Georgia's Wintering Hummingbirds Still Need Nourishment!
Georgians should keep their hummingbird feeders up this winter because during the next few months some fast, fly-by friends will be buzzing by ice-covered windows throughout the state! The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (DNR/WRD) reports that nine species of hummingbirds can be seen in the state -- ruby-throated, black-chinned, Anna’s, broad-tailed, broad-billed, rufous, calliope, Allen’s and magnificent. The ruby-throated is the only hummingbird that nests in Georgia with very few birds seen over wintering here. Most of the hummingbirds seen in Georgia during the winter months are western visitors. Wintering hummingbirds begin arriving as early as August; however, they appear at feeders anytime throughout fall and winter. In winter, the hummingbird with the longest migration route and North America’s smallest hummingbird are among the hummingbirds that migrate here.

“We are encouraging people across the state to keep up at least one feeder during the winter months so we can document western hummingbirds that find their way to Georgia,” said Terry Johnson, Program Manager of WRD’s Nongame-Endangered Wildlife Program. “If a wintering hummingbird visits a feeder this year, it may return next year.”

Traditionally Georgians have taken their feeders down in the fall in fear that feeders would keep hummingbirds from migrating. Hummingbirds migrate in response to day length, not food supply, explains Johnson, so leaving a feeder up will not hinder the hummers migrating. Some lucky Georgia homeowners have been known to host six or more wintering hummingbirds.

The rufous hummingbird is the most commonly seen wintering hummer in the southeastern United States. Last winter, more than 100 rufous hummers alone were documented in Georgia. The rufous hummingbird has the longest migration of any North American hummingbird traveling from its breeding ranges that extend from the Pacific Northwest as far north as southern Alaska to its primary wintering grounds in south-central Mexico. However, wintering rufous hummingbirds are spotted throughout Georgia and the rest of the Southeast.

The colorful calliope hummingbird is the smallest bird found in the United States and is one of Georgia’s winter residents. The calliope had first seen in the Peach State during the winter of 1998-99.

In 2001, Georgia’s first broad-billed hummingbird was sighted in Macon. This brilliant green hummingbird, sporting a sapphire blue gorget and red and black bill, stayed from December into March as was seen by hundreds of birdwatchers.

“Since many of the wintering hummingbirds are extremely difficult to identify, don’t assume that the wintering hummer at your feeder is a rufous. It takes experts to positively identify them,” said Johnson. “If a hummingbird shows up at your feeder from now until the end of February, be sure to contact the Nongame Program office in Forsyth. Your information can help us document the incidence of wintering hummers and help us to determine their habitat needs.”

Georgian’s who spot any of the unusual hummingbirds species that migrate through Georgia in winter months are encouraged to report their sightings to WRD. Who knows, you may be the first person to report a buff-bellied or other rare hummingbird in Georgia. Among some of the unusual species WRD is surveying for includes the rare buff-bellied hummingbird. To report wintering hummingbird sightings in Georgia, please contact the Nongame Program office in Forsyth at (478) 994-1438. For more information, visit www.georgiawildlife.com, or send a First Class, $0.37 stamped, self-addressed #10 business sized envelope to: Wintering Hummingbirds, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Nongame Wildlife and Natural Heritage Program, Nongame-Endangered Wildlife Program, 116 Rum Creek Drive, Forsyth, Georgia 31029.

To support Georgia’s wintering hummingbird surveys as well as other conservation programs for Georgia’s nongame wildlife, purchase a new nongame wildlife license plate for your vehicle, or donate to the “Give Wildlife a Chance” State Income Tax Checkoff. There are currently no state funds provided for nongame wildlife conservation, education and recreation programs and these important projects are funded solely through federal grants, direct donations and fundraising initiatives like the nongame wildlife license plate and State Income Tax Checkoff. Since 1997, more than 900,000 nongame wildlife license plates have been sold in Georgia, raising over $13 million for wildlife conservation. The new tags go on sale beginning December 1, 2003 at county tag offices throughout the state and can be purchased for a one-time specialty tag fee of $20 per tag. Annual registration fees and ad valorem tax still apply. Redesigned for 2004, the new wildlife tags will feature the Bald Eagle silhouetted in front of the American flag – with the caption “Give Wildlife a Chance.”