Marvelous Spatuletail - by Anthony Lujan

Anthony Lujan is on a mission to photograph all of the hummingbirds in existence. Check out his website to view many astounding images of these ethereal gems from around the world! This image is also going to be featured on our limited edition microfiber lens cloths for new and renewing members. New and renewing members also receive a discount coupon for the Cornell Lab's Bird Academy Course: The Wonderful World of Hummingbirds. To read more on membership benefits click the link below.

As I looked out my window over the last couple of months, I thrilled to see a constant parade of hummingbird migrants in my yard. Yards with feeders, water, and hummingbird flowers remind me of the old stagecoach stops. Stop for a while, rest and eat, then be on your way. As we headed toward October, the numbers grew smaller every day. Now it seems I have only our yard “pets,” the Anna’s who stay year-round.

For so many hummingbirds, we have bid farewell and godspeed for the year. They make a treacherous journey fighting starvation, predators, and ever-increasing extreme weather as they make their way to their wintering grounds.

How can we help them? That’s what the International Hummingbird Society is all about. Helping you help them. Offering you resources and education for gardening and feeding and maintaining a safe habitat at your house. Informing you of international efforts to protect at-risk species. Raising awareness of the beauty, biology, needs, and threats to these feisty little miracles of nature. If you have not already done so, please join us.

Enjoy this month’s Hummingbird Messenger, which includes more information on migration, a link for purchasing our gorgeous 2024 wall calendar, a “Hummingbird Spotlight” on the Broad-billed hummingbird, and an interesting historical note from Juan E. Bahamón. Read all the way to the end for a link to a beautiful downloadable hummingbird poster, Gems of the Western Hemisphere, courtesy of Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

And wish our hummingbirds well as they reach their winter homes. “Until we meet again, little ones….”

Cheers for the hummers,

Alice Madar

Executive Director

International Hummingbird Society

Hilary Joy Morejon

It's a sad time of year for us hummingbird lovers when the last stragglers of migration have passed through. Here are some helpful instructions on what to do this time of year.

Have you ever wondered, "When should I take my feeders down?"

We suggest that if you are on the East Coast keep your feeders up 2 weeks after you have seen your last Ruby-throated hummingbird. If you are on the West Coast, please keep at least 1 feeder up year-round as you will have the Anna's hummingbird reside with you over winter. These hearty hummingbirds can even withstand the snow! Remember to take your feeders in at night when it gets below freezing or have a replacement feeder at the ready to swap out.

"Won't keeping my feeders up negate migration?" No, in fact keeping the feeders up can help ensure that those late hummingbirds have enough food to help them with their travels. Hummingbirds head south by their own instinct. The change in daylight and weather patterns helps push the hummingbirds further south toward Mexico. No need to worry about holding hummingbirds back on their journey.

The holidays are right around the corner.

Be sure to stay ahead of it all with our new 2024 calendar, featuring photographs from:

Glenn Bartley, Bob Coates, Veronica Bender Haydn, Jose Francisco Haydu, Beth Kingsley Hawkins, Thomas Trogdon, Kathleen Reeder, and Juan Bahamon.

Immature male Broad-billed hummingbird in Sedona, AZ

In the 18th century, when French and British ornithologists looked at the exotic American hummingbirds for the first time, they found themselves amid a natural wonder. These tiny creatures, with their scintillating bodies, were unlike anything they had ever seen. Their feathers gleamed like precious gemstones, changing colors with the shifting angle of sunlight. Their dainty feet and unbelievably small eggs added to the fascination. It was a sight to behold, and these amateur ornithologists were determined to do justice to the beauty before them.

Among these early enthusiasts were names that have become legendary in the world of ornithology: John Gould, René Lesson, Sir William Jardine, and many more. They faced the challenge of finding words that could capture the radiant allure of these remarkable birds.

Ordinary names like "Red-throated" were deemed inadequate; thus, "Ruby-throated" was born. "Green" was simply too ordinary for these extraordinary creatures; it deserved the grandeur of "Emerald." "Dark blue" was too pedestrian, and "Sapphire" was the perfect upgrade. Even the humble "Yellow" had to transform, emerging as the more refined "Topaz." They didn't stop at precious stones; they delved into the realm of semiprecious stones, giving birth to names like Amethyst, Garnet, and Tourmaline.

The allure of hummingbirds didn't stop at the scientific community; it extended its reach to the fashion industry. In a strange and unfortunate twist, the mesmerizing shimmering cadavers of these tiny birds found their way into the world of haute couture.

The misguided fashion trends of the 19th century saw the wanton use of hummingbird skins as accessories to adorn hats and dresses. Their iridescent plumage was seen as the epitome of elegance and sophistication. Countless hummingbirds were mercilessly harvested for their feathers. The reckless use of these birds in fashion nearly drove some hummingbird species to the edge of extinction.

Thankfully, as awareness of the devastating consequences of this fashion trend grew, laws and regulations were implemented to curb the hunting and use of hummingbirds for decorative purposes. Today, we can look back at this chapter in history with relief that such practices have largely been abandoned. Hummingbirds are now cherished for their intrinsic value in the natural world, where their vibrant colors and astonishing aerial displays continue to captivate and inspire. – Juan E. Bahamón