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Ruby Throated Hummingbird - (Archilochus
colubris)
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May
8, 2009 - The ruby throated hummingbird is back.
Other local birders have reported seeing these
birds earlier this spring, as we jealously
awaited our own sighting. Our visitor tested
the new red feeder, but quickly moved around
the yard to drink the fresher sugar water from
the orange oriole feeder. Because this feeder
was further afield and it was approaching dusk,
the pictures were rather blurry. He came back
for last call to the first feeder. Before he
left for the night, he hovered over the cotton
ball filled with soft nesting material, for
future reference, I hope. |
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March
22, 2009 - We hung our new hummingbird feeder in
the same location as last year. When we had put
out our first feeder last May 24, 2008, a ruby
throated hummingbird landed on it almost
immediately. After changing feeders several
times (leaking and poor camera visibility) we
still weren't happy with the interference of the
supply bottle with picture taking efforts (the
hummingbirds were undisturbed by these changes).
By the end of last summer we added more
feeding options by planting flowers and bushes
for the natural nectar (the hummingbirds were
delighted with this change).
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Even though hummingbirds may
be arriving now, we see no sign of them.
We made our own sugar water and set up the
feeder just in case. While we haven't yet
attracted the tiny birds, we also haven't
attracted even tinier bees or ants. The new
feeder is designed to eliminate bug problems.
It also won't obstruct the view of the birds
since it hangs by a center hook the dimension of
a wire coat hanger. I think we found the
perfect feeder, now the birds need to find it.
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Normally I love miniature
things- from doll house accessories to tiny
collectible stuff. However, I've never been
overly excited about hummingbirds. We had
several sightings last year when they were
drinking from, of all things, the rather
pathetic flowers from our overgrown hostas. Ho
hum.
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With our newfound interest in
all things bird, we put out a hummingbird
feeder. I must confess, we were hoping to
further encourage the Baltimore oriole who had
come to eat from a suet feeder.
Within 15 minutes and
seemingly out of nowhere, a male ruby-throated
hummingbird flew around the feeder. It was
wonderful! After snapping a few lucky
pictures, I was hooked.. They really are cute
little guys.
My gardening friend Paula
purchased a tiny hummingbird feeder (about 4
inches tall) she thought would work to
"hand feed" her little birds. She removed
her regular nectar feeders that they loved and
just stood still between their usual hanging
spots holding the new feeder. She only had
to wait one minute before she had her first
visitor.
When my younger
grand girl
Ellery first saw a picture of this type
hummingbird pair in one of my bird books, she
thought the girl was pretty and the boy was too
"rainbowish".
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Size:
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Length: 3-4 in
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Weight: .11-.12 oz |
Wingspan: 4.5 in |
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ID:
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Male: Iridescent green on head and
back; chin and throat (gorget) fiery
ruby red and jewel-like (appears to be
black in certain light); breast white
and sides and belly green; bill long,
black and needlelike; long and forked
tongue acts as wick and thin membrane on
the edges act as nectar scoop; black
feet anisodactylous (three toes point
forward and one toe points
backward);forked tail extends beyond
wingtips
Femaleand juvenile: Lack the ruby
throat, having grayish streak instead
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Habitat:
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Open woods, meadows, flower gardens,
backyards with feeders and trees
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Diet:
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Nectar (uses tongue and long bill to
extract from blooming flowers-especially
the red tube-shaped type); sweetened
water taken from feeders (attracted to
red feeders, but not red liquid); eats
small insects and spiders especially
during nesting and breeding months.
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Family Behavior:
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Mating Habits: Promiscuous (male
pursues as many females as possible);
solitary
Local Breeding Period: Early June
Nests:Female builds deep eye cup size
nest of soft plant fibers, feathers,
hair; outside covered in lichen or tree
bark strips for camouflage; spider
webbing holds nest together; usually
placed in forked tree branches, but any
supporting structure will do; often
return the following spring
Eggs:2 white, jellybean-sized,
elliptical eggs; incubated 11-16 days by
female
Nestlings: Born altricial (helpless,
naked, eyes closed) and stay in nest 2-4
weeks; female feeds
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Social Activities:
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Mostly solitary (very anti-social);
male very territorial, driving out
competition; females defend nest and
food sources
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Range:
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Breeding: Eastern United States and
west to the Mississippi
River; southern Canada
Winter: Mexico and South America
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Vocalization:
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Squeaky, rapid chatter and twitter;
rapid wing movement in flight causes a
soft buzzing sound
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| Lifespan: |
Up to 9 years |
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