This female hummer may have waited too long to head south. It got down to 51 last night and was foggy this morning. She is still alive and breathing, but definately in distress. Hopefully once the sun hits her and warms her up, she will be ok.
I posted this about 11 am and it's now 11:30 and she has left. The sun was shining on her and the last time I saw her, wasn't nearly so puffed out.
Thank goodness for that. Now let's hope she begins to make her journey south before any more bad weather or low temperatures arrive.
Hummingbirds can lower their body temperature and heart rate and survive cold temperatures. Anything that tiny and tenacious will live. Having a good food source provided by you, Captain, certainly helped her.
I had some do that when we lived in Arizona. Usually when the sun warms them up they are okay. One morning I went outside and they were flying all around my head, chattering and flying to the feeder. I thought it must be empty because they did that when it was empty. But, when I looked, it was frozen. I had to quick take it in and thaw it out and refill it. Then, they were happy. Other birds will do that, too. Here, they all sit and look at the kitchen window when the water tub goes empty or too low. Then, I know I have to get the hose and fill it. They still fly when I come outside though. dooley
