Buff-bellied Hummingbird

Buff-bellied Hummingbirds breed along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, north to southern Texas and south to Belize and Guatemala. In Texas this species is common from March to August, becoming rare in the fall and winter. Like many hummingbirds, undoubtedly some post-breeding Buff-bellies migrate south. But, uniquely, a few disperse into the southeastern United States. Records exist from most southeastern states, from Arkansas to Florida and North Carolina. At least in Louisiana, winter records may be on the increase (Chavex-Ramirez and Moreno-Valdez 1999, Rubythroat.org).

Erika and I were delighted to photograph this Buff-bellied Hummingbird at the Estero Llano Grande State Park. Hummingbirds were not abundant during February, but patience in front of one the the park hummingbird feeders paid off. We listed this species during our March 2011 visit to Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, but then we only saw one uncooperative individual.