Last night, I saw no hummers at the feeders - for the first time since late last April. I guess they have taken off on their migratory journey. I will really miss them! They are becoming one of my all time favorite birds. What's not to love? They are beautiful to look at, are probably one of the most acrobatic of all flyers, and they are not very shy around us human types. Oh! And they leave very small turds on the feeders.
I just read that the ruby-throated hummingbird beats their wings 53 times a second. Also, because of their short legs, they are unable to hop or walk. Fascinating! They can't even walk but they migrate from as far north as Canada to as far south as Costa Rica.
Here's a nice link to learn some facts about the ruby-throats!
Hummers say farewell
Posted by
Birdbutch
at
9/27/2007 12:54:00 PM
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Tufted Titmouse on my railing
My fav feeder bird |
Posted by
Birdbutch
at
12/01/2006 02:17:00 PM
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The Birding Survey
So, there's a survey going around on the various birding blogs out there and I decided to post my responses here. It was kind of fun to do it. Go ahead - try it yourself!
What state (or country) do you live in? Indiana
How long have you been birding? 22 years
Are you a "lister"? Yes ABA Life List: 261 Overall Life List: 261
Favorite Birding Spots: Rio Grande Valley, Cape May NJ, Sanibel Island FL
Favorite birding spot outside your home country: Never been but dream of the Galapagos
Farthest you've traveled to chase a rare bird: Florida
Nemesis bird: Red Breasted Nuthatch
"Best" bird sighting: Painted Bunting
Most wanted trip: Point Pelee
Most wanted bird: Magnificent Hummer
What model and brand of bins do you use?: Eagle Optics Ranger 10x42
What model and brand of scope do you use?: Pentax
What was the last lifer you added to your list?: American Oystercatcher
Where did you see your last lifer?: Provincetown Mass
What's the last bird you saw today?: Blue Jay
Best bird song you've heard ever: Carolina wren
Favorite birding moment: My first time at Ding Darling
Least favorite thing about birding: Bugs!!! Mosquitos!!!
Favorite thing about birding: The exhilaration of seeing a new species for the first time.
Favorite field guide for the US: Sibley
Favorite non-field guide bird book: Kingbird Highway
Who is your birder icon?: Pete Dunne
Do you have a bird feeder(s)? Only 8 of them!
Favorite feeder bird? Tufted Titmouse
Posted by
Birdbutch
at
11/20/2006 11:33:00 AM
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I heard the unmistakable call of a great horned owl while watching tv. Quickly, I turned down the volume and listened again. Sure enough! It was the sound of a great horned all right. I grabbed the bino's and tried to find it. It was dark outside. Focusing on what looked like a lump in the tree, as the image became clear I was thrilled! Not one but a pair of great horned owls were sitting in the cottonwood tree. One was pruning itself while the other was turning its head 180 degrees in typical owl fashion. I dropped my glasses briefly to walk to another window for a better view and "POOF" they were gone!
What a wonderful treat it was!
Posted by
Birdbutch
at
11/17/2006 07:54:00 AM
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Labels: Great Horned Owl
Posted by
Birdbutch
at
11/16/2006 09:40:00 AM
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Red Headed Woodpecker
Last Saturday, on a trip to McCormicks Creek State Park, I saw a Red Headed woodpecker up high in the white branches of a sycamore tree. I was happy to see it since this is one of our declining species and it is truly one of the most beautiful birds on the planet.
The red headed is one of only 4 woodpeckers known to store food and is the only one known to cover the food with wood or bark.
I used to see Red Heads all the time in Indiana as a youngster growing up. Now they are rare. The Red-bellied is much more prevalent around here now. Too bad, not that I don't like the Red-bellies. They are equally beautiful.
Have been reading quite a few birding blogs out there in cyberland. Will probably provide links to them on my page later on. Thank goodness for the Birdchick. I have attended both Cape May and the Rio Grande Valley bird festivals vicariously through her this year. Sounds like she has the life that a lot of birders dream of! DAMN! Why didn't I become an ornithologist.
Posted by
Birdbutch
at
11/09/2006 12:54:00 PM
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Juncos Arrive!
I guess winter is nearly upon us. For me the first sign is the return of the junco's. True "snowbirds", they usually show up here in early November. They seem to be a little early this year - arriving before Halloween. I hope this isn't a sign of an early winter!
Even though they remind me of winter, I still always enjoy watching the junco's at the feeders and in the woods edge. Here are some facts on juncos from the Cornell Lab. I can always id them in flight by their white outer tail feathers. They look like little birds in tuxedos to me.
Posted by
Birdbutch
at
10/24/2006 11:47:00 AM
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