ARIZONA IS HUMMIN' ALONG (9/29/00)

As I explained in my previous column, although birdwatchers visit SE Arizona in the summer for the desert and mountain bird species, those who arrive from mid-July to mid-August are there mainly to see hummingbirds. At least thirteen species are possible, including migrants from the north that are starting their trip back to more southern areas, as well as rare nomads that wander north from Mexico.

These latter birds were the primary reason that we spent the first two weeks of August in the areas around Patagonia and Sierra Vista. We were delighted by the unexpectedly large numbers of other birdwatchers and by the great accommodations that are available to birders. Most surprising, however, were several places that hung a dozen or more large tank-type hummingbird feeders, each with 6 yellow “blossom” ports in their yards and invited all interested parties in to enjoy the sight.

The first place where we encountered this phenomenon was near Patagonia at a house owned by the Patons. As we rounded the corner of their house to the back where the feeders were located, we came upon a startling sight: About 25 birders, most sitting on chairs under a white open-sided tent with binoculars attentively trained on the 15 or so feeders. It felt more like a funeral service than a bird-watching event, as there was the same sort of reverent quietness that accompanies a funeral.

The activity at the feeders was an overwhelming scene. It took us a while to start sorting out the various species. Most numerous were the rufous hummingbirds that put me in mind of the regular customers at a local pub, where most of the patrons know each other. An outsider is often given a bum’s rush by the regulars, but just as in a traditional Western movie, sometimes the newcomer proves to be a well-armed bully. The equivalent of a brawl ensues between him and the very territorial customers: Up in the air, beak to beak, wings flailing wildly. Whoever wins the standoff returns to the feeder and resumes his imbibing.

Close in numbers to the rufous hummingbirds were the black-chinneds. Although all of them are interesting to view, we really wanted to see the rarities,.but it takes a while to start differentiating them from the riffraff. An Anna’s hummingbird drew oohs and aahs from the crowd as he showed off his magnificent glowing red head and throat. Then, instead of feeling as though we were at a funeral, it was more like being at a tennis match, heads swinging in unison first this way and that. “There’s a broad-tailed on number 3!” Heads swing right. “There’s a magnificent on number 12!” Heads swing left.

Finally, we caught up with our first rare visitor from Mexico, a violet-crowned hummingbird, followed quickly by a white-eared. After an hour of intense concentration, we decided to move on.

Our Bed and Breakfast for the night was at Beattys’ in Sierra Vista. Its reputation is well-known to all visiting birders. Although they can house only a few guests, they welcome everyone who wants to come for the spectacle of 15 or so feeders that line their driveway. During the two days we stayed there, we encountered one group right after another, some of which contained friends we’d made on previous trips to Latin America. Here, we finally saw our much sought-after Lucifer Hummingbird, a true gem with its long forked tail, while right outside our room we listened to the whir of hummingbird wings from dawn to dusk.

Even though we here in the East cannot compete with our Western counterparts when it comes to attracting a wide variety of hummingbirds, we can easily be content with our ruby-throateds, enjoying them in our garden until cold weather sends them southward.

Southeast Arizona’s special birding months are not confined to the summer months. In the winter, it’s a great area for the many raptors (hawks and eagles) that spend this season there, to say nothing of its wonderful year-round Western birds.

PHOTO: Two male Rufous Hummingbirds, taken by Earle Robinson

For more info, check out his beautiful site: http://desert-life.org/