texas parks and wildlife the texas HHUUMMMMEERR spring 2010 a newsletter for texas hummingbird roundup participants Hummingbird Roundup 2009 ummingbird watch- planned for 2010–2011 if you ers in Texas were can find locations that will bring once again treated a good number of people to to near-full diver- discuss hummingbirds and their Hsity with the return of the habitats. Green-breasted Mango to record Buff-bellied Humming- the state. Seventeen species Diversity across the state birds, while Hays County were reported throughout the remained high. Our leaders shocked us with great photos 99 counties from which we this year were not surprising— of a Green-breasted Mango! received reports. The only Jeff Davis County with 12 spe- The Green Violet-ear seemed species not reported in 2009 cies and Brewster County with to stay a little farther west this We are still trying to roll out was the Berylline Hummingbird, 11. Interestingly, in these two year, with great photos and updates on the Web site, despite most of the state not counties we had no reports of reports from Kerr County although changing Web site breaking the drought until either unknown or genera-only (five species). Neighboring formats has prevented this in early fall. (R/A) birds. Other regions of Kendall County reported the 2009. Hopefully we can get the state reported good diver- Broad-billed to also turn in ongoing updates in the near Observer numbers were up sity as well. In Southeast Texas, five species. In the Panhandle, future. considerably this year, with 354 Harris County reported eight Lubbock County turned in individuals reporting from vari- distinct species, while surround- six species including a Blue- As a reminder, very rare ous periods from the 99 coun- ing counties of Fort Bend (five throated Hummingbird. birds like Berylline, Violet- ties. The Lucifer Hummingbird species), Galveston (five spe- crowned, Costa’s, White-eared pins are ordered and will be cies) and Montgomery (four There were some surprises and Green-breasted Mango— mailed as soon as they arrive. species) were quite diverse. carried into the 2010 season. An as well as those of that elusive The 2010 pin will be the Buff- It should be noted that most adult male Calliope Hummingbird 19th Texas species—should bellied Hummingbird—a Rio of this diversity is seen during was reported at Zilker Garden in always be accompanied with Grande Valley specialty that is the winter months! In Central Austin in late winter 2009. In a good description and a rapidly expanding into Central Texas, Bastrop County early spring 2010, reports from photo. A record should also and East Texas. reported seven species, while the same feeder in the same be sent to the Texas Bird surrounding counties of Travis park included an adult male Records Committee through Workshops have been down a (six species) and Hays (five Calliope Hummingbird. Could [email protected] little in recent years, primarily species) did quite well. Travis this have been the same bird? due to travel costs and budget County did not report a Green We will never know with cer- limitations. They can still be Violet-ear this year but did tainty since it was not banded. 1 Executive Director Carter P. Smith Editor, Eye on Nature Identification Tips Mark Klym CoMMiSSion Difference is more than feather-deep! Peter M. Holt, Chairman San Antonio T. Dan Friedkin, Vice-Chairman Houston Hummingbirds of the genus Amazilia are very similar in appearance. Two species, the Berylline Hummingbird (A. beryllina) and the Buff-bellied Hummingbird Mark E. Bivins Amarillo Ralph H. Duggins Fort Worth (A. yucatanensis) are generally accepted as being species that have occurred in Antonio Falcon, M.D. Rio Grande City Texas. A third species, the Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (A. tzacatl) is unconfirmed Karen J. Hixon San Antonio from the state, with specimens being lost or very poorly documented sight records. Dan Allen Hughes, Jr. Beeville We will work with the two confirmed species. Margaret Martin Boerne S. Reed Morian Houston One of the key differences in these species does not relate to appearance at all, but rather to the habitat these birds are likely to be found in. The Buff-bellied Hum- Lee M. Bass, Chairman-Emeritus Fort Worth mingbird is a thorn scrub bird of the coastal areas of Texas. It is often found in oak woodlands and palmetto forests, as well as gardens and orchards. Their nests are often found in oak mottes and thickets on the Gulf Coast. This bird is a lowland bird TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT MISSION STATEMENT “To manage and conserve the natural and that seems to be expanding its range, but generally in the lowland areas of the south- cultural resources of Texas and to provide eastern United States. The Berylline Hummingbird, on the other hand, is a bird of the hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation mountains, generally above the 3,000-foot level of the southwestern United States. opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.” While it may move to lower elevations during the nonbreeding season, it is a bird of deciduous forests and pine-oak woodlands, canyons and thickets. This elevation and You may view this publication through the TPWD habitat differential is significant and should be considered in identification efforts when Web site. Please notify us by completing a request form at www.tpwd.state.tx.us/enews/. Once verified, the two birds are possible. we will notify you by e-mail when a new version of your selected newsletter is posted at www.tpwd. In appearance the birds are similar, but there are significant differences that allow state.tx.us/newsletters/. Your name and address will be removed from the printed us to differentiate them visually in the field. The green “bib” of the Berylline Hum- version mail distribution list. mingbird is much more extensive than that of the Buff-bellied Hummingbird, extend- ing down into the breast area. The belly color of the two birds is different, with the Buff-bellied being a bright, sandy buff color to medium grayish buff, while that of the FoR MoRE inFoRMATion Berylline is fawn to brownish-gray. The wings of the Berylline Hummingbird have a All inquiries: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, distinct band of cinnamon to rufous coloration through the secondaries that is absent 4200 Smith School Rd., Austin, TX 78744, in the dark wings of the Buff-bellied. The rump of the Berylline Hummingbird is more telephone (800) 792-1112 toll free, purplish, while that of the Buff-bellied is cinnamon to rufous. or (512) 389-4800 or visit our Web site for detailed information about TPWD programs: The big difference between the two birds occurs in the tail, though. The square to www.tpwd.state.tx.us slightly notched tail of the Berylline Hummingbird is a dark rufous brown with a strong purple hue to it. The tail of a Buff-bellied Hummingbird varies in shape from square to deeply notched depending on age and gender of the bird. These feathers are gener- ally rufous washed with a golden green to bronze hue but no purple present. The bills of these two birds are very different as adult males, though juveniles and females may be somewhat similar. Where the adult male Buff-bellied bill is red with a © 2010 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department PWD BR W7000-242J (4/10) black tip, the upper mandible of an adult male Berylline Hummingbird is black, while In accordance with Texas State Depository Law, this publication is available at the Texas State Publications Clearinghouse and/or Texas Depository Libraries. the lower mandible is red with a black tip. TPWD receives federal assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Seeing either of these birds is a great treat. By looking carefully, considering the Service and other federal agencies. TPWD is therefore subject location (am I in the mountains or on the plains) and looking for the distinguishing to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities characteristics, we should not confuse the common Buff-bellied Hummingbird with Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education the rare but beautiful Berylline. Amendments of 1972, in addition to state anti-discrimination laws. TPWD will comply with state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any TPWD program, activity or event, you may contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Federal Assistance, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Mail Stop: MBSP-4020, Arlington, VA 22203, Attention: Civil Rights Coordinator for Public Access. 2 A heads up to all observers While this is to all observers, it is of immediate concern to those in the Houston and San Antonio regions, where this pest has been positively identified. On October 15, I received confirmation that ants swarming a hummingbird feeder at Sheldon Lake State Park in the Houston area had positively been identified as the Rasberry Crazy Ant. This ant, first reported in Texas by a pest control agent in the Houston area is an some interesting reports invasive species, much like the red fire ant. They are amazingly persistent in returning to from banding studies look for food at sites where it has been previ- ously noted. Biologists at Sheldon Lake report A considerable amount of money and effort is spent each year banding birds that the only thing that seems to work is in an attempt to learn more about their movements, habitats and life history.