Thousands and thousands of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds can be found here from late August to early October. The Ruby-throats, and four other species of hummingbirds, come to Aransas to feed on small red flowers known as Turk's Cap, and other brightly colored nectar flowers, in the forest and brush land areas of the refuge. Hummingbird gardens, nectar feeders and restored habitats give the tiny birds the extra boost of energy they need to continue on their way. Their primary food supply is nectar, which they drink by reaching deeply into flowers with their long and strong tongues. To stay alive, Ruby-throats, must visit thousands of flowers each day to obtain enough food.
Hummingbirds are also extremely maneuverable.
They can hover motionless and can even fly backwards. Perhaps more than any other bird, the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds signal the positive benefits people can have when they take small steps to improve habitat in their backyards. Teachers and students can contribute to the positive side of this equation for hummingbirds by conducting habitat projects at school sites. According to the Madison Audubon Society, eight thousand Purple Martins had gathered in Madison, Wisconsin on August 28th before beginning their long migration to South America. Martins spend the winter east of the Andes Mountains, from Venezuela to northern Bolivia and southeastern Brazil.