Do Illinois’ Returning Hummingbirds Remember You From Last Year?

Word has it that they're already on their way north toward Illinois, other northern states, and Canada from their winter homes in Mexico.

Of course, we're talking about hummingbirds. As a longtime hummingbird fan, I was delighted to read last weekend that over the last week, migrating hummingbirds have hit the road (so to speak) and are making the long trek from their winter homes south of the border.

Some are heading farther north, going into Wisconsin, Minnesota, and on into Canada, while others are going to stay behind and spend their summers with us here in the Land of Lincoln. The main two species that will be around here are the ruby-throated hummingbird, and the Rufous hummingbird.

Let's talk about how you can convince them that your yard is the summer resort they've been looking for, and in doing so, get them to remember you as a friend.

Many Hummingbirds Spend Their Winters In Central America Mexico, But When February Comes, They Go

Unlike other birds that make the migration trip together, hummingbirds do it solo. They fly alone, often on the same path they took earlier in their life, and they really fly low, just above tree tops or water. Young hummingbirds have to learn as they go, because they navigate without parental guidance.

HummingbirdCentral.com:

During migration, a hummingbird's heart beats up to 1,260 times a minute, and its wings flap 15 to 80 times a second. Research indicates a hummingbird can travel as much as 23 miles in one day. However those that make the 500 mile flight from Florida to the Yucatan do it in 18-22 hours non-stop, depending on wind conditions.

If You're Looking To Make Your Yard A Hummingbird Haven, Here's What To Do

I'd start with a feeder like the one you see the hummingbird sitting on in the photo above. Better yet, get yourself several of them. The more feeders, the more hummingbirds.

Here are some tips, courtesy of BirdAdvisors.com:

• Provide more hummingbird feeders and spread them around your yard to create more territories.
• Ensure you clean and change the hummingbird nectar regularly. You can either buy nectar or make your own, but don’t use any with red dye.
• Provide a water feature such as a birdbath fountain or stream. Ensure that the water is clean and not stagnant.
• Grow native plants that will provide food such as salvias, fuschias, trumpet creeper, lupin, columbine, bee balms, and foxgloves.
• Don’t use pesticides and herbicides as these may be toxic to birds.
• Provide small perches of thin branches bare of leaves for hummingbirds to rest.

Now, Let's Get To The Question Of Whether Or Not Returning Hummingbirds Will Remember You When They're Back In Illinois

In addition to being able to fly backwards, these small birds have pretty extraordinary memories. According to BirdWatchingDaily.com, their ability to remember the exact locations of flowers and feeders, along with the timing of nectar replenishment, has been well-documented.

When a hummingbird visits your feeder, it’s not just randomly stopping by--it likely remembers when it was last there and whether it was worth the trip. Hummingbirds can even remember which flowers had more nectar than the other ones did!

BirdWatchingDaily.com:

Given that hummingbirds have excellent memory, it is reasonable to hypothesize that they may associate specific people with food sources, particularly those who frequently refill feeders. Many birdwatchers report that hummingbirds become more comfortable around them over time, even flying close as if expecting a refill, which at the very least means they do not see you as a threat.

So, yes. It seems as though hummingbirds do remember their Illinois friends.