Where Are All the Hummingbirds?

Guess the Bird, Hummingbirds' Winter Homes, and Impressive Mating Dances

                                                               

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Joy of Birds | February 2025

Where Do Hummingbirds Go in the Winter? Ever wonder where your local hummingbirds head when the temperature starts to drop? Some take on epic journeys to warmer climes, while others keep it relatively local—or don't even go anywhere at all! Read on to learn more about the various ways hummers migrate.

Anna's Hummingbird. Photo: Michelle Maani/Audubon Photography Awards

Level Up Your Winter Birding By Knowing Your Conifers Many birds rely on native conifers during the coldest months for food and shelter. That's why learning to distinguish the major varieties of native evergreens can help you hone your winter observations and deepen your appreciation of the seasonal dynamics between birds and native plants. Check out this handy guide to identify native evergreens that feed and shelter birds when foliage is scarce.

Illustrations: Jada Fitch

Guess This Bird With Only 3 Clues! Test your birding knowledge with another round of "Who's That Bird?" Guess the bird in the picture above using the three hints below. This one's a little tricky! Clue #1: Once only found among the beaches and wetlands of the Southeast, this bird is now found throughout much of the eastern United States.  Clue #2: Despite their name, this bird eats everything from crabs to carrion, fruit, and grains.  Clue #3: Easily confused with its nearly identical corvid cousin, this bird's unmistakable signature is a nasally doubled call that sounds like "uh oh" or "uh uh." Here's a bonus hint: this bird's four-letter banding code, which researchers often use as shorthand for species' names, is "FICR." Click here to learn more about our mystery bird and reveal the answer.

Photo: Bill Gozansky/Alamy

10 Outrageous Ways Birds Dance to Impress Their Mates Valentine's Day may be over, but for these birds, romance is just around the bend. From passionate tango to awkward jumping, we compiled a sampling of the best bird mating dances out there. Watch, learn, and maybe even take a few notes for your next party. Check out these birds' exceptional dance moves.

Laysan Albatross. Photo: Enrique R. Aguirre/Alamy

A Little Joy Goes a Long Way Thank you for reading this month's newsletter! Please consider giving birds a boost with a one-time gift. Together, we can protect vulnerable birds and their habitats. Donate today

American Robin. Photo: Ann Merritt/Audubon Photography Awards

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Photos: Long-eared Owl, Scott Suriano; Peregrine Falcons, William Farnsworth; Wilson's Plovers, Cindy Barbanera-Wedel; Common Terns, Yan Zhang; Anna's Hummingbird, Jasmine Johnson; Pyrrhuloxia, Marti Phillips; Black-and-white Warbler, Brandon Corry; Blue Jay, Adrienne Elliot; Pine Grosbeak, Faysal Chebbi. All Audubon Photography Awards

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