Valrico Rufous Hummingbirds 2012-13

[Steve Backes]

I discovered a young female Rufous in my yard on October 31st. She was hard to find for the first week and a half but has been aggressively defending territory the past few days. I've not been able to get any good photos of her as she was very skittish. She's getting easier to approach as hummingbird activity has picked up but this is still the best I've been able to get through a dirty window.



Yesterday, I came home from the dentist and found the Rufous just sitting on a feeder, not moving. I assumed it was the female until I realized that I could see her sitting in the sour orange tree. I eventually was able to observe the second Rufous well enough to identify her as another female. I found her sitting in a shrimp plant patch this morning. She appears to have claimed this as her territory. I was able to take this picture of her.



While a friend was trying to get good photos of the first bird, we were buzzed by a chase that included a Rufous. I followed that chase into the row of citrus along the back of the yard. I found another Rufous. This one was a young male. He was very cooperative.



That's at least 3 Rufous Hummingbirds in the yard today, possibly more. I also saw at least 3 young male Ruby-throateds.

[Steve Backes]

Looks like my "male" is actually a female making it at least 3 young female Rufous in the yard this winter.



I thought I saw an adult female Rufous in the yard a week or so ago. I've seen her a few times but finally got a good enough look to be sure she is an adult. She was chasing the young bird in the picture above. They finally rested a few feet apart in a crepe myrtle. Unfortunately, I didn't have my good camera so I couldn't document her gorget pattern.



Steve

[Steve Backes]

The three Rufous are still in my yard. They have been harder to find for the past week. I'm sure they're building fat in preparation for their journey north(west). They're eating and sitting. Trying not to waste energy on a chase. I've not had a Rufous remain in my yard past March 15th in previous years so I'm sure they'll all be leaving soon.