Introduction

2002 Hummingbird Survey Results

In 2002, 50 Oklahomans from 31 counties (Figure 2) participated in the Oklahoma Hummingbird Survey, as opposed to 37 participants from 26 counties in 2001. The increase in the number of participants is appreciated! The earliest Ruby-throated Hummingbird sighting reported statewide was on April 2 from Comanche County and the latest sighting reported was on November 13 from Pushmataha County. A map is provided (Figure 1) showing earliest and latest recorded dates of hummingbird observations by county. The most frequently reported date for putting up hummingbird feeders was April 1. Eighty-six percent (86%) of participants put their feeders up before April 15^th. The most frequently reported date for removing hummingbird feeders was October 31^st and November 1. Over 76% of participants took their feeders down between October 15 and the end of November.

Click on map to enlarge.

Participants were divided into western, central and eastern regions. Alfalfa County south to Cotton County defines the eastern boundary of the western region, and Osage County south to Bryan County defines the western boundary of the eastern region. In 2002, the eastern region had the most participants with 24 followed by the central region with 18 and the western region with 8. Table 1 provides participant comparison. Regional results are presented in Table 2.

Participants positively identified several other hummingbird species using feeders: black-chinned hummingbird, broad-tailed hummingbird, and rufous hummingbird. The occurrence of a male broad-billed hummingbird in the Lawton area was a highlight for the hummingbird season!

Table 1. Participant Comparison
Region	# of Counties	# of Participants
Eastern	13	24
Central	11	18
Western	7	8

Table 2. Data Comparison for Survey Results by Region
Region	# of Reports 1999 2000 2001 2002				Earliest Sighting 1999 2000 2001 2002				Latest Sighting 1999 2000 2001 2002
Eastern	25	26	18	24	03-22	03-07	04-03	04-04	11-08	10-15	10-12	10-30
Central	14	15	13	18	04-01	04-06	03-03	04-03	10-20	10-28	10-13	11-13
Western	7	7	6	8	04-13	04-18	04-02	04-02	10-08	10-07	10-10	10-12

The list of other wildlife species visiting hummingbird feeders continues to be quite diverse. Wildlife species reported are as follows:

BIRDS INSECTS MAMMALS

Baltimore Oriole ants squirrel

Orchard Oriole honeybees raccoon

House Finch wasps

Tufted Titmouse bumblebee

Downy Woodpecker yellow jacket OTHERS

American Goldfinch house fly tree frog

House Sparrow moths wolf spider

Carolina Chickadee praying mantis spider spp.

House Wren grasshopper black widow spider

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker carpenter bee

Blackbird sp. mud daubers

Red-bellied Woodpecker soldier beetle

Butterflies (fritillary, Hackberry emperor)

Of interest was the participant that reported that a Tufted Titmouse would perch and drink from one side of the feeder while a hummingbird would be feeding on the other side (Kingfisher County).

Recorded observations of the use of plants by hummingbirds resulted in a diverse plant list. Below is the list in order of the most frequent.

Petunias

Honeysuckle

Salvia spp.

Trumpet Vine

Lantana spp.

Morning glory

Four ’o’ clocks

Rose of Sharon

Cypress vine

Crepe myrtle

Impatiens spp.

Bee Balm (Monarda)

Geranium spp

Cardinal climber

Roses

Penta spp.

Mimosa Tree

Verbena.

Begonias

Columbine

Jewelweed

Butterfly Bush

Coral bells

Larkspur

Ajuga spp.

Indian paintbrush

Cleome spp.

Wieglia spp.

Scarlet runner bean

Comments that are provided by survey participants reflect a variety of sentiment ranging from joy to frustration.

-Used 112 pounds of sugar. I clean them daily. The hummingbirds empty them daily. I have kept track for 6 years. (Claremore, Rogers County)

-Black-chinned hummingbirds were back again. We did see juveniles this season. They were probably the first to arrive but I couldn’t see the purple for a couple of weeks. (Tuttle, Grady County)

-Visited male broad-billed hummingbird in Lawton. Was awesome! Was a treat getting to enjoy some newly fledged hummers the first 2 weeks in October. A lot of people commented on having later fledged hummers due to the cooler, wetter spring. My garden is getting more developed. I had at least one hummer April through October! With the luck of a digital camera and the internet, was able to document a Selasphorus, probable rufous immature male in my backyard in Kingfisher from August 17-27. I had enough documentation to report it to the Rare Birds Committee (of the Oklahoma Ornithological Society), and got Kingfisher on their map! I believe I had others but failed to get enough concrete documentation to record them. Rufous do not hold still very long. (Kingfisher, Kingfisher County)

-The most birds on or around the feeders at one time was 28. There were more birds feeding throughout the day (12-18) than last year. The peak number of birds came the second week in August. The number of birds tapered off quicker this year but a few stayed around a lot longer, or were passing through later. (Antlers, Pushmataha County)

-Total of 7 hummers this year-- 4 females and 3 males. (Mounds, Okmulgee County)

-We had a rubythroat come into garage through overhead door, and perched for several minutes at a fluorescent light bulb. (Muskogee, Muskogee County)

-We had quite a few birds this year. Used 110 cups of sugar. (Bristow, Creek County)

-At times there were ~ 4 different hummingbirds in yard (2 feeders) (Norman, Cleveland County)

-I used Oriole food in one of my feeders. The hummers liked its orange flavor I guess. (Sallisaw, Sequoyah County)

-Our feeders are in front of a picture window – a large one – My husband, who does not walk well, enjoys watching the pretty little things. This was a rather disappointing year for numbers of birds and length of stay. Friends who live on Lake Keystone said they were absolutely over run with hummers this summer - They had 6 feeders which they filled at least twice a day! (Tulsa, Tulsa County)

-Had large numbers in early May and again in late July. Peak numbers (25 and up) in early August. (Bartlesville, Washington County)

-The sapsuckers and woodpeckers flipped the yellow flowers the hummers drink from out of their sockets and would cling to the feeder and drink from the (now) larger holes. (Heavener, LeFlore County)

-Only had 12 hummers (I counted at one time) this year. Black-chinned arrived in August and was here until the 20^th of September. (Wynnewood, Garvin County)

-We had 4 or 5 hummingbirds at each feeder continually – a nice year for them. On April 25 a make appeared at feeder for first time. Female was there and we watched as they mated on the ground underneath the feeder. (Sand Springs, Osage County)

-We have seen the birds feed each other at the feeder and also breed at the feeder. (Cement, Caddo County)

-October 24 is the latest we have ever observed hummingbirds in our area. I communicated with other hummingbird observers through GardenWeb and they were also observing hummers at later dates in Missouri and the eastern states. (Spavinaw, Mayes County)

-This year ours left earlier than I can ever remember them leaving. (Bartlesville, Washington County)

-It is interesting that almost every year the birds come and go or abate the very same dates. (Gage, Ellis County)

-August 13-22 at least 1 juvenile Rufous hummingbird seen daily. August 13 & 14 one mature female Rufous. Our first! (Stillwater, Payne County)

-Very few hummingbirds this year – usually on 3 @ a time in 2001. I had to put up 5- 1 qt feeders to keep an adequate supply for the many many hummers. (Salina, Mayes County)

-We’ve noticed hummers leave the feeders more or less alone while nearby mimosa trees bloom in June. (Welling, Cherokee County)

-Found a dead hummingbird on our deck the last week in August (young or female) called 800 number for Oklahoma Health Dept. about West Nile

Virus – they said not to worry about it. This is the first year my husband has really watched the hummingbirds. He was constantly calling me outside to take pictures. He was thrilled when one flew up to his face. (Cushing, Payne County)

-The last of August they bring their babies up to the feeder. I have at least 10 at a time. (Tecumseh, Pottatwatomie County)

-I had birds before I got my feeders up this year! Over all, my numbers were down again this year – I feel like the drought had an affect on bird numbers. They left early again this year. I plan to plant a wider variety of plants to help attract them next year. I am the only person in my neighborhood that puts up feeders. Looking forward to next year! (Freedom, Woods County)

Several participants asked about deterring bees from their hummingbird feeders. There are two methods that work well. Bee guards are little screen-like devices (usually yellow in color) that fit over the feeder holes and makes it hard for bees and wasps to reach the fluid. Bee guards can be purchased at bird specialty stores. Another tactic is to apply salad or mineral oil to feeding ports with your finger or a Q-Tip. Apply a little around the portal, but not inside the portal. This will make it hard for the insects to get a foothold on the portal. Apply each time the feeder is filled and don’t spill feeder solution on the portals or bee guards, because this will attract the insects.

“On the feeder outside our dining window, a female lit. A male came out of the tree and slowly and gently went back and forth

over her (not touching much) four times. He flew back into the tree and about 15 – 20 hummers flew down and circled her as if very

excited. This entire ritual was repeated once more. Then the female turned upside down on the feeder (feet still attached).

The behavior of the male as described is considered a courtship display. The male’s pendulum swing in front of the female is usually done facing the sun, which enhances his gorget (chin) color. Male ruby-throated hummingbirds have been documented mating while the female hanging upside down from the perch of a branch as well as from the perch of hummingbird feeders. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are known to raise two broods in a season, sometimes three, therefore, observing courtship behavior is possible in August. I was, however, not able to find documentation of a courtship and/or mating behavior that included being “buzzed” by numerous other hummingbirds.

A survey form is enclosed with this summary. Please complete this survey form and return to the Oklahoma Wildlife Diversity Program before January 15, 2004. Also enclosed is an observation sheet for participants to record observations on a weekly basis. We encourage participants to save their sheet to use as a comparison between years. Please do not send us the observation sheet in lieu of the survey form.

Again, we would like to thank all the participants for your contribution to the hummingbird database. All of the information you provide is beneficial to understanding the habitat requirements of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird.