While bird migration has been underway for several weeks, there is a significant uptick in migration activity during the month of April. Longer, warmer days, and more abundant food sources for migratory birds results in more species getting on their way.
I received my first report of an oriole sighting on Monday of this week—a Scott’s oriole was seen out in Talking Rock. I also had a report of a green-tailed towhee in a customer’s backyard this week. On a walk this week along the Peavine Trail, I saw my first Cassin’s Kingbird of the year. I also saw my first Swainson’s hawk of the year this week. There are a lot of different species on the move, so be on the lookout.
What else might you expect to see in the month of April? Definitely more hummingbird activity. If you are lucky, you may see as many as five different hummingbird species over the next month. Let’s take a look at each species.
Anna’s hummingbird—this is the most common hummingbird species in the Arizona Central Highlands region. It is a fairly stocky hummingbird, weighing 4.3 grams and is 4.0 inches long. Anna’s hummingbirds are territorial and aggressive, and guard hummingbird feeders in their territory.
Black-chinned hummingbird—this is the second most common hummingbird species in the Arizona Central Highlands. It is only a quarter of an inch shorter in length than an Anna’s hummingbird, but it is twenty-five percent smaller by weight, weighing only 3.3 grams. Black chinned hummingbirds have a long, slightly curved beak, and appear thinner compared to an Anna’s.
Broad-tailed hummingbird—for people living in town this is considered a transient species. It passes through the cities at lower elevations as it makes its way to higher elevations that are predominantly ponderosa pine forests. Broad-tailed hummingbirds are also 4.0 inches in length, and weigh about 3.6 grams. They remind me of a ruby-throated hummingbird.
Rufous hummingbirds—this is another very small hummingbird species, weighing only 3.4 grams and is 3.75 inches in length. It passes quickly through Prescott in spring as it makes its way north—some of them will go as far as southern Alaska! Rufous hummingbirds are extremely territorial, and like to chase away all of the different hummingbirds at your nectar feeders.
Calliope hummingbird—of the five species covered in my column today, calliope is the least likely hummingbird species you might encounter, but it is possible. This is a tiny hummingbird—it is 3.25 inches in length, and weighs only 2.7 grams! If you do the math, ten calliope hummingbirds weigh less than one ounce! This means one could mail ten Calliope hummingbirds with a single first-class stamp—but I wouldn’t recommend trying it.
If you don’t already have your hummingbird feeders out, I would highly recommend so doing. To make your own sugar water solution, use one part sugar to four parts water. I would also encourage you to get your oriole feeders out right away. Orioles prefer a diet of sugar water, and they like mealworms, orange halves, and grape jelly!
A quick reminder that the Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival at Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood is just weeks away. If you haven’t already registered, I encourage you to do so this week at https://verderiver.org/birding-festival/.
We opened our new store location at 1230 Willow Creek Road earlier this week. While we have a Willow Creek address, there is no access to our store from Willow Creek. You will need to turn onto Black Drive, from either Gail Gardner or from Willow Creek. We look forward to serving you at the new store, The Lookout.
Until next week, Happy Birding!
Eric Moore is the owner of The Lookout, in Prescott, where you will find a Hallmark Gold Crown Store, wild bird products and Vortex and Swarovski optics. Eric has been an avid birder for over 55 years. Eric can be contacted at eric@jaysbirdbarn.com.
