Tourists on the Wing: Rufous Hummingbirds Passing Through Arizona Now

Rufous Hummingbird on the wing through Arizona.

by Eileen M. Kane
Communications Director
Desert Rivers Audubon

Heading from Mexico up to Alaska & the Pacific Northwest for the summer  (can you blame them), the Rufous Hummingbird is all about eating to gain weight for the big trip. So if they’re a little more aggressive than our laid-back Anna’s Hummingbirds at your feeders, well, you understand.

First spotted late this February in the still-snowy Huachucas, Rufous have been recorded at their earliest appearance in the Dragoons this year (2/26/11, record was 3/6/08). Saturday, Rufous were spotted at SaddleBrooke and then again at Boyce Thompson Arboretum Sunday.

As the Rufous Hummingbird needs to double it’s size for this migration, consider putting out an additional feeder. Ask Dave or MaryAnne at Mesa’s Wildbirds Unlimited for advice (and thank them for their ongoing support of Desert Rivers).

With their rusty orange heads, our distinctive hummer tourists should be buzzing about your garden at this time. Check our Bird Habitat guide for ideas on attracting hummers and other wildlife visitors to yard or patio.

We have also adopted the Hummingbird Habitat at Desert Breeze Park from Chandler Parks & Recreation and many hummer-friendly plants have been added recently by our volunteers. Check it out & tell us what you think.

Hummingbird Habitat at Desert Breeze Park, Chandler.

Hummingbird Habitat at Desert Breeze Park, Chandler. Public art by Joe Tyler.

Your Bird Stories Here: The Mystery of the Hummingbird Feeder

We’re gathering your bird stories for our blog. Interest in wild birds seems to be regarded as remote, aloof, like enjoying “art.” We’d like to make it personal and articulate our commitment to preserving habitats with relate-able stories. So tell us about your favorite bird or your first wild bird encounter: desertriversaudubon@gmail.com. Thank you!

“Two weeks ago I noticed my hummingbird feeders draining rapidly. On Friday, February 3, I found out why. I looked outside my dining room window right near sunset and was amazed at what I saw. The next evening we set up the camera hoping for a repeat. At 5:45 the hummingbirds were chasing each other….as usual. At 5:55 there were two sharing the feeder. Then at 6:05 p.m. as the sky darkened they came:

“For us it was the most amazing moment! They all moved in at one time and fed for just 5 to 7 minutes – then were gone! Since it was getting so dark, it wasn’t each to photograph. They came for three more nights and now we are back to our normal crew.”

–Gail & Bob Morris

Gail Morris is the Coordinator for the Southwest Monarch Study and a docent at the Desert Botanical Garden.