The Enchanting World of Hummingbirds in Alabama - T-Tees - Your Answers Await, Life's Questions Unraveled

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Spring in Alabama is a magical time, with its abundance of wildflowers and captivating wildlife. The hummingbird migration is a true spectacle of the season, signaling the arrival of warmer days. Among the various species of hummingbirds, the Ruby-throated hummingbird is the most commonly spotted in Alabama. These tiny creatures make their way to the state from early to mid-March, with some choosing to breed and nest there, while others continue their journey further north. By the second half of October, those that spent the summer bid farewell to Alabama and head towards their wintering grounds.

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If you’re eager to witness these mesmerizing birds, the best time to do so is during the spring and fall migrations. Exploring Alabama’s beautiful hiking trails or venturing into its forests during these seasons will offer you the best chance of spotting these delightful creatures. However, if you create a hummingbird-friendly garden, you may be fortunate enough to see them and their young during the summer months.

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Discovering the Hummingbird Species of Alabama

The Ruby-throated hummingbird is the most prevalent species in Alabama, found throughout the state. Occasionally, you may catch a glimpse of the Rufous hummingbird, although it is not as common. While other species are rarely sighted, they may appear during the main hummingbird migration periods. Keep your eyes peeled for Black-chinned hummingbirds, Calliope hummingbirds, Allen’s hummingbirds, and a few others.

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Welcoming Hummingbirds to Alabama

When hummingbirds arrive in Alabama during the spring, they are exhausted after their long journey. To ensure they receive a warm welcome, it’s crucial to prepare their habitat and provide abundant food resources. These remarkable birds typically travel from Central America or southern Mexico and need to replenish their energy upon arrival for the upcoming breeding and nesting season.

To assist the declining hummingbird population, you can ensure your Alabama garden is ready for their arrival. Planting a diverse range of native species will not only provide a nourishing meal for hummingbirds but also offer other benefits to the local wildlife. Some native hummingbird-friendly plants in Alabama include Bee balm, Cardinal flower, Catchfly, Red buckeye, and Trumpet creeper. Remember, it’s essential to grow your garden organically, fostering a wildlife-friendly environment.

Creating a lush, layered planting scheme with nectary plants and native vegetation specific to your Alabama area will help you attract and support hummingbirds in your garden. Whether you opt for a prairie planting scheme, restore forests or their under-story, or combine a food forest with your vegetable garden, there are countless ways to create a haven for these captivating creatures.

Adding water features to your garden can also be beneficial, offering hummingbirds and other creatures respite from the summer heat.

Perfect Timing for Hummingbird Feeders

Before setting up hummingbird feeders, ensure your garden provides a suitable habitat for hummingbirds and eliminates any potential risks to nesting birds. Once everything is in order, placing feeders is a great way to support these energetic birds during their spring migration and before the fall migration begins.

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It’s best to place the feeders a week or two before you expect the first hummingbirds to arrive. This allows even the earliest visitors to find nourishment. In Alabama, you should aim to set up your feeders in late February or at the beginning of March, ensuring you’re prepared for the arrival of your feathered friends.

The Departure of Hummingbirds from Alabama

By the middle of June, hummingbirds making their way north during the spring migration have usually passed through Alabama. Those that have spent the summer in the state will typically start their journey back from late August to mid-October.

Male Ruby-throated hummingbirds are the first to leave once their young have fledged. Older birds tend to depart earlier, in late August or soon after. Females stay with their young for an additional week or two before joining the males on their journey.

While most hummingbirds will have departed by the end of October, some late migrators may linger a bit longer, and it’s not uncommon for hummingbirds to remain in Alabama until November. As they embark on their southward migration, they make their way at their own pace to wintering grounds in Mexico or Central America, stretching as far south as Panama.

The Right Time to Remove Hummingbird Feeders

You should only remove feeders when you haven’t seen any hummingbirds in your garden for a couple of weeks. In Alabama, this may be as early as late October but is more likely around mid-November. However, some Ruby-throated, Rufous, and Black-chinned hummingbirds may choose to overwinter in Alabama by their own choice or necessity.

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If you continue to spot hummingbirds in your garden during late fall and winter or notice that feeder levels are consistently decreasing, it’s kind to leave the feeders out. Providing sustenance for as long as they stay will be greatly appreciated by these enchanting creatures.

As you savor the enchanting world of hummingbirds in Alabama, remember that sharing knowledge and creating a welcoming environment for these birds brings joy not only to you but also to the rapidly declining hummingbird population.

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