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Post by moboston on Mar 25, 2014 17:23:30 GMT -5
Someone in another thread stated about it being too late to see immature birds. Well, I am not sure if this is the same one I saw last weekend that only had a small ring around his lower edge of gorget or not. If it is the same one, then he is getting color pretty fast. He looked pretty pitiful this morning. It had been raining and he was sitting on the Wisteria vine preening himself. I will try to load 3 pics if I can get them all here. |
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Post by Joe M on Mar 26, 2014 8:49:11 GMT -5
'Moboston
I don't think that is a bird fledged last year. Looks more like an older hummer that is completing his gorget molt.
BTW.... As of this morning it appears that all my overwintering hummers have left. The last two I had yesterday have not been seen this morning and its pretty chilly in my yard, would have expected them to spend a day or two more here before heading north.
Joe M.
Lakeland
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Post by moboston on Mar 26, 2014 9:27:39 GMT -5
Joe, can you explain your reasoning as to why you think its an older bird? why would he have any white in the gorget? Wouldn't it be all dark?
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Post by Joe M on Mar 27, 2014 7:26:19 GMT -5
Joe, can you explain your reasoning as to why you think its an older bird? why would he have any white in the gorget? Wouldn't it be all dark? I believe the white you are noting is the sheaths that encase his emerging new, fresh red gorget feathers. The sheath will fall off and the feather will literally pop open. Also his tail feathers show no white tipping which many 1st year birds still have this time of the year. Belly is also pretty dark and looks more like and older bird than an after hatch year bird. Here is another photo I took yesterday of an adult male that is finishing up his molt!  |
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Post by moboston on Mar 27, 2014 18:50:09 GMT -5
Okay Joe, Thanks for the explanation of the white under the gorget. Now tell me if the bird from today is the same one as in the above picture. This one doesn't seem to have as much of a tail but maybe its the angle the pic was taken. Of course I know the one sitting at the feeder is a different bird - an adult male that looks like he is finished molting. Attachments:
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Post by moboston on Mar 27, 2014 18:52:33 GMT -5
Last pic was too big = here it is Attachments:
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Post by Joe M on Mar 28, 2014 15:10:37 GMT -5
Last pic was too big = here it is This adult male hummer appears to have a fully developed gorget. Does't appear to be the same hummer that you posted photos of earlier. Joe M. Lakeland |
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