The Hummingbird That Sparked a Nebraska Birding Frenzy
November 30, 2025
Nebraska birders are well-acquainted with the yearly arrival of ruby-throated hummingbirds, but this fall, as the first frost settled in, one backyard visitor stood out among the changing seasons. Perched among the fading blooms of a backyard garden in Lincoln, NE, was a juvenile Costa’s hummingbird - a species normally found in the arid landscapes of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. Thousands of miles off course, this tiny wanderer seemed unfazed by the plummeting temperatures. Day after day, he returned to the yard of Lincoln resident Jennifer Munson, captivating birders from across the region who flocked to see him. It wasn’t long before this special visitor earned the affectionate nickname “Bob Costas.”
As the cold grew sharper, it became clear that Bob had lingered too long to make a safe migration and would not survive our harsh midwestern winter. Recognizing the urgency, Jennifer and retired NGPC officer, Dina Barta, teamed up to provide food and rescue Bob before the cold could claim him. On November 17th, he was carefully captured and brought to Nebraska Wildlife Rehab for care and evaluation.
Costa's Hummingbird Sightings Map Generated from eBird Observations
(Year-Round, 2020-2025)
Releasing Bob here in Nebraska wasn’t an option, so the search began for a warmer refuge - somewhere closer to the desert habitat he needed. That’s when NWR Executive Director, Laura Stastny, connected with Julia at Southern Arizona Hummingbird Rescue (SAHR), and an extraordinary plan took shape: Laura would transport Bob safely to his home territory, making a 3,300-mile journey with a 2 ½ gram hummingbird in her passenger seat (and another very lost animal we'll share soon!).
Later in the week, Bob was released into the Arizona desert where he belongs. And although the "why" of his appearance in Nebraska remains a mystery, we're extremely grateful for the very special group of individuals that went out of their way for a little lost bird.
