the texas

HRHHRUUMMMMMMEER spring 2000

a newsletter for texas roundup participants

The year in review he sixth year of the Texas Hummingbird Roundup saw a year of Trebuilding and growth, with the number of Roundup 2000 surveys mailed out reaching 250 by December of 1999. This means that the numbers in this year’s survey are again down slightly over previous years. Many of these requests were mailed out in the final two months of 1999, and these participants apparently decided to await the 2000 before beginning their reports.

Surveys were returned by 85 of the 250 participants that registered in 1999 for a 34% participation level. Reports representing 49 counties were received including 5 of the 9 Trans-Pecos counties. Notably miss- ing from the Trans-Pecos was a report from Reeves County. Only one observer from one Panhandle county reported, leaving a big hole in that region of the state.

How can these holes be filled? We did not receive reports from sev- eral counties where surveys were mailed to, despite the reminders sent over the holiday season. Perhaps a follow up note just after the New Year is in order. To strengthen interest in the Roundup, a series Photo of Rufous Hummingbird courtesy of Hummingbird Workshops is being considered – with emphasis in of Juanita Gibson, Hidalgo County. those areas where observers are needed. More information will follow in later communication. mission statement Observers reported a total of 10 species this year, although not all of the birds considered common in Texas were reported. Magnificent and Blue-throated were absent from our reports while The mission of the Hummingbird Roundup a probable Allen’s (Harris County) and a Green-violet Ear (Palo Pinto is to improve the conservation of hum- County) joined the reports. mingbirds by gathering information about their distribution and providing informa- tion to the public. The survey encourages Texans to maintain natural habitat for the To join the Hummingbird Roundup, please send a $6 donation with your name, address, county, telephone number, and e-mail address to: birds, properly care for hummingbird feed- Hummingbird Roundup ers and record sightings. Your observa- Texas Parks and Wildlife tions further our knowledge of the 4200 Smith School Road hummingbirds of Texas, guide new Austin, TX 78744 research efforts, and help the Wildlife Please remember to return your Roundup 2000 survey forms Diversity Program in its mission to keep by January 15, 2001 to the address above. these tiny visitors returning each year. trans-pecos observer’s comments The Avent Family of Jeff ested in this area of great Davis County reported observ- climatic and geographic diver- ing female hummingbirds sity. She observed a definite fighting over snake cotton pattern of birds reappearing (Froelichia sp.) to use in their after significant rainfalls, and nests. I noticed that they did disappearing during the dry not report finding a nest. spells. The diverse habitats in A good way to do so is to the Trans Pecos region pro- actually follow a carrying duce areas of dry weather material for nesting. and other areas of heavy rains at different times of the In October, Melvin Walker year. Hopefully these can be La-Follette of Presidio County correlated with observation reported that he saw a Blue- data to help determine some throated Hummingbird for hummingbird behaviors. notes from the trans-pecos the first time since 1993. This year we received six this region are not isolated or He notes “I observed a large, The Zelazny Family of reports from Hummingbird skewed by urban concentra- dark hummingbird perched in Brewster County may have a Roundup participants west of tion. Eight species were an acacia shrub. She was very interesting report. They the Pecos River. While these observed in the region this catching as they flew mention a juvenile RTHU at numbers are very small for a year by those observers, with by. Then, she had to reach f their feeders in September region so rich in hummingbird another four species observed or one and left the perch, and October. This would be diversity and so diverse in by the coordinator or TPW displaying the unmistakable noteworthy since it is consid- hummingbird habitat, many biologists during visits to the tail with the huge, white erably out of traditional more packets were sent into region. Notable among the spots.” This points out once RTHU habitat. While this that region late in the year. observations from the region again that features other than could be a wandering juve- This holds a lot of promise for were Violet-crowned Hum- the gorget can help identify nile, a nesting Ruby-throated the 2000 survey. mingbirds observed in Fort hummingbirds. Hummingbird in west Texas Davis (first for Jeff Davis would be noteworthy. More than 50% of the county), Berylline Humming- I must apologize to counties in the Trans-Pecos bird returning to the Fort Mr. La-Follette for mistakingly Dr. D. Kruzich of El Paso were represented by these Davis area and a Broad-billed placing him in Brewster County notes that apparently 6 observers! This is good Hummingbird reported early County last year, see Hum- those who have wintering news in that the surveys from in the season at Fort Davis. mer, Spring 1999. He was the hummingbirds in El Paso are observer who saw the proba- in the mountain foothills. This ble Berylline Hummingbird is one of the reasons we will mentioned last year. be asking people to describe their habitat and those in the Babs Kneupper of Pecos Trans-Pecos to determine their County pointed out one of elevation above sea level. the reasons we are so inter-

2 hummingbird identification People are often surprised current Texas hummingbirds. them as songbirds, hummers most pronounced in the when we ask for pictures of A straight bill may be typical do have a repertoire of songs Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, unusual or rare humming- of a wide variety of birds, but and calls that can be used to but can be found throughout birds, but hummingbird identi- a curved bill is a feature of call your attention to a new the . It has helped fication, as those who have a note. The Lucifer Humming- bird. Get to know the songs observers in Houston confirm number of hummingbirds on bird – a west Texas beauty – of the birds that normally Selasphorus presence. their lists will tell you, is not can be quickly noted by a feed at your feeder. It will always an easy matter. There sharply downcurved bill. Other help you to notice that new, So next time you see an are examples when a person hummingbirds, including the possibly rare, jewel. unusual bird, don’t be too is describing a bird they saw Green Violet-ear may not have frustrated if the light isn’t and identified it as one the strong downward curve to Songs surprisingly are not right or the bird won’t stay species, when suddenly a fea- their bill, but may have a the only identifying sound put long enough to get good ture will be noted that does slight downcurve. A short bill, hummingbirds make. Birds of light on the gorget. Look at not fit. A few simple identifi- on the other hand is a feature the genus Selasphorus, which the other features that may cation tips help make identifi- of the Calliope Hummingbird, in Texas includes the Rufous, help to eliminate some of the cation of adult males easier. while the Violet-crowned Allen’s and Broad-tailed hum- confusing species. It makes Hummingbird can be noted by mingbirds, have a unique identification easier. Relative size can quickly rule the unusually long bill. wing structure that produces out some birds in some cases. a trilling whistle when the If we are looking at an unusu- Sound can also be an effec- males fly. This characteristic is ally large hummingbird, we tive tool in identifying the would not be considering the hummingbirds of Texas. While Lucifer, Costa’s or Calliope, we do not usually think of for instance. On the other hand, Magnificent, Blue- throated and Violet-crowned would certainly be possible candidates. When size draws your attention to a bird, note why it caught your eye and use that information in your identification.

Gorget color, since it is dependent on the light angle, can not always be relied on for identification needs. Hard tissue colors, such as those in the bill, will be constant. Texas hummingbirds essen- tially have two bill colors – Photo of Ruby-throated Hummingbird red or black. Occasionally courtesy of Nancy Sprouse, Harris County. these will be combined as in a red base with black tip. Notice the bill color if you can, it may help in the identification.

Not only is the color of the bill important, the shape of the bill can also help us isolate

a species from the eighteen Illustration by Elishea Smith

3 New hummingbird sightings being reviewed by the Texas Birds Records Rolling Plains Committee include: and High Plains • Green Violet-ear from Kerr, Travis and Palo Pinto counties • Green-breasted Mango from Cameron County • Violet-crowned Hummingbird from Hidalgo and Jeff Davis counties • Allen’s Hummingbird from Bexar Black numbers and Harris counties indicate number of 1 • Broad-billed Hummingbird from participants per county 2 Jeff Davis, Brewster, Cameron and who returned their Kinney counties 1999 survey • Berylline Hummingbird from as of February, 2000 Jeff Davis county 1 These reviews help us to help bird colored numbers indicated enthusiasts and researchers by species reported delivering reliable information on where birds have occurred. 4 1

4 1 3 5 1 1 breaking news for those 3 in bastrop/washington Trans-Pecos 5 counties 1 2 A Buff-bellied Hummingbird is again making its presence known at feeders in Bastrop County. 7 1 It has been reported as late as Edwards April 19 north of Bastrop. Plateau 4

Plant Preferences Indicated as first choice of hummingbirds South Texas Plains Salvias 40% Lantana 8.0% Honeysuckle 6.5% Hibiscus 5.2% Trumpet Creeper 5.2%

Honorable mentions include Turk’s Cap, Agave and Hamelia all at 4% each.

4 Cross Timbers Post Oak Savannah and Prairies and Blackland Prairies 1 1 44% of this year’s participants kept their feeders active year round. Of these, 28% reported 2 1 birds in January and February. 2 1 1 3 6 11 3 2 2 2 Pineywoods 1 1 2 The red food coloring 1 1 message is getting 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 through! At least 93% 1 1 1 of our participants 2 3 2 did not use this 2 questionable additive 1 1 2 this year! Red color 2 1 4 1 3 2 1 4 2 2 1 11 should be on the 4 1 2 1 10 1 feeders only since we 1 3 1 1 1 6 1 3 3 have no conclusive 3 5 2 1 3 1 studies about the 4 2 safety of this food 1 additive for birds. 2 Gulf Prairies 1 2 and Marshes 4 1 4 1 Overwinter Birds Six species were reported during the months of January and February of 1999 in Texas, including Anna’s, Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, Buff-bellied, Rufous, and Ruby-throated hummingbirds. For those not living on the coast, there is hope. The Koch family, in Caldwell County, had hummingbirds at their feeders 49 weeks last year – including the winter months. Overwintering birds in Caldwell county included Black-chinned and Ruby-throated hummingbirds. These two species were joined midyear by a Rufous.

5 hummer injuries update At 10:00 a.m. the I suggested that the family phone rang. A resident in try feeding the bird every Waco had just found a 15 minutes, keep the bird migrant Black-chinned Hum- warm and on a soft surface, mingbird banging its head and attempt to release the against the wall of their bird at the first indication that garage. When they picked up it may be ready. the bird, its eyes were nearly exciting happenings closed, and it seemed very At 12:15 p.m. the phone weak. rang again. The excited voice The telephone and e-mail systems at the on the other end of the Hummingbird Roundup were kept busy this This sad story had a happy phone line told me that the year with identification requests and ending. The family was able beautiful little Black-chinned concerns about reduced numbers and late to rehabilitate the bird and male had revived quite nicely birds. The Dallas area was particularly release it to the wild readily, and flew first to a perch then notable with the metroplex not reporting with little interruption in the to the upper branches of the birds until July! bird’s life. tree and finally disappeared. A few minutes later a happy A notable report not included in the When the collision occurred, hummingbird was seen Roundup this year was a beautiful the family took the bird and buzzing around the newly- Broad-billed Hummingbird captured and called for information on how erected feeders. banded in Knickerbocker, Irion County in to contact a wildlife rehabilita- June. A photo and excellent verbal descrip- tor. While we were anxious to Rehabilitation can have a tion accompanied this report. get the bird in the care of a happy ending, but it is impor- rehabilitator as soon as neces- tant to call on the trained Photography for identification does not sary, these birds have proven rehabilitators when necessary. have to be a bird in the hand. We have quite resilient – especially if Remember – you can not photos by Marcia Effinger of Washington they are offered the high- legally house or handle a County recording the first Buff-bellied energy nectar fairly quickly. hummingbird without state Hummingbird she had seen in that county and federal permits! in more than 20 years that she has been watching hummingbirds for. The photo of this bird- on-the-wing captured just enough detail for us to see the features we need. Wildlife rehabilitators, licensed by Texas Parks and Wildlife, have the knowledge and experience necessary to effectively care for injured or orphaned wildlife. If you encounter such an , please contact the Wildlife Diversity Program at 1-800-792-1112, ext. 4481 or (512) 389-4481, and we will provide you with the name of your nearest rehabilitator.

Illustration by Rob Fleming

6 genetic studies demonstrate identification difficulties

The survey forms for the year 2001 will have a notice- Photo of Rufous Hummingbird courtesy of Juanita Gibson, Hidalgo County. able addition in the species code area – a simple “R/A identifier” to be used for the Selasphorus species that show a lot of red-brown color (the Rufous and Allen’s hummingbirds). This change was brought about because of concerns over misidentification when genetic studies identified “green backed” Rufous.

The Texas Bird Records Committee has asked that a photograph and description of the bird accompany any suspected Allen’s Hummingbird. Since researchers work- out of range buff-bellied ing with these birds will not trust their identification of hummers raise interest Allen’s Hummingbirds unless the bird is in hand and measurements are taken, particularly tail feather mea- For the second consecutive year, Buff-bellied surements, we ask that observers follow this same rule. Hummingbirds have been reported in Washington County, and this year they appeared as part of As with all of the less common Texas species, the the Roundup report! This traditional “valley bird” “Unusual Sightings” form needs to be completed for has been known to winter north of the Nueces Allen’s Hummingbirds. While some consider them a River, but spring and summer birds out of this common site in Texas, TBRC still considers them a area are rare. The Washington County reports this Review Species. year were notable in that they began in mid March and lasted till mid September.

Two counties away, in Bastrop county, several people reported seeing Buff-bellied Hummingbirds in late spring and early summer. Some interesting reports we will be watching for in the 2000 numbers!

Illustration by Clemente Guzman III

7 notes from hummer watchers

weapon during migration. can Heather she has fewer She describes a particularly problems with bees around aggressive male (not a Rufous her feeder. Might this be a from her report) pecking natural control for this pest? other hummingbirds with it’s The bees seem to spend more bill. An interesting character time near the Mexican the coordinator behavior at one time not Heather. learns too! accepted by hummingbird researchers.

Blanche Davis from Harris Do hummingbirds and snow County reports that “In mix? Apparently so. Rosemary This past season taught the August when the birds really One of our observers wit- English of Lubbock County coordinator an important lesson come in” they had “2 birds nessed an example of why reports an immature Rufous about citizen science projects — sitting on each other’s backs we encourage people to keep dodging snowflakes in 18° keep the forms current! and eating from the same their feeders active year weather last winter! This bird Trying to use the remaining at our feeder.” This is a round or to put them up apparently celebrated the 1998 forms served only to very interesting observation EARLY in the year. Rosie new year with a bottle of given the hummer’s reputa- McFarland of Jones County warmed sugar water! increase confusion — both in tion for aggressively defend- noted “the first I knew they the office and for some of our ing food sources. were back, flying around participants. I apologize for the where I hung the feeder, confusion and the 2001 forms shocked me. Didn’t think they Finally, Ken Dollar from are already on the press! came back that early.” Chambers County reinforces Jim Woodley of Washington our confidence that hum- County may have found a mingbirds will look anywhere way to notice the dominant for a free lunch. He notes birds at a feeder. He noted The Birdwell Family from that a single female Ruby- that the birds he considered Dallas County found that, throated Hummingbird dominant at the feeder would despite records where the checked out the amber feed longer than what he stars and stripes have running lights on his travel identified as transient birds. attracted hummingbirds, trailer, followed by the red hanging the flag too close to Texas symbol on his license the feeder may discourage plate, and finally the blue the birds. safety seal on his electric Bill and Edna Courtney from meter. An interesting combi- The Texas Hummer Dallas County report that nation of colors – especially is a publication of females can be aggressive too the order. Texas Parks and Wildlife’s as they noticed a young Rose Ann Jordan of Jefferson Wildlife Diversity Program. female and an adult female County has noticed that, Written by Mark Klym aggressively displaying to one since she has planted Mexi- another for a period of more than 20 minutes. The aggres- sion seemed to be centered on a feeder.

Recipe for Making Your Own Hummingbird Food Helen Baines of Fort Bend 4200 SMITH SCHOOL ROAD Ingredients: 4 parts water, 1 part sugar AUSTIN, TEXAS 78744 County observed humming- Directions: Bring water to boil, stir in sugar, and boil for 1-800-792-1112 www.tpwd.state.tx.us birds using their bill as a 2-3 minutes. Let cool and store excess in refrigerator. Reminders: Do not substitute with honey. Feeders should be cleaned and refilled PWD BR W7000-242J (5/00) every few days, and remember it is necessary to clean the feeder more frequently during the warmer months than in the winter.

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