August is the peak time for hummingbirds here in the Arizona Central Highlands. Over the years, I’ve observed seven different species in my Prescott yard: Anna’s, Black-chinned, Rufous, Broad-tailed, Broad-billed, Costa’s, and Calliope Hummingbird.
The most common migrant passing through Prescott is the Rufous Hummingbird. When measured by body length, this remarkable bird is considered the world’s longest migrator. In summer, they breed as far north as southern Alaska, and in winter they journey all the way to Central America. To put it in perspective, that’s a trip of more than 3,000 miles for a bird that weighs only about the same as a few pennies. Their determination and stamina are nothing short of incredible.
Another migratory visitor is the Calliope Hummingbird, the smallest bird species in the United States. At just 2.7 grams, it would take ten Calliope hummingbirds to weigh a single ounce. Despite their tiny size, they make an equally impressive migration, traveling thousands of miles each year between their breeding and wintering grounds.
If you’ve been watching hummingbirds at your feeders this month, you may have noticed more activity than usual. With so many on the move, feeders can become crowded and sometimes attract unwanted guests like ants or bees. Here at The Lookout, we carry a variety of products designed to solve these common feeder problems. Whether you’re looking for ant moats, bee guards, or simply a better-built feeder, we can help. Many of our feeders are made in the U.S.A., with some models UV-stabilized and backed by a lifetime warranty, meaning they’ll hold up to both our Arizona sun and years of use. You can purchase your own hummingbird feeder in store at 1230 Willow Creek Rd, Prescott, AZ 86301.
I hope you are enjoying the wonder of hummingbirds in your yard this month. Hummingbirds are truly simply amazing in every way.
