[portac]

In the past years, I have always put my hummingbird feeders out in August and taken them down in October. But this year, I have had two female rubythroats (I think) hang around all winter, even through the hard freeze (18 degF). I live near Houston. Is this unusual or have I just been taking my feeders down too early?

[humminbird]

No, this is not unusual at all. Hummingbirds spend every winter in Texas as far north as Amarillo. Please see www.tpwd.state.tx.us/hummingbirds for more info about overwintering hummingbirds. You might also check out the book "Hummingbirds of Texas" published by Texas A&M University Press.

[PumaMan]

I just started feeding the hummingbirds last June and I've kept up all five feeders. I'm glad I did because I have at least a dozen regulars this winter. Now, we seldom get temps in the teens but it is quite common to have a half-dozen winter nights where the temps reach down to 25 degrees F. This winter, the coldest temp has been about 29 degrees F. The hummers use the feeders all day long, from first light (45 mins before sunrise) to just before dark (45 mins after sunset).