Texas boasts more species of birds than any other state in the US. The same can be said for hummingbirds. With 19 species on the official list, Texas leads Arizona by one species. In this program we will take a look at Texas hummingbirds, the basic range of each species and pictures of most males and females. You will also see the video captured live of an Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem, a first record for Texas and the US. Additionally, a 20th species will be shown that came “oh so close” to occurring in the state.
Kelly will briefly present the value of banding these tiny creatures by summarizing the results of a long-term study that was conducted in west Texas and concluded in 2019. A highlight included a female Rufous Hummingbird, banded during this study, that was recaptured twice in Alaska. At the end of the program, questions about Texas hummingbirds will be fair game, as well as questions about feeders and feeding in winter.