Arizona Hummingbird

Disaster Relief

 

Help Hummingbirds Recover Impact of Arizona Wildfires

 The Monument Fire that scorched the Arizona wilderness earlier this summer made an immediate impact on both the human and animal life of the region. While the fires are out and the immediate danger past, more than 200,000 acres of habitat burned intensely enough to leave many wild animals homeless, forcing the survivors into communities and closer contact with humans.

Wild birds – most specifically hummingbirds – are critically impacted. The region is both a nesting site and migratory route for fifteen hummingbird species including several rare and unusual varieties. Estimates indicate the fire destroyed or severely damaged nearly half of nesting sites as well as habitats critical to migrating hummingbirds.  Birds are fleeing the forest to backyard feeders to find food.

 

The risk of disease transmission increases, when large bird populations concentrate in a small area. Hummingbirds are territorial and may fight other hummingbirds they perceive as intruders, adding to the stress on both residents and refugees.

 

Further complicating the situation, the thousands of migrating  hummingbirds arrive in the impacted regions in late July. These tiny birds, annually migrating between nesting grounds in the U.S. and Canada and winter homes in Mexico, will discover their usual sources for food are gone.

Kaytee Makes It Easy to Help

Experts at KAYTEE® Wild Bird Products realized the potential impact of the situation. With the engagement and input of local experts, KAYTEE developed an action plan to help the birds, the Arizona Hummingbird Disaster Relief.

 

The way for the public to get involved is by making a financial contribution to support feeding and habitat restoration efforts. KAYTEE and Cedar Works® Feeders, both Central Garden and Pet Company brands, are shipping $50,000 of KAYTEE Hummingbird ElectroNectar™ Concentrated and Cedar Works Planter Hummingbird Feeders to the affected area for placement.

How you can help!

Tax- Deductible financial contributions can be made directly to Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory (SABO) for the Arizona Hummingbird Disaster Relief fund at P.O. Box 5521, Bisbee, AZ 85603-552, or by going online to www.sabo.org. The funds, managed by SABO, will be used to support habitat restoration efforts. The funds will be matched by KAYTEE and Cedar Works in nectar and feeder donations.