to the birds’ arrival to their breeding locations, which may lead to rufous hummingbirds arriving too late to feed on them.” (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rufous_hummingbird)

Source: NatureServe:

NatureServe lists the Rufous as vulnerable (S3) in Texas. In Oklahoma they list it as Critically Imperiled (S1). “Large population ranges widely in western North America; however, breeding bird surveys suggest a decline of about 27% over 3 generations. Climate change is a potential threat.”

“Food Comments: Diet includes nectar, insects, and tree sap from sapsucker wells (Healy and Calder 2006). This species obtains nectar from a wide variety of flowering plant species, (e.g., columbine, scarlet gilia, penstemon, paintbrushes, sage, lilies, larkspurs, heaths, currants, salmonberry, honeysuckles, fireweed, horsemint, toad-flax, snapdragon, bee-flower, and others (Calder 1993). Arrival on southward migration in southern Arizona and New Mexico coincides with blooming and high abundance of Agave spp. (Baltosser 1989).”

“Experimental manipulation with feeders in successional forest habitat showed that rufous hummingbirds preferred the greatest available sucrose concentrations, ranging from 20 percent to 60 percent, and preferred nectar sources at greater heights (2-3 meters; Blem et al. 1997).”

“Insects are important sources of fat, protein, and salts; these are obtained by hawking, gleaning, and in tree sap (Calder 1993).”

Now little one you may want to head to Mexico sooner than later!

Indeed what a lovely foggy morning!

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Keep looking!

The more you know, the more you see and the more you see, the more you know