Yes, hummingbirds are very popular in New Mexico due to the state’s ideal habitat for these small, colorful birds. New Mexico’s varied terrain, plentiful flowers, and numerous backyard feeders attract several species of hummingbirds each year.
What makes New Mexico a good home for hummingbirds?
New Mexico provides excellent habitat for hummingbirds for a few key reasons:
- Diverse geography – New Mexico has mountains, valleys, deserts, forests, and rivers. This varied terrain supports many types of flowering plants that hummingbirds rely on for food.
- Mild climate – The southern parts of New Mexico have warm weather that allows hummingbirds to reside in the state year-round. Northern areas provide summertime breeding grounds.
- Backyard feeding – New Mexicans love viewing and feeding hummingbirds. The abundance of feeders provides supplemental nutrition for hummingbirds.
The combination of diverse native plants and artificial feeders creates plentiful food sources for hummingbirds across New Mexico. The state’s mix of climates also gives hummingbirds options for both summer breeding and year-round living. These factors make New Mexico a highly attractive place for several hummingbird species.
Which species of hummingbirds live in New Mexico?
At least six species of hummingbirds can be found in New Mexico:
- Black-chinned Hummingbird
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird
- Rufous Hummingbird
- Calliope Hummingbird
- Broad-billed Hummingbird
- Anna’s Hummingbird
The most widespread and commonly seen hummingbird in New Mexico is the Black-chinned Hummingbird. However, Rufous Hummingbirds are also abundant during their summer breeding season in the state.
When do hummingbirds arrive in New Mexico?
Most hummingbirds arrive in New Mexico in early spring to take advantage of the blossoming flowers and breeding opportunities. Here are the typical spring arrival times for common New Mexico hummingbirds:
- Black-chinned – Late February to early March
- Broad-tailed – Mid to late April
- Rufous – Mid to late April
- Calliope – Mid to late April
- Broad-billed – Early to mid-May
- Anna’s – Late autumn and early winter
The Black-chinned Hummingbird is the earliest to return to New Mexico in late winter. The Rufous and Broad-tailed soon follow in April as the mountain wildflowers begin to bloom. Calliope, Broad-billed, and rare summer residents arrive by May.
Ideal Hummingbird Habitat in New Mexico
From mountain meadows to backyard gardens, various habitat types support hummingbirds in New Mexico. Here are some of the best places to look for hummingbirds:
Mountain areas
Hummingbirds thrive in New Mexico’s mountains during the summer breeding season. Areas like the Sandia Mountains, Sacramento Mountains, Jemez Mountains, and San Juan Mountains provide ideal nesting habitat from April to August. Alpine wildflowers like Indian paintbrush, columbine, and larkspur provide nectar for fueling nesting and migration. Broad-tailed, Calliope, Rufous, and Broad-billed Hummingbirds can all be found in mountain summer grounds.
Riparian corridors
The rivers and streams of New Mexico harbor cottonwoods, willows, and other water-loving plants. These riparian corridors attract Anna’s, Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, and Rufous Hummingbirds, especially during migration seasons. Some key riparian areas include the Rio Grande, Pecos River, and San Juan River.
Desert and canyon oases
Even in dry deserts and canyons, pockets of flowers and shade plants provide food and shelter for hummingbirds. Agaves, ocotillos, mint marigold, and desert willow are some hummingbird-friendly desert plants. Red-flowering plants like Indian paintbrush also thrive in rocky canyon terrain. Anna’s, Black-chinned, Costa’s, and Rufous Hummingbirds frequent desert-canyon water sources.
Backyard gardens and feeders
New Mexicans intentionally cultivate hummingbird habitat with nectar-rich plantings and feeders. Backyards in towns like Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Taos, and Silver City attract ducking hummingbirds with tube feeders, sugar-water mixes, and flowers like fuchsia, trumpet vine, and lantana. Broad-tailed, Black-chinned, and Rufous Hummingbirds are frequent backyard visitors.
Hummingbird Behavior and Adaptations
Hummingbirds exhibit some fascinating behaviors and adaptations that allow them to thrive in New Mexico:
Feeding
Hummingbirds have specialized tongues and beaks designed for accessing nectar. Their long, tubular tongues dart in and out up to 13 times per second. This allows them to lick up nectar as they hover near flowers. Their slender beaks are perfect for probing into bloom centers.
Flight and speed
Hummingbirds can fly forwards, backwards, upside down, and hover in midair. Their wings beat up to 70 times per second, allowing maneuvers not possible for other birds. Some hummingbirds can reach speeds over 30 mph during courtship dives. This aerial agility lets hummingbirds access flowers and evade predators.
Migration
Most New Mexico hummingbirds migrate south in fall to Mexico and Central America. Before leaving, they gorge on nectar to nearly double their body weight, storing extra fat for migration fuel. Their nonstop 500+ mile flights across the Gulf of Mexico take 18-22 hours. Some species brave this exhausting journey twice annually.
Torpor
To conserve energy overnight and when food is scarce, hummingbirds enter a hibernation-like state called torpor. Their metabolic rate slows, body temperature drops, and heart rate plunges. Torpor allows hummingbirds to survive cold nights and food shortages. When food returns, they revive in minutes.
Key Locations to View Hummingbirds
Some top spots in New Mexico to observe hummingbirds include:
| Location | Key viewing times | Notable species |
|---|---|---|
| Gila National Forest | April – September | Broad-tailed, Rufous |
| Sandia Mountains | May – August | Broad-tailed, Rufous |
| Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge | March – October | Black-chinned, Anna’s |
| Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary | May – September | Broad-billed, Violet-crowned |
| Rocky Canyon Trail | July – August | Rufous, Calliope |
These areas all provide excellent wildflower spots, hummingbird feeders, and free public access. Their peak viewing times coincide with either hummingbird migration or breeding seasons.
Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Backyard
You can invite hummingbirds to visit your own yard in New Mexico. Follow these tips:
Add nectar feeders
Use store-bought or DIY feeders filled with a 4:1 sugar-water ratio. Place feeders in visible areas sheltered from wind. Clean and swap sugar-water every 2-3 days to prevent spoilage.
Plant native flowers
Choose New Mexico native plants with tubed or red flowers preferred by hummingbirds. Examples include paintbrush, penstemon, fuchsia, larkspur, and honeysuckle.
Offer water
Hummingbirds bathe and drink water in addition to eating nectar. Use a mister, drippers, or shallow bird bath filled with fresh water daily. Provide some perches for resting near water.
Avoid pesticides
Pesticides reduce insect populations that hummingbirds rely on for protein. Avoid pesticide use or choose organic, non-toxic options.
Provide small perches
Hummingbirds like to rest between feeder visits. Offer perches about 5 feet high on trees, posts, arbors, or hooks near feeding areas.
Threats Facing Hummingbirds in New Mexico
While hummingbirds remain plentiful in New Mexico, some threats put their future at risk:
Habitat loss
Development, logging, overgrazing, and fires degrade and remove vegetation needed by hummingbirds for food, shelter, and nesting.
Climate change
Changing weather patterns, temperatures, and reduced flower/insect availability driven by climate change may impact hummingbirds.
Drought
Lack of water reduces blooms and limits food availability. Ongoing drought pressures hummingbird populations.
Pesticides
Chemical insecticides reduce insect populations that hummingbirds depend on as a protein source. Herbicides also decrease flower availability.
Window collisions
Hummingbirds frequently collide with windows on homes and buildings, resulting in injuries and deaths. Making windows visible to birds can reduce collisions.
Interesting Hummingbird Facts
Here are some cool facts about New Mexico hummingbirds:
- Hummingbird nests are smaller than a walnut shell, often stretching to accommodate growing chicks.
- Males perform elaborate courtship dances to impress females, making loops and dives at high speeds.
- Hummingbird eggs are smaller than a jellybean. Female Broad-tailed Hummingbirds lay the smallest known bird egg relative to body size.
- Most hummingbirds have between 250-300 feathers. By comparison, crows have over 25,000 feathers.
- A hummingbird’s heart rate can reach over 1,200 beats per minute while in flight. Their hearts are 2.5% of their total body weight.
- Hummingbirds are the only birds able to fly backwards by rapidly beating their wings forwards and backwards in a figure-eight pattern.
- While collecting nectar, hummingbirds incidentally pollinate plants. They play an important role in flower reproduction and plant biodiversity.
Conclusion
In summary, hummingbirds are extremely popular in New Mexico due to ideal habitat like mountains, riparian areas, and backyard gardens that provide food sources these tiny dynamos need to thrive. A variety of hummingbird species pass through or reside in the state, exhibiting unique adaptions for survival. While threats exist, active conservation efforts combined with public enthusiasm ensure hummingbirds continue brightening the landscape across New Mexico for years to come. Their beauty, speed, and aerial skills will continue amazing and delighting locals and visitors alike.
