Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Fall Migration and Hurricanes

With September comes the ramping up of fall migration for neo-tropical songbirds. We have observed in our yard for over a week now, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds feeding aggressively form the cardinal vine's red flowers and from our feeder. Even in the rain that occurred all day on Wednesday, I observed two birds taking turns at the feeder. The rain ruffled their tiny feathers and made them a little more tired so they took rest breaks by the feeder before flying into the trees to get shelter from the rain.

I have been researching how hurricanes affect fall migration. Many birds, esp. seabirds, fly along the coast. They can fly further inland rather than use energy battling headwinds. Some larger seabirds will go through the hurricane and stay in the calm eye! Birds are quite sensitive to changes in barometric pressure and winds so they adjust their routes as needed. The biggest threat to birds in hurricanes can be the aftermath with destruction of habitat and food sources such as winds blowing fruit and seeds from vegetation.  Some birds not native the continental U.S.  have been shifted by hurricanes from their habitat to the U.S. mainland. It will be interesting to see any observations after Harvey and Irma on any birds native to Mexico or the Caribbean being blown into the U.S.