Spring signals the beginning of bird migration for many migrating species. One of the smallest birds is the Bee Hummingbird; it is only found in Cuba, so we will not see this little guy in Houston. But several other little green jewels will fly back from their winter home in the south to Houston and beyond. For people who like to plant their gardens and set up extra feeding sites for the little hummers, the Spring Migration for hummingbirds usually can be as early as January or February in some areas. However, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recommends having your feeders up by the Ides of March or March 15th.
Hummingbird watching is a great way to relax and sit out on your front or back porch with a favorite beverage to watch the little guys and gals jockey for ownership of your hummingbird feeders. According to the Cornell Lab's All About Birds, there is no need to use red dye in your feeders. Instead, try the Audubon Society's recipe for making your own nectar to help supplement the little bird's food supply. It's a pretty easy recipe; your reward is seeing the hummies sitting around your feeders and enjoying a great long drink from them.
Some hummingbird FAQs for you to ponder over
The hummingbird family is very large, with 366 species and 112 genera.
Fewer than two dozen species venture into the United States and Canada, and only a few remain year-round.
Hummingbirds are members of the family Trochilidae. They are among the smallest birds, with most species in the 3"-5" range.
Many hummingbirds spend the winter in Central America or Mexico and migrate north to their breeding grounds in the southern United States as early as February. Later in the spring, they migrate to areas further north, even into Canada.
The first migratory arrivals in spring are usually males.
Want to learn more about hummingbirds? Here are some sites you might like to visit: available at the following resources