[bobky]

It is below freezing here in Kentucky at nights;but, we still have two hummingbirds visitiing the feeder. I have been told one is a Rufous,but am not sure. I did an online search on Rufous and found it is a West Coast USA bird,and I'm more than 2000 miles from there. I would appreciate help identifying these birds and any advice. Thanks,bob

[Michael Frankis]

Hi Bob,

Welcome to BirdForum!

Yes, it is a Rufous Hummer, easily told by the orange flanks (well, Allen's Hummer is almost indistinguishable, but that's very unlikely to occur where you are!). The green back shows it is a female, the males are orange on the back as well.

There has been an increasing tendency among Rufous Hummers to migrate 2000 miles east, instead of 2000 miles south, for the winter. They are benefitting from hummer feeders that people put out. In the past, they would have died, but now they survive, and return west to breed. And their offspring inherit this tendency to head east for the winter, which is why the numbers are rising (a nice example of evolution in action!).

Keep the hummer feeder out and filled all winter, and she'll be fine!

Michael

[Beverlybaynes]

Bob, an on-line acquaintance had a Rufous stay around her home in West Lafayette, IN (home to Purdue and well north of you) until about Thanksgiving last year.

As the temperatures dropped, they constructed a makeshift 'warmth station' for the bird, a box-like structure with a good-sized light bulb inside (like for a flood light, maybe?) to provide a little warmth for the little guy. I don't remember whether they actually constructed it around the feeder (although I think they did), and the bird was seen to use it at least twice.

As the temps dropped even further, the bird eventually disappeared, after a night when the temps dropped to something like 22F.

Don't know if you want to go that far in providing for the little bird, but I know it worked for them, at least for a little while.

Rufous are becoming quite nearly 'regular vagrants' in Indiana in the fall -- there have been 2-4 reports, usually in the central and southern parts of the state, for 3-4 years now.

So while your bird might not be nearly the anomaly it might have been a decade ago, it's still quite interesting. Feed 'em for as long as he'll stay around, and enjoy him.

And thanks for the neat pic!

[bobky]

MIchael,

Thank you for the welcome and comments on these birds. Until today we thought there was only one hummer, but we saw two for sure. I took more pictures. My wife is determined to keep these little birds going all winter. Cheers,bob

[bobky]

Hi Beverly,

Thank you for the info on these beautiful little birds. My wife has been talking about putting up a box for them. Cheers,bob

[jmorlan]

Excellent! There have been four other Rufous Hummingbirds reported from Kentucky this fall. See:

http://trochilids.tripod.com/USA/2003rual.html

I recommend you report your birds at the above web-site.

[GR Triever]

Hi Bob, and welcome to BirdForum! 'Bout time we saw some more Kentuckians here! I'm jealous about your hummingbirds... I haven't seen any since October.

BTW, What part of our Commonwealth do you hail from?

[bobky]

Hello GR and Joesph,

Thanks for the info and welcome. I'm in Lexington,Ky. I will post on that site. Those two little birds are still here today! Amazing. Cheers, bob

[bobky]

I have been reading about feeding hummers in winter and have orded something called Nektar Plus, which is said to provide all the nutrients a hummer needs. I realize sugar water alone isn't going to keep the little bird going all winter. Any other suggestions on the care and feeding of hummers in winter? Thanks,bob

Picture is from today, Dec. 17th, 2003. Camera is a Panasonic FZ1 with 12X optical zoom. Takenn out kitchen window.