BIRD-110: How to Host and Identify Hummingbirds in Texas

How to Host and Identify Hummingbirds in Texas

Hummingbirds are some of the most remarkable creatures on the planet, and they occur naturally only in the western hemisphere. Almost everyone who lives in North America has at least one species of hummingbird that spends some portion of the year there. In Texas we are especially blessed with hummingbird diversity. Texas has recorded more hummingbird species (19) within its borders than any other state in the US.

This class will introduce the hummingbird species most commonly encountered in Texas. We will discuss ranges, habitats and frequency of occurrence, and will discuss characteristics including behavior, field marks and vocalizations that can be used to identify these birds. A particular focus will be spent on our most frequent visitors to Travis County — the black-chinned, ruby-throated, and rufous hummingbirds — and how to work through challenging identifications, as with different female Archilochus hummers. 

We will also discuss how to attract these birds to your yard. Topics will include feeders, native plants and general habitat. Our class will end with a field trip (location to be determined) to see Black-chinned, and hopefully Ruby-throated hummingbirds in action.

This class will be taught by James Giroux. James Giroux has been a birder with a particular interest in bird photography for 20 years. He is on the Travis Audubon field trip committee and has led birding trips throughout the Austin area, and to the Chiricahua Mountains in SE Arizona. James also teaches an Intro to Sparrows class in the winter.