Illinois

Do Illinois’ Returning Hummingbirds Remember You From Last Year?

Published

2 months ago

February 27, 2025

Do Illinois’ Returning Hummingbirds Remember You From Last Year?

Word has it that they’re already on their way north toward Illinois, other northern states, and Canada from their winter homes in Mexico.

Of course, we’re talking about hummingbirds. As a longtime hummingbird fan, I was delighted to read last weekend that over the last week, migrating hummingbirds have hit the road (so to speak) and are making the long trek from their winter homes south of the border.

Some are heading farther north, going into Wisconsin, Minnesota, and on into Canada, while others are going to stay behind and spend their summers with us here in the Land of Lincoln. The main two species that will be around here are the ruby-throated hummingbird, and the Rufous hummingbird.

Let’s talk about how you can convince them that your yard is the summer resort they’ve been looking for, and in doing so, get them to remember you as a friend.

Many Hummingbirds Spend Their Winters In Central America Mexico, But When February Comes, They Go

Unlike other birds that make the migration trip together, hummingbirds do it solo. They fly alone, often on the same path they took earlier in their life, and they really fly low, just above tree tops or water. Young hummingbirds have to learn as they go, because they navigate without parental guidance.

HummingbirdCentral.com:

During migration, a hummingbird’s heart beats up to 1,260 times a minute, and its wings flap 15 to 80 times a second. Research indicates a hummingbird can travel as much as 23 miles in one day. However those that make the 500 mile flight from Florida to the Yucatan do it in 18-22 hours non-stop, depending on wind conditions.

If You’re Looking To Make Your Yard A Hummingbird Haven, Here’s What To Do

I’d start with a feeder like the one you see the hummingbird sitting on in the photo above. Better yet, get yourself several of them. The more feeders, the more hummingbirds.

Here are some tips, courtesy of BirdAdvisors.com:

Provide more hummingbird feeders and spread them around your yard to create more territories.
Ensure you clean and change the hummingbird nectar regularly. You can either buy nectar or make your own, but don’t use any with red dye.
Provide a water feature such as a birdbath fountain or stream. Ensure that the water is clean and not stagnant.
Grow native plants that will provide food such as salvias, fuschias, trumpet creeper, lupin, columbine, bee balms, and foxgloves.
Don’t use pesticides and herbicides as these may be toxic to birds.
Provide small perches of thin branches bare of leaves for hummingbirds to rest.

Now, Let’s Get To The Question Of Whether Or Not Returning Hummingbirds Will Remember You When They’re Back In Illinois

In addition to being able to fly backwards, these small birds have pretty extraordinary memories. According to BirdWatchingDaily.com, their ability to remember the exact locations of flowers and feeders, along with the timing of nectar replenishment, has been well-documented.

When a hummingbird visits your feeder, it’s not just randomly stopping by–it likely remembers when it was last there and whether it was worth the trip. Hummingbirds can even remember which flowers had more nectar than the other ones did!

BirdWatchingDaily.com:

Given that hummingbirds have excellent memory, it is reasonable to hypothesize that they may associate specific people with food sources, particularly those who frequently refill feeders. Many birdwatchers report that hummingbirds become more comfortable around them over time, even flying close as if expecting a refill, which at the very least means they do not see you as a threat.

So, yes. It seems as though hummingbirds do remember their Illinois friends.

LOOK: The Funniest Animal Photos of 2024

The 2024 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards reveal the hilarious side of nature, with a flailing squirrel taking the top prize and plenty of giggles along the way. Keep scrolling for the wildly hysterical (and maybe a bit cute) photos.

Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz

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Illinois

Person shot at Illinois State University

Published

4 hours ago

April 28, 2025

Press Room

Person shot at Illinois State University – CBS Chicago

Watch CBS News

A suspect was on the run Sunday night after the shooting in the area of the Bone Student Center.

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Illinois

Illinois Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for April 26, 2025

Published

23 hours ago

April 27, 2025

Press Room

Illinois Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for April 26, 2025

The Illinois Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at April 26, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from April 26 drawing

01-12-14-18-69, Powerball: 02, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick-3 numbers from April 26 drawing

Midday: 5-6-6, Fireball: 9

Evening: 3-9-4, Fireball: 8

Check Pick-3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick-4 numbers from April 26 drawing

Midday: 2-7-5-5, Fireball: 5

Evening: 4-1-9-2, Fireball: 0

Check Pick-4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning LuckyDay Lotto numbers from April 26 drawing

Midday: 06-07-22-39-45

Evening: 05-10-32-33-35

Check LuckyDay Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto numbers from April 26 drawing

12-18-23-26-29-39, Extra Shot: 25

Check Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes up to $600: Claim at an Illinois Lottery retailer, a Claim Center, by mail, or via an e-Claim. By mail, send the required documentation to: Illinois Lottery Claims Department, P.O. Box 19080, Springfield, IL.
Prizes from $601 to $10,000: Claim at a Claim Center, by mail, or via an e-Claim.
Prizes over $10,000: Claim at a Claim Center or by mail.
Appointments Required: Schedule an appointment for in-person claims.
Documentation: Bring a photo ID and Social Security number proof.

When are the Illinois Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky Day Lotto (Day): 12:40 p.m. CT daily.
Lucky Day Lotto (Evening): 9:22 p.m. CT daily.
Lotto: 9:22 p.m. CT on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Pick 3 (Day): 12:40 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Evening): 9:22 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Day): 12:40 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Evening): 9:22 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Illinois editor. You can send feedback using this form. Our News Automation and AI team would love to hear from you. Take this survey and share your thoughts with us.

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Illinois

Illinois hit-and-run suspect captured after fleeing crash scene, sheriff says

Published

2 days ago

April 26, 2025

Press Room

Illinois hit-and-run suspect captured after fleeing crash scene, sheriff says

LAKE CO., Ill. – The driver who allegedly caused a serious crash with injuries in north suburban Lake County on Friday was arrested after he fled the scene on foot, according to police.

The crash happened near the intersection of North Avenue and West Mawman Avenue in Beach Park around 3:30 p.m., the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said in a release.

What we know:

Gilberto Santiago Jr., 43, was driving a Mitsubishi Outlander southbound on North Avenue and veered into the southbound lane. His car hit a Nissan Versa, driven by a 70-year-old woman from Zion.

The crash caused the rear door to open, and the backseat passenger of the Mitsubishi to fall out of the car. The passenger was taken to an area hospital with serious injuries.

The driver of the Nissan was also taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

When deputies arrived at the scene, they learned that four of the five occupants of the Mitsubishi had fled on foot. They established a perimeter and searched for Santiago and the others.

With help from a Waukegan police K9 team and a Libertyville police drone operator, officers found Santiago and one of the other passengers. Both were uninjured. The other two individuals who fled were not found.

The sheriff’s office said Santiago appeared “heavily intoxicated” and was taken to the Lake County Jail.

He was charged with aggravated DUI, driving with a revoked license, aggravated DUI with a revoked license, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and leaving the scene of an accident with injuries.

What’s next:

Santiago was expected to remain in jail pending an initial court hearing on Saturday.

NewsLake CountyCrime and Public Safety

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