Hummingbird Survey Results - 2004
The Wildlife Diversity Program of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation first began requesting hummingbird data from Oklahomans in the 1988 Watchable Wildlife Newsletter. In 1991, the brochure “Oklahoma’s Hummingbirds” was published, complete with an Oklahoma Hummingbird Survey Form. Data gathered since that time are compiled and an annual summary of the results are prepared and sent to survey participants. The information provided through the survey allows the Wildlife Diversity Program to learn more about the state’s hummingbird population and how long these migrants reside in Oklahoma each year.
Hummingbirds belong to a group of birds called neotropical migrants – birds that winter from northern Mexico to the tip of South America and migrate to North America to breed. Scientists in North and South America have initiated a partnership for the conservation of neotropical migrants called Partners in Flight/Aves de las Americanas. Efforts on behalf of neotropical migrants are currently focused on habitat preservation and restoration, monitoring of wintering and breeding populations, and promotion and public awareness. Oklahoma has 66 breeding songbird neotropical migrants, including the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and in more recent years, the Black-chinned Hummingbird. Your continued participation in the Oklahoma Hummingbird Survey will help the Wildlife Diversity Program develop a quality database that will further the conservation effort directed toward these neotropical migrants. We can’t thank you enough!
2004
RESULTS
In 2004, 44 Oklahomans from 27 counties participated in the Oklahoma Hummingbird Survey, as opposed to 37 participants from 24 counties in 2003. This reflects a large increase in the number of participants and counties represented! The earliest Ruby-throated Hummingbird sighting reported statewide was on March 29 from Grady County and the latest sighting reported was on November 14 also from Grady 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 15th. The most frequently reported date for removing hummingbird feeders was November 1. Seventy-one percent (71%) of participants took their feeders down between October 15 and the end of November.
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 2004, the eastern region had the most participants with 22 followed by the central region with 14 and the western region with 8. Table 1 provides participant comparison. Regional results are presented in Table 2.
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Table 1. Participant Comparison |
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Region |
# of Counties |
# of Participants |
|
Eastern |
11 |
22 |
|
Central |
9 |
14 |
|
Western |
7 |
8 |
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Table 2. Data Comparison for Survey Results by Region |
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Region |
# of Reports 2001 2002 2003 2004 |
Earliest Sighting 2001 2002 2003 2004 |
Latest Sighting 2001 2002 2003 2004 |
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|
Eastern |
18 |
24 |
20 |
20 |
04-03 |
04-04 |
03-22 |
03-30 |
10-12 |
10-30 |
10-13 |
10-30 |
|
Central |
13 |
18 |
10 |
10 |
03-03 |
04-03 |
04-06 |
03-29 |
10-13 |
11-13 |
10-15 |
11-14 |
|
Western |
6 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
04-02 |
04-02 |
03-29 |
03-31 |
10-10 |
10-12 |
10-06 |
10-19 |
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
Oriole sp. honeybees
House Finch wasps (red & black)
Wren sp. walkingstick
Downy Woodpecker yellow jacket OTHERS
American Goldfinch house fly spider sp.
Red-bellied Woodpecker moths
Carolina Chickadee praying mantis
American Robin Common Wood Nymph (butterfly)
Unidentified Blackbird sp. Red-spotted Purple (butterfly)
Unidentified Tanager sp. Unidentified Butterfly sp.
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
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.