Spring colors, the feathered version: ‘Bright little birds’

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

A little more relief from the relentless gray: “Bright little birds,” as Trileigh Tucker describes them. She shared the photos while reporting:

The first Rufous Hummingbird of the season showed up at my feeder on Monday! These gorgeous little aerial jewels show up in early spring after migrating an incredibly long distance – all the way from Texas and Mexico. If readers are interested, there’s a migration map available … along with a link you can click to animate the migration. Such a tiny bird flying such a long way to come visit us during the spring and summer!

I’m also attaching a photo of one of our resident birds, only slightly larger than a hummingbird – a golden-crowned kinglet. They stay with us all winter long and provide a bright spot in the rainy woods!

coffee April 1, 2011 (6:58 pm)

I get those cuties in my feeder all winter long. They are nice to see on dreary days.

Genesee Hill April 1, 2011 (7:23 pm)

Absolutely stunning photos! Thank you!

JumboJim April 1, 2011 (7:39 pm)

Hi coffee,

Most likely the species you see in the winter is the Anna’s Hummingbird – they’re basically non-migratory. The Rufous Hummingbird spend the winter in Mexico as Trileigh noted. Can you imagine what those poor Rufous Hummers must be thinking after flying all that way for THIS kind of weather! Yikes.

Jill April 1, 2011 (9:02 pm)

Thank you for these amazing photos!

hatcher April 1, 2011 (10:31 pm)

Love the local birds! Thanks. : )

herongrrrl April 1, 2011 (10:36 pm)

You can tell rufous from Anna’s easily by looking at their bellies; rufous have a rusty color, Anna’s are greenish.

I’ve been waiting to spot my first rufous of the season visiting our red flowering currant and salmonberries…nice to know they are back in the neighborhood!

Been There April 2, 2011 (6:20 am)

Beautiful photograh’s. Thank you.

Jasperblu April 2, 2011 (7:20 am)

Maybe @coffee was referring to the Kinglets being at their feeder all winter?
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I used to live in SE Arizona & Rufous hummingbirds were a regular fixture in my yard there, as were about 1/2 dozen other species all year round. I really miss the variety of song birds there, and have had to adjust my “eyes” to look out for new & different birds that frequent feeders & wooded areas here in the PacNW.
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Thank you so much for these photos, THIS Bird Nerd’s heart gets all aflutter to see such pics. Can’t wait to see a Rufous in MY yard this year. Crossing fingers and toes that I will. Love my year round visits from the Anna’s, but will enjoy some variety during our warmer months as well. Can’t beat a yard full of cheeky hummingbirds.