Cape & Islands NPR Bird News: Winter Hummingbird

Of 5 vagrant hummingbirds that were attempting to over winter on Cape Cod and the South Coast, this
is the only one to have made it this far. The other 4 individuals, 2 Calliope and 2 Rufous
Hummingbirds, all long distance migrants that breed in the Pacific Northwest and winter in the tropics,
succumbed, when the temperatures dropped into the single digits in January.



The bird visiting the feeder in Cataumet has survived due to extraordinary efforts to keep it alive and a
big dose of good luck. This is uncharted territory. Hummingbirds are not supposed to here in winter
and if they remain they should have a zero per cent chance of surviving. The set-up for this bird is
amazing and looks like something from outer space. The feeder is hanging on a covered screen porch
with the screens removed, protected from the elements. It is brought in every night and cleaned and
put out again just before first light. There are a series of lamps, shining brightly on the feeder to both
keep it warm and unfrozen. The hummingbird appears to enjoy the warmth emanating from the lights
and at times perches, basking in the artificial light.



There is a reason that birds migrate especially from the higher latitudes. In this area, where we
experience 4 distinct seasons, the season to avoid for insectivorous or nectar feeding species is clearly
the one we are in now, when there is no food available. Flowers and insects are dormant, inactive and
avoiding winters cold any way they can during the winter months? so migrating to where they are not
seems the only strategy for survival.



Here is a new pioneer hummingbird that had the good fortune to find this yard and better still, this
determined couple who would do whatever it took to ensure this tiny, stray visitors welfare. There were
sleepless nights, frought with worry, for the miniscule 3 gram, visitors well-being. They compared it to
having a newborn as it required constant vigilance.



There was research in the form of phone calls to the San Diego Zoo and the Arizona Sonoran Desert
Museum inquiring about any tips or additives for hummingbirds that perhaps they employ in year-
round aviaries. The attempts to put insect food, mealworms and other things near the feeder on heated
plates to entice the little bird to try something else. When a long planned vacation came, a "bird-sitter"
was hired just to attend to this bird's needs.



This hummingbird picked the right people to visit when it came into their yard in October to visit the
abundant flowers blooming as well as several hummingbird feeders. We are all keeping our fingers
crossed that the bird will survive the winter.



Until next week-keep your eyes to the sky!



Broadcast March 7, 2007

Two Cape Cods

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poverty on the Cape and Islands won a
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A Cape Cod Notebook

Cedar Swamps

Bird News

Winter Hummingbird

Meet Me at Recess

Mary Cronin's new education column.

Can Reading Be Bad for Kids?

Taking Care

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