Hello my fellow avian loving folks! I have just joined this group, and I have a question already. I watched a show about migration, and it said that many hummingbirds have changed how far they go because people in the USA are providing enough food that they no longer need to go as far south. where before they may go as far as mexico or in some cases even south america, now they are just chilling in texas. this made me wonder about a similar instance in my area. I live in northwestern washington. when I was growing up, we always had stellers jays. everyone called them blue jays, but I had only ever seen any other kind of jay in eastern washington, I want to say it was an eastern scrub jay. anyway, my point is that recently(the last 3 or 4 years) ive been seeing a light blue jay in our area with black markings and a lighter underside. its been so long since ive seen the eastern washington type that im not sure if its one of those or something else completely. but I do know they werent here when I was growing up. so now im curious, has anyone else noticed a change in migration or range over your lifetime?
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Definitely. I'm living in Thailand right now, but I follow a bird Kentucky list serve group that reports local rare bird sightings. A few years ago they began reporting tropical birds in Kentucky, and these reports have become increasingly frequent. They're seeing birds I only used to see in Mexico or FL.
birdingnut
Level 8
Apr 15, 2018
1
Absolutely!
We used to get Northern Grosbeaks and I haven't seen one in years.
Blue jays also decreased here.
However by being on this board I found out that the Goldfinches we get here in the spring were coming up through New Mexico over a month ago now. They've now arrived. (Awaiting their plumage change!),
It may have more to do with global weather changes, habitats that have decreased and predators. These changes in migratory patterns.
It's been proven that feeding birds is not detrimental because they always use multiple food sources.
As for Hummers they have to be careful about where they reside because if it gets too cold they will just freeze to death. They have such a high metabolism. If it's staying warm enough for them? Migratory patterns definitely could switch.
But if it's that warm they must also have access to real nectar?
I feed them sugar water (I have a recipe) and two of my neighbors do as well (at least two!) and they also use the flowers as a resource.
Hope this helps!
RavenCT
Level 9
Apr 15, 2018
2
Byrd:
i agree our foods are only a small factor. i didnt mean to imply that it was the only reason for change. it just got me thinking about all the factors that go into something like that. i also heard about a tiny bird who only nests in these trees whos seeds only release when they get hot. the trees are common in places that, before people changed things, had wild fires often during certain seasons. when people moved in and started putting out a lot of the fires each year, the trees became less common and so did the birds.
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