Just after the first ruby-throated hummingbirds landed in the Gulf States, that region had a rare late-season snowstorm.

• How do you think a storm like this could put early-arriving hummingbirds in danger? Make a list, then look below the photo for some ideas.

Photo: Maryjane

Here's how a cold snap and snowstorm could affect early migrating rubythroats:

• Frosts and freezing weather can kill off their food sources: insects and flower nectar. Without these food sources — or sugar water from feeders — hummingbirds cannot tolerate cold well or survive for long.
  
  Note: As migrating rubythroats journey from Mexico, they can face headwinds or get blown sideways. If this happens, they use more energy, are more exhausted, and need even more "fast" food when they get here!
  
  
• Rubythroats can handle nights as cold as the teens. They do this by going into torpor — a sleeplike state — to save energy. But here's the risk: The birds don't come out of torpor quickly, so they can more easily be attacked by predators.

There is good news this time. We haven't heard of any dead rubythroats discovered during this snowstorm. The temperatures near the coast never dropped below the 20s, and the snow melted shortly after hitting the ground. We should also thank the many Gulf State observers who keep schoolyard and backyard hummingbird feeders filled!