[mou] FW: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird Behavior

[Alt, Mark]

FYI...Hummers on the move now..


-----Original Message-----
From: Bird discussion list for Pennsylvania
[mailto:PABIRDS at LIST.AUDUBON.ORG] On Behalf Of Scott Weidensaul
Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2007 12:08 PM
To: PABIRDS at LIST.AUDUBON.ORG
Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird Behavior

Chris,

   We're already well into the migration season adult male 
rubythroats, which (having mated with all the available females, but 
not contributing anything to incubation or chick-rearing) are heading 
south. Actually, I'm seeing more males around my feeders these days, 
and I know from banding that there is an almost complete replacement 
of the males in our yard every day or two, as marked birds leave and 
new ones stop off.

   Looking at your photos, at least one of the birds you pictured (the 
one with its bill open) is probably an immature male, distinguished 
by the "five-o'clock shadow" stippling on its throat. Female 
rubythroats of all ages tend to have plain white throats, while young 
males tend to show this dark gray stippling.

   Scott Weidensaul
   Schuylkill Haven, PA





>Hello everyone!  I wonder if anyone on this list or not has anything 
>to post about this subject.  Recently (for the past 2 weeks), I have 
>only seen female hummingbirds going in my mom's garden and 
>hummingbird feeders.  I know there is atleast four females, becuase 
>when one is feeding, another comes and harasses it.  They make noise 
>when doing this.  They usually take this fight up high in the sky.
>   
>   Whenever I am photographing them, it always seems like they take a 
>rest and sit on the butterfly bush's branches.  One even closed its 
>eyes for a couple of seconds.  Do they usually reset far from their 
>nest?
>   
>   I am just wondering if they are all females or immatures.  Is it 
>too early for them to have babies?  Also, why don't I see the males? 
>I am always outside, so it would be very rare if I "missed them". 
>Also, does anybody know what those clicking sounds they make are?  
>   
>   Well, thanks for all of your help!  Have a great day!
>   
>   Some photos of the hummingbirds can be found at
>   http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisbohinski/
>   
>   Christopher James Bohinski
>   Luzerne County, PA