Buff-bellied hummingbird photographed in Baldwin County, January 2012
MONTGOMERY-Once temperatures begin to drop, many people clean and put their hummingbird feeders away for winter. If your intention is to attract our only breeding hummingbird, the ruby-throated hummingbird, then go right ahead, but you will deprive yourself the possibility of attracting a representative of nearly twelve other hummingbird species that may pay you a winter visit.
Feeding hummingbirds is a popular practice. One-part sugar dissolved in four parts water poured into any of the various designs of hummingbird feeders is a simple and inexpensive practice to attract these tiny birds. Most homeowners keep their feeders up during spring, summer, and fall to attract and enjoy the more common ruby-throated hummingbird. However, eleven other species have been documented in the state. All are western breeding species that have made winter appearances in Alabama over the years. In January 2019, black-chinned, rufous, and Allen’s hummingbird were sighted in Alabama according to online ebird data.
Alabama winters are mild but there are cold spells. To survive cold temperatures, hummingbirds can lower their body temperatures by half and almost suspend their metabolic functions. By going into this state of torpor, hummingbirds can survive periods of otherwise high energy demand.
There are no guarantees you will be visited by a winter hummingbird if you put out a feeder. But if you do keep your feeder out and maintain fresh sugar water, a hummingbird visit in the winter will guarantee a brighter day!
Check HERE for Hummingbirds found in Alabama that could possibly winter here
Media Release/Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
