A couple of quick photos of a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Milwaukee County. I did not see a male but I’m sure he was around. It was a mild sunny morning with smoky skies and temps in the low 70’s. Images were taken on June 5, 2023.
The female Ruby-throated Hummingbird…
I made a stop at Whitnall Park this morning with hopes to photograph my 1st Ruby-throats of the year. Whitnall Park did not let me down. I photographed a few different hummers as they came and went from Red Sage plants. Another hot day once it got to be around 10 AM with plenty of sun, temps around 85 degrees. Images were taken on August 23, 2020.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, young male
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, young male
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female
A couple of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have been hanging around the yard all summer and I thought I would take a couple of minutes today to photograph the action. They made repeated stops for nectar at the Bottle Gentian so I took some shots there. They get nectar from all over the yard with loads of native plants to chose from. We do see them on the nectar feeders too. It felt like a beautiful fall day with temps around 75, full sun, light winds. Images were taken on September 9, 2018.
A adult female going into the Bottle Gentian bloom for some nectar…
Getting the bill in there…
Lets check out this bloom…
Getting that great nectar!…
Thinking on where to go next…
Getting more nectar…
Finished with this plant… onto the next…
Thinking about what plant is next…
Perched pretty…
Resting for a second….
Still resting on the bloom…
Inside the bloom of the Bottle Gentian getting the nectar…
Switching blooms…
It is all great stuff in there…
At takeoff….
Filling up…
The wildflowers are blooming away these days in the yard and every once in awhile a Ruby-throated Hummingbird puts on a show. They have not been seen often, but I did get a couple of shots yesterday of what I think is a juvenile on the Royal Catchfly. Images were taken on August 2, 2017.
Getting that nectar in the Royal Catchfly
Binomial name: Archilochus colubris
Category: Hummingbirds
Size: 2.8″-3.5″ long, 3” – 4” wingspan
Weight: 0.071 oz. – 0.21 oz.
We still have Ruby-throated Hummingbirds hanging around the yard here in Waukesha County. The hummers have favored the Scarlet Sage and Zinna plants for the most part but often frequent the nectar feeders too.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Scarlet Sage
Binomial name: Archilochus colubris
Category: Hummingbirds
Description: Metallic green feathers on back, grayish-white on underparts. Males have a vibrant red throat which may appear dark in poor lighting. Wings are dark gray, almost black. Long, slender bill is black in color and mostly straight with a slight curve at the tip.
Size: 2.8″-3.5″ long, 3” – 4” wingspan
Weight: 0.071 oz. – 0.21 oz.
Habitat: Broadleaf and pine forests, orchards, meadows, parks, and gardens
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Scarlet Sage
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Scarlet Sage
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Scarlet Sage
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Scarlet Sage
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Scarlet Sage
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Scarlet Sage
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna
I was fortunate to get the opportunity to photograph a Ruby-throated Hummingbird on the nest feeding a chick and did not pass it up. Running into Anne Morretti out birding, she mentioned 2 of her birding friends Joann and Monica had an active bird nest. I followed the excitement of the event for a couple of weeks from the first moment of seeing a nest with a female sitting on it, the tiny beak from the chick above the nest, till the day the bird fledged. There was just one chick and the female was always hanging around of course. Once in awhile a male was seen, but I never saw it near the nest. To find a Ruby-throated Hummingbird nest, you just have to be in the right place at the right time when an adult goes to the nest, and they were. The nests are just so tiny! A big thank you to Monica, Joann and Anne for sharing this event. A difficult event to photograph as lighting changed by the second, up in a dark tree and the branches were always moving so I apologize for any poor quality images as some I thought should be included in this post. I have put the images in order as the way they happened. Images were taken from August 22, 2016 thru September 4, 2016.
It all started here…….The female adult Ruby-throated Hummingbird sitting on the nest…
The nest, up in a large tree is about 2″ across and 1″ deep
At this point, not even sure if there is a chick in the nest or an egg, is she just house cleaning?
She sits on the nest, and out comes a feather, still don’t know if the feather was laying in the nest from her earlier or is off a chick?
Then the moment, a beak is seen poking up from the nest, it is a chick!
The chick is growing fast, there is the female on the branch along with the chick in the nest, calling “Mom”!
Waiting for food
The female lands on the nest with some food…
The feeding begins
The feeding continues…
The feeding continues down deep…
The end of the first portion
And they take a short break
And they start right up and the feeding continues
And it continues down deep
End of the 2 part feeding which I saw often
Nothing goes to waste…
A very short rest after feeding, then the female leaves the nest till the next feeding that were running about 15-20 minutes apart
I’m leaving for now
I will be back soon, chick in the background “Mom”!
Female perches in a near by tree on a branch within sight of the nest for awhile typically after feeding the chick
Stretching those wings
Preening and working that tongue
Two birds in one nest, I think the female was trying to open the nest up more which is what they do as the chick grows, the nest expands
Preening
Spreading those wings…
Just about time to fly, the chick fledged on September 4, 2016 about 9:00 am. I hope they are all doing well!
A pair of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have been hanging around the yard here this summer in Waukesha County. We have seen very little of them all summer but in just the last couple of days they have been hitting the Royal Catchfly, one of the many plants they get nectar from here in the yard. The male is seen less and I am still hoping for some shots of that beauty. I took a few minutes today to photograph the adult female in action. Images were taken on July 31, 2016.
Binomial name: Archilochus colubris
Category: Hummingbirds
Description: Metallic green feathers on back, grayish-white on underparts. Males have a vibrant red throat which may appear dark in poor lighting. Wings are dark gray, almost black. Long, slender bill is black in color and mostly straight with a slight curve at the tip.
Size: 2.8″-3.5″ long, 3” – 4” wingspan
Weight: 0.071 oz. – 0.21 oz.
Habitat: Broadleaf and pine forests, orchards, meadows, parks, and gardens
Falling nectar
With not much going on bird wise, I decided to make a run out to Wyalusing State Park to see what was going on. Bruce joined me for the day and we had a great time. Some of the species seen in the park were Cerulean Warbler, a life bird for me, Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Dickcissels, Scarlet Tanager, Blue Indigo Buntings, American Bald Eagles, and very many Baltimore Orioles to name a few. The highlight of the day were the 30-40 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds at the 4 feeders at once at the visitor center at the park entrance. I have never seen more than a couple of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds at once so seeing 30-40 at once was an amazing treat. One of the staff had noted that hummingbirds were recently banded and they had 4 birds that had returned from the previous year, how exciting! For the most park a cloudy day, the sun showed for a few minutes with nice mild temps. Images were taken on June 16, 2016.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, male
Binomial name: Archilochus colubris
Category: Hummingbirds
Weight: 0.071 oz. – 0.21 oz.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, male
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, male
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, male
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, male
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female, blurry back view
At least 2 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are still hanging around the yard here in Waukesha County. Bottle Gentian has been a favorite once again as it is in full bloom now. Still amazes me how their bill goes into the top, then inside so carefully for the nectar and the plant almost looks untouched. With Cardinal Flower and Zinnias still blooming those are also still flowers of choice. They are still going to the nectar feeders along with other wildflowers in the yard. Images were taken on September 5, 2015.
Bottle Gentian
Binomial name: Archilochus colubris
Category: Hummingbirds
Description: Metallic green feathers on back, grayish-white on underparts. Males have a vibrant red throat which may appear dark in poor lighting. Wings are dark gray, almost black. Long, slender bill is black in color and mostly straight with a slight curve at the tip.
Size: 2.8″-3.5″ long, 3” – 4” wingspan
Weight: 0.071 oz. – 0.21 oz.
Habitat: Broadleaf and pine forests, orchards, meadows, parks, and gardens
Bottle Gentian
Bottle Gentian
Bottle Gentian
Bottle Gentian
Bottle Gentian
Cardinal Flower
Cardinal Flower
Cardinal Flower
Cardinal Flower
Cardinal Flower
Cardinal Flower
Zinnia
Zinnia
Zinnia
Zinnia
Zinnia
Zinnia
Zinnia
Zinnia
Zinnia
Zinnia
Zinnia
Zinnia
Zinnia
Zinnia
Zinnia
A pair of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are still hanging around the yard here in Waukesha County. One of the plants they really enjoy is the Scarlet Sage. The stunning scarlet color and great nectar source make this plant a real hummer favorite. I took a few minutes today to photograph this adult female on a couple of the plants in action. Images were taken on August 30, 2015.
Binomial name: Archilochus colubris
Category: Hummingbirds
Description: Metallic green feathers on back, grayish-white on underparts. Males have a vibrant red throat which may appear dark in poor lighting. Wings are dark gray, almost black. Long, slender bill is black in color and mostly straight with a slight curve at the tip.
Size: 2.8″-3.5″ long, 3” – 4” wingspan
Weight: 0.071 oz. – 0.21 oz.
Habitat: Broadleaf and pine forests, orchards, meadows, parks, and gardens
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have been hanging around the yard this summer and the Cardinal Flower is always a favorite for them. Today I took a few pictures to share some of the excitement. This bird is a female, correct me if I am wrong. Images were taken on August 9, 2015 in Waukesha County.
Binomial name: Archilochus colubris
Category: Hummingbirds
Description: Metallic green feathers on back, grayish-white on underparts. Males have a vibrant red throat which may appear dark in poor lighting. Wings are dark gray, almost black. Long, slender bill is black in color and mostly straight with a slight curve at the tip.
Size: 2.8″-3.5″ long, 3” – 4” wingspan
Weight: 0.071 oz. – 0.21 oz.
Habitat: Broadleaf and pine forests, orchards, meadows, parks, and gardens
Diet: Tree and flower nectar, small insects, and spiders
Nesting: The female provides all parental care, building a nest in a protected tree or shrub on a slightly downward-sloping limb. They favor deciduous trees such as oak, birch, or poplar. The nest is made out of bud scales, lichen, spider silk, and dandelion or thistle down. The same nest may be used year after year with the female making annual repairs. The female will lay 1-3 eggs at a time, laying eggs once or twice per summer. The young remain in the nest for 22-25 days.
Notes: A list of just some of the of native wildflowers we have planted in our yard to attract these exquisite tiny birds are: Red Bee Balm (Monarda didyma), Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis), Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), Royal Catchfly (Silene regia), Butterfly Milkweed (Ascelpias tuberose), Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta), Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum), Penstemon species, Echinacea species.
A pair of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have been in the yard here since spring. I photographed this female early this afternoon in a bed of Red Bee Balm. This plant is a magnet for these birds. Images were taken on July 5, 2015.
Binomial name: Archilochus colubris
Category: Hummingbirds
Description: Metallic green feathers on back, grayish-white on underparts. Males have a vibrant red throat which may appear dark in poor lighting. Wings are dark gray, almost black. Long, slender bill is black in color and mostly straight with a slight curve at the tip.
Size: 2.8″-3.5″ long, 3” – 4” wingspan
Weight: 0.071 oz. – 0.21 oz.
Habitat: Broadleaf and pine forests, orchards, meadows, parks, and gardens
The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have been visiting the Bottle Gentian plants here. It is amazing how they go for the nectar in these wildflowers. In some situations they probe into the side of the blooms with their bill. At other times they go in from the top with their bill. In my observations, if one method is not possible, they go the other method. They have entered both ways on the bloom clusters weather the blooms are on the inside or outside in the cluster. We have had 3 Rudy-throated Hummingbirds, female, male and a young male, all 3 have hit these Bottle Gentian, Gentiana andrewsii plants. Images were taken in Waukesha Wisconsin September 6-10, 2014.
Binomial name: Archilochus colubris
Category: Hummingbirds
Description: Metallic green feathers on back, grayish-white on underparts. Males have a vibrant red throat which may appear dark in poor lighting. Wings are dark gray, almost black. Long, slender bill is black in color and mostly straight with a slight curve at the tip.
Size: 2.8″-3.5″ long, 3” – 4” wingspan
Weight: 0.071 oz. – 0.21 oz.
Habitat: Broadleaf and pine forests, orchards, meadows, parks, and gardens
Diet: Tree and flower nectar, small insects, and spiders
Nesting: The female provides all parental care, building a nest in a protected tree or shrub on a slightly downward-sloping limb. They favor deciduous trees such as oak, birch, or poplar. The nest is made out of bud scales, lichen, spider silk, and dandelion or thistle down. The same nest may be used year after year with the female making annual repairs. The female will lay 1-3 eggs at a time, laying eggs once or twice per summer. The young remain in the nest for 22-25 days.
Notes: A list of just some of the of native wildflowers we have planted in our yard to attract these exquisite tiny birds are: Red Bee Balm (Monarda didyma), Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis), Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), Royal Catchfly (Silene regia), Bottle Gentian (Gentiana andrewsii), Butterfly Milkweed (Ascelpias tuberose), Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta), Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum), Penstemon species, Echinacea species.
Some recent images taken in Waukesha Wisconsin of the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds on various plants. Images show a young male and adult female on the flower species Cardinal Flower, Yellow Giant Hyssop and Zinnia’s. Images were taken August 24 through September 4, 2014.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Cardinal Flower
Binomial name: Archilochus colubris
Category: Hummingbirds
Description: Metallic green feathers on back, grayish-white on underparts. Males have a vibrant red throat which may appear dark in poor lighting. Wings are dark gray, almost black. Long, slender bill is black in color and mostly straight with a slight curve at the tip.
Size: 2.8″-3.5″ long, 3” – 4” wingspan
Weight: 0.071 oz. – 0.21 oz.
Habitat: Broadleaf and pine forests, orchards, meadows, parks, and gardens
Diet: Tree and flower nectar, small insects, and spiders
Nesting: The female provides all parental care, building a nest in a protected tree or shrub on a slightly downward-sloping limb. They favor deciduous trees such as oak, birch, or poplar. The nest is made out of bud scales, lichen, spider silk, and dandelion or thistle down. The same nest may be used year after year with the female making annual repairs. The female will lay 1-3 eggs at a time, laying eggs once or twice per summer. The young remain in the nest for 22-25 days.
Notes: A list of just some of the of native wildflowers we have planted in our yard to attract these exquisite tiny birds are: Red Bee Balm (Monarda didyma), Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis), Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), Royal Catchfly (Silene regia), Butterfly Milkweed (Ascelpias tuberose), Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta), Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum), Penstemon species, Echinacea species.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female on Cardinal Flower
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female on Cardinal Flower
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female on Cardinal Flower
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female on Zinnia species
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Zinnia species
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Zinnia species
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Zinnia species
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female on Zinnia species
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, young male on Zinnia species with flying nectar!
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female over Zinnia species
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female on Zinnia species
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female on Zinnia species
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female on Zinnia species
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, male on Cardinal Flower
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female on Cardinal Flower
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, young male on Cardinal Flower
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female on Cardinal Flower
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female on Cardinal Flower
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female on Cardinal Flower
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, young male on Zinnia species
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, young male on Zinnia species
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female on Yellow Giant Hyssop
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female on Yellow Giant Hyssop
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female on Yellow Giant Hyssop
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female on Yellow Giant Hyssop
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female
Something I have never witnessed before was the Ruby-throated Hummingbird stopping for some nectar at this rare wildflower, Smooth Phlox, Phlox glaberrima interior. It was only a few seconds, but a beautiful moment at that. I assume this bird is a female adult. Photographs were taken on July 25, 2014.
Binomial name: Archilochus colubris
Category: Hummingbirds
Description: Metallic green feathers on back, grayish-white on underparts. Males have a vibrant red throat which may appear dark in poor lighting. Wings are dark gray, almost black. Long, slender bill is black in color and mostly straight with a slight curve at the tip.
Size: 2.8″-3.5″ long, 3” – 4” wingspan
Weight: 0.071 oz. – 0.21 oz.
Habitat: Broadleaf and pine forests, orchards, meadows, parks, and gardens
Diet: Tree and flower nectar, small insects, and spiders
Nesting: The female provides all parental care, building a nest in a protected tree or shrub on a slightly downward-sloping limb. They favor deciduous trees such as oak, birch, or poplar. The nest is made out of bud scales, lichen, spider silk, and dandelion or thistle down. The same nest may be used year after year with the female making annual repairs. The female will lay 1-3 eggs at a time, laying eggs once or twice per summer. The young remain in the nest for 22-25 days.
Notes: A list of just some of the of native wildflowers we have planted in our yard to attract these exquisite tiny birds are: Red Bee Balm (Monarda didyma), Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis), Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), Royal Catchfly (Silene regia), Butterfly Milkweed (Ascelpias tuberose), Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta), Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum), Penstemon species, Echinacea species.
I had the opportunity again to photograph the Ruby-throated Hummingbird enjoying Royal Catchfly (Silene regia). Present today was a female, male and young male, they only showed up one at a time. This fascinating species favor red tubular flowers most of all. Royal Catchfly, a native of Missouri, is an excellent candidate here. Photographs taken on July 23, 2014 in Waukesha County, Wisconsin.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female
Binomial name: Archilochus colubris
Category: Hummingbirds
Description: Metallic green feathers on back, grayish-white on underparts. Males have a vibrant red throat which may appear dark in poor lighting. Wings are dark gray, almost black. Long, slender bill is black in color and mostly straight with a slight curve at the tip.
Size: 2.8″-3.5″ long, 3” – 4” wingspan
Weight: 0.071 oz. – 0.21 oz.
Habitat: Broadleaf and pine forests, orchards, meadows, parks, and gardens
Diet: Tree and flower nectar, small insects, and spiders
Nesting: The female provides all parental care, building a nest in a protected tree or shrub on a slightly downward-sloping limb. They favor deciduous trees such as oak, birch, or poplar. The nest is made out of bud scales, lichen, spider silk, and dandelion or thistle down. The same nest may be used year after year with the female making annual repairs. The female will lay 1-3 eggs at a time, laying eggs once or twice per summer. The young remain in the nest for 22-25 days.
Notes: A list of just some of the of native wildflowers we have planted in our yard to attract these exquisite tiny birds are: Red Bee Balm (Monarda didyma), Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis), Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), Royal Catchfly (Silene regia), Butterfly Milkweed (Ascelpias tuberose), Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta), Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum), Penstemon species, Echinacea species.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, male
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, young male
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, young male
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female
I had the opportunity to photograph the Ruby-throated Hummingbird enjoying Royal Catchfly (Silene regia). I am assuming this is a female. This fascinating species favor red tubular flowers most of all. Royal Catchfly, a native of Missouri, is an excellent candidate here. Photographs taken on July 20, 2014 in Waukesha County, Wisconsin.
Binomial name: Archilochus colubris
Category: Hummingbirds
Description: Metallic green feathers on back, grayish-white on underparts. Males have a vibrant red throat which may appear dark in poor lighting. Wings are dark gray, almost black. Long, slender bill is black in color and mostly straight with a slight curve at the tip.
Size: 2.8″-3.5″ long, 3” – 4” wingspan
Weight: 0.071 oz. – 0.21 oz.
Habitat: Broadleaf and pine forests, orchards, meadows, parks, and gardens
Diet: Tree and flower nectar, small insects, and spiders
Nesting: The female provides all parental care, building a nest in a protected tree or shrub on a slightly downward-sloping limb. They favor deciduous trees such as oak, birch, or poplar. The nest is made out of bud scales, lichen, spider silk, and dandelion or thistle down. The same nest may be used year after year with the female making annual repairs. The female will lay 1-3 eggs at a time, laying eggs once or twice per summer. The young remain in the nest for 22-25 days.
Notes: A list of just some of the of native wildflowers we have planted in our yard to attract these exquisite tiny birds are: Red Bee Balm (Monarda didyma), Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis), Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), Royal Catchfly (Silene regia), Butterfly Milkweed (Ascelpias tuberose), Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta), Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum), Penstemon species, Echinacea species.
I did some birding at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee this morning. The highlight was a young male Ruby-throated Hummingbird working some native plants there. The Green Heron was also present along with the common Ring-billed and Herring Gulls. Beautiful day to be out birding with mild temps, sunshine and lows winds.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Hoary Vervain
Binomial name: Archilochus colubris
Category: Hummingbirds
Description: Metallic green feathers on back, grayish-white on underparts. Males have a vibrant red throat which may appear dark in poor lighting. Wings are dark gray, almost black. Long, slender bill is black in color and mostly straight with a slight curve at the tip.
Size: 2.8″-3.5″ long, 3” – 4” wingspan
Weight: 0.071 oz. – 0.21 oz.
Habitat: Broadleaf and pine forests, orchards, meadows, parks, and gardens
Diet: Tree and flower nectar, small insects, and spiders
Nesting: The female provides all parental care, building a nest in a protected tree or shrub on a slightly downward-sloping limb. They favor deciduous trees such as oak, birch, or poplar. The nest is made out of bud scales, lichen, spider silk, and dandelion or thistle down. The same nest may be used year after year with the female making annual repairs. The female will lay 1-3 eggs at a time, laying eggs once or twice per summer. The young remain in the nest for 22-25 days.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Hoary Vervain
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Hoary Vervain
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Hoary Vervain
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Hoary Vervain
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Hoary Vervain
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Wild White Indigo
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Penstemon spp.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Penstemon spp.
Leucistic Ruby-throated Hummingbird photographed in Waukesha County on September, 18 2013.
Binomial name: Archilochus colubris
Category: Hummingbirds
What is Leucism?
Leucism is an uncommon condition in birds. This condition is caused by a genetic mutation which prevents pigments, particularly melanin, from being deposited evenly in the bird’s feathers. Leucistic birds have melanin elsewhere in their bodies which is why they may have dark eyes, legs, and bills. However, their true color will be missing or greatly reduced due to the lack of proper pigmentation.
What is Albinism?
Leucism is similar to albinism as in both cases the birds may be completely white. However, albinism is defined as a complete absence of melanin in an animal. Truly albino species will have pink eyes as the only color seen will be caused by blood vessels behind their eyes. They will also have pink bills, legs, and feet. Albinism is extremely rare in birds.
Notes:
Leucistic birds are extremely uncommon for a number of reasons. They are not thought to live very long because their white feathers make it difficult for them to hide from predators. If they do stay alive, it is difficult for them to find a mate and successfully pass on their genetic mutation. Additionally, the melanin found in regular birds adds strength to the feathers. Leucistic birds lacking melanin have weaker feathers and thus have a more difficult time flying in severe weather. Last, the reflective properties of white feathers may be problematic for birds who rely on solar energy for heat.
To see Ruby-throated Hummingbirds without Leucism, please visit my posts featuring this bird on Red Bee Balm, Royal Catchfly and Cardinal Flower.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Cardinal Flower photos taken August 26th, 2013 in Waukesha County, WI.
