We have kept up hummer feeders all winter. There are some buff-bellied and a rufous who decided to winter in Rockport. Some black-chinned or ruby-throated have joined them. Yesterday late I saw at least five hummers busily working our two back-yard feeders. They seemed to sense it was going to be a really cold night. It was! We were in the mid-twenties early this morning. Our grapefruit and lemon trees are wrapped as good as possible. But what about the hummers? Would they survive? The morning light answered that. They were gathered around a frozen feeder which I quickly replaced. I am guessing they went into a TORPOR. Alexander Wilson watched a hummer recover from TORPIDITY as early as 1810. The body temp lowers; breathing is reduced, and metabolic rates are lowered. Such a bird appears dead. One can be picked up and moved around without ever showing any sign of life. The sugar water supply they get in the daytime helps them survive a cold torpid night. I don't know where our birds spent the night. I would have welcomed them into the house or garage but they would not have accepted an invitation. They appear strong and healthy and hungry this morning.
Do you suffer from TORPIDITY when it gets cold? Some folks do. They bundle up and go into a partial hibernation. Others grab fishing tackle or shotguns and head for the out of doors. Others hit the ski slopes. Still others look for birds in Amish backyards. We are all different. If you are torpid today just take it easy. Drink plenty of sugar water (tea or coffee) and soon you will be flying again.( I may have given you a new word today.) TORPOR.
