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Post by gatorjoe on Nov 26, 2013 11:29:31 GMT -5
We had what I believe is a female RT show up last week. This is the latest we have seen a hummingbird ever in our yard, most are gone by Oct1st. I am not sure if it is a ruby throated, being female it is hard for me to tell. Is there a trait that would make it easier to tell if it is a Ruby throated or another type.
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Beau
New Member
Posts: 34 
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Post by Beau on Nov 26, 2013 16:27:43 GMT -5
gator joe, if the tail feather tips are white most definitely female. all rt have emerald green backs
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Post by gatorjoe on Nov 26, 2013 17:28:59 GMT -5
Yes I know it is female, I was questioning whether it a RT or another type that is not common in Florida.A lot of the females look similar to one another.
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Post by Steve Backes on Nov 26, 2013 20:11:18 GMT -5
It's not impossible to have a wintering hummingbird in Lecanto. Ruby-throated is the most likely species to winter anywhere in Florida but others are possible. It's probably either a female or young male (which typically look very similar). If it's green above and light below it's probably a Ruby-throated but could be a Black-chinned. Black-chinneds are usually a bit duller with a grayer head, the bill may appear larger and slightly down curved, and they constantly pump their tails in flight. Rufous or Allen's will show rufous coloration on their flanks and tail.
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Post by gatorjoe on Nov 26, 2013 21:17:11 GMT -5
Thanks Steve,I am sure it's a female but was not sure if it could have been something other then a RT. I think is probably a RT but I had a small amount of doubt. I will give her a closer look tomorrow.
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Post by Rowdy on Nov 27, 2013 16:22:01 GMT -5
Yes I know it is female, I was questioning whether it a RT or another type that is not common in Florida.A lot of the females look similar to one another. good pair of binoculars and you can tell all species apart including females. ( experience) |
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Post by Joe M on Nov 28, 2013 10:25:52 GMT -5
Yes I know it is female, I was questioning whether it a RT or another type that is not common in Florida.A lot of the females look similar to one another. 'Gatojoe, Here are some good pics of a black-chinned taken in PA a couple of weeks ago. Note the duller green colloration which Steve mentioned and also note the tips of his primaries. They tend to be very blunt with significant curvature. Ruby-throated primaries are quite pointed in comparison. www.flickr.com/photos/gblkrum1/10950667363/in/photostream/Joe M. Lakeland |
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Post by gatorjoe on Nov 28, 2013 20:05:59 GMT -5
Thanks for all the feedback. I believe it is a female RT, hope it stays for the winter, it will be interesting to see if she sticks around after the 32 degree temperatures this morning.
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Post by gatorjoe on Mar 18, 2014 9:13:11 GMT -5
The female RT is still here and I just saw a male chasing her and then flying a U shape pattern to try to impress her.
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Post by gatorjoe on Apr 9, 2014 20:26:29 GMT -5
I have at least 2 females and 1 male RT Hummers in my yard at this time. I saw a male flying U's again trying to impress a female today
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Post by gatorjoe on Apr 28, 2014 20:44:12 GMT -5
I saw 2 males chasing each other around today and also saw a female. That was the first time I have seen a female in a couple of weeks. I am really not sure how many birds we have in the yard at this time.
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Post by gatorjoe on Jul 26, 2014 15:17:42 GMT -5
I saw a hummingbird chasing a sparrow today. This was the first time I have seen a RT Hummingbird chasing a bird other then another hummingbird.
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Post by Joe M on Jul 26, 2014 16:32:10 GMT -5
I saw a hummingbird chasing a sparrow today. This was the first time I have seen a RT Hummingbird chasing a bird other then another hummingbird. Not unusual to see Hummers expressing their disapproval of other birds in "their territory". Not often witnessed by many folks! Hummers can often be big time agitators in their interactions with other species of birds. Joe M. |
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Post by gatorjoe on Jul 26, 2014 18:42:38 GMT -5
Just saw a ruckus in the same area, as many 4 or 5 titmouse and 1 hummingbird not happy about it. The Hummingbird was voicing his displeasure!
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Post by gatorjoe on Aug 25, 2014 21:47:02 GMT -5
My wife saw quite a turf war going on this evening. We have a juvenile male and a female that have been in our yard for a couple of months. This was the most violent disagreement she has witnessed,they actually make physical contact a couple of times along with a lot of acrobatics. The whole disagreement lasted over a minute and the bird that stayed fumed and chattered for a couple more minutes. I was really surprised that the birds actually made physical contact.
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Post by gatorjoe on Sept 16, 2014 2:23:25 GMT -5
We currently have 3 juvenile male RT hummingbirds, they have been very active. We watched 2 juvenile males tussling over a firespike for well over 15 minutes. I was able to ease up to the firespike and stand about a foot from the bush and watch them. This did not phase them one bit, they were flying around my head chasing each other and at the same time feeding on the firespike. At one point I thought one was going to land on my head but he changed his mind.
This was a great experience and the first time I have been that close to them for such a long period of time, I am hoping for a repeat performance from them one of these days.
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Post by gatorjoe on Sept 17, 2014 10:01:44 GMT -5
Add a female to the list above,up to 4 Hummingbirds now. There may be more but I have identified 4.
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Post by gatorjoe on Sept 25, 2014 0:01:10 GMT -5
Migration seems to be going full bore. Lat week I had 1 female and 4 juvenile males. Today from what I could tell, I have 3 females and 2 juvenile males. The action is hot and heavy, I have spend at least an hour a day watching the interaction between the birds. Some of the birds have been quite agitated with me for sitting in there areas and have voiced their displeasure to me. One actually hoovered about 6 inches over my head a couple of times chattering away.
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Post by gatorjoe on Oct 8, 2014 20:30:03 GMT -5
Just an update and a question, at the present time we only have 2 hummingbirds as far as I can tell. One is a female which I believe has been around for a long time and an adult male that just showed up in the last week or so. Unlike the birds we had in the yard in September, these 2 are pretty shy. This may be because I have six feeders out plus an acre of blooming plants.
The question I have for Steve or Joe M., at what time can I feel pretty good that these birds will over-winter here? How late will they still migrate to Central America?Last year we had one female over- winter in our yard.
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Post by Steve Backes on Oct 8, 2014 22:26:45 GMT -5
Joe,
I would guess that if they're still around by the end of October that they will be spending the winter in Florida. Usually, with an adequate food source, they'll stay where they are but I've had birds leave for unknown reasons. Food loss or competition for food and perches may cause a bird to leave.
The two birds are "shy" because they are happy with their territories and are not being invaded by any new birds. They've come to terms with each other on territorial boundaries so all they need to do is sit all day watching their territory and eat every half hour or so. If a new bird enters your yard, the chases will begin again.
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Post by gatorjoe on Oct 9, 2014 0:51:09 GMT -5
Thanks Steve, hopefully they are here for the winter!
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Post by Dona on Oct 29, 2014 13:53:07 GMT -5
Hello,
I live in Jacksonville not far from the beach. I took my feeders down in late September, as every source I could find said they left the area by then, and I hadn't noticed any activity.
Today, I could have sworn I saw a female hummer (RT) in the back yard. (Oh no! I haven't had any feeders up!)
Could they possibly still be here? (Should I put a feeder back up?)
Thank you!
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Post by gatorjoe on Oct 30, 2014 4:51:00 GMT -5
Yes Dona I would put at least one feeder back up. The hummingbird may stay for the winter and will need the nourishment from the feeder when winter sets in. Most if not all of the flowers they feed on will die back when the temp. goes below 32 degrees.
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Post by gatorjoe on Nov 3, 2014 1:38:49 GMT -5
I have 2 female Rubythroated HB's at this time. I believe one is probably the same bird that over wintered in my yard last year. Hopefully my over wintering HB population has doubled this year.
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