C’mon you guys on the ships and oil rigs, plan ahead for our little friends! Have the Hummingbird feeders full and waiting for these beautiful, very tired and hungry little birds. GOD will bless you for your offering.
-Sheila Tolley–
Exhausted hummingbirds have been known to land on ships and oil rigs in the ocean while migrating. They may take temporary refuge on these vessels when they run low on energy during long, non-stop flights over open water, such as across the Gulf of Mexico.
Key facts about this phenomenon:
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A dangerous journey: Certain hummingbird species, most notably the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, can fly non-stop for 18 to 22 hours to cross 500 miles of open water. This feat requires them to double their body weight with fat reserves before departure.
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Some don’t make it: Despite these preparations, the journey is extremely strenuous. Wind changes and other adverse conditions can make the trip even harder, and some birds will fall into the water from exhaustion.
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A lifeline for tired migrants: For those on the verge of exhaustion, a ship or offshore oil rig can be a life-saving rest stop. Crews have reported exhausted hummingbirds landing on their vessels for a break before continuing their journey.
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Human intervention can help: In some cases, ship crews have made temporary hummingbird feeders out of plastic bottles and sugar water to help the tired birds refuel.
