By Tom Dennis
Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Ruby-throated Hummingbird
My last article mentioned that the spring bird migration is well upon us. It’s now near its peak with the neo-tropical bird migration well underway. To refresh your memory, neo-tropic migrators are birds that winter in Central and South America and make their way back north to summer breeding grounds in the spring.
We have always celebrated Cinco de Mayo as the day when we can expect to see the “Three Amigos” of the local bird world appear for their summer stay. Of course, we also, highly recommend that you celebrate this joyous Mexican Holiday with the obligatory tacos, enchiladas, and fajitas washed down with your favorite Mexican libation! But who are these three birds and why do we celebrate them? First of all, they are…Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and Baltimore Orioles. They never let us down in being on time to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with us. All three species join to make the green, white, and red colors of the Mexican national flag borders and the Baltimore Orioles include the flash of vibrant orange for the flag’s emblem as well as lending their beautiful song that rivals any good Mariachi Band in a joyous chorus.
These birds almost always return to where they were born so, you may be right if you think you see the same birds returning to your yard each year, often on the same day of the year. Of course, some of the early arrivals will be heading further north to avoid the breeding season crowds. Whether staying or passing through, they remember where they can find a meal or drink of freshwater to welcome them and energize their travel plans.
All three species are long-distance migrators and the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the champion of endurance as many of them make the non-stop crossing of the Gulf of Mexico. They do this by doubling their normal average weight of a mere 0.11 ounce by consuming small insects and spiders to build body fat and then they consume it all (and more) on the exhaustive flight.
These three species give us a guarantee that spring has arrived and their bright colors and beautiful songs (excepting the hummingbird that opts for “a joyful noise”) are a signal of a fresh start after our long and drab winter. So, this is spring cleaning time! Keep your feeders full and clean, humming bird feeders should be out now and filled with fresh nectar regularly (one cup sugar to four cups of water, boiled until sugar is completely dissolved and no artificial color, at the bird’s doctor’s request, please). Also, let the insects live, the birds need them for high-protein nutrition. Habitat is also a critical requirement and many birds succumb to habitat loss. You can easily make your property a bird-friendly environment and you too will experience the health benefits and joy of the creation!
You can learn more about birds and nature by attending Blue Water Audubon meetings held at Goodells Park in the Community Building. Our next meeting will be held on, Monday, May 9, starting at 6:45 PM. Dr. John Zmiejko will share a program about birds of Ecuador. You are also encouraged to visit the Blue Water Audubon Society Facebook page for local bird sightings, discussions, and events; be sure to “friend” us!
Tom Dennis is a freelance writer, passionate birder, zoologist, creation scientist, gardener, and naturalist.
