|
|
Post by laurie on Apr 29, 2014 8:34:42 GMT -5
I saw this male out my bedroom window about 8 am today, visiting my Watsonia blossoms. (Watsonia are related to gladiolus, also tall but with much smaller flowers.)
When I went to general bird sites, they said this bird was found out west. Is it rare to find a black chin here?
My window faces south with no shade till late in the day. Is it an appropriate place for a hummer feeder? Or better the studio window on the north side of the house?
What kind of feeder attracts the most hummers? What do they like to find in the feeder?
I have planted lots of kinds of flower seeds, but so far the plants are an inch tall....
|
|
|
|
Post by Joe M on Apr 29, 2014 15:22:18 GMT -5
Laurie,
Somewhat difficult to give you advise without knowing your location?
The hummer your seeing in all probability is a male Ruby-throated that you are seeing in imperfect light conditions. Ruby-throated's throats often appear to be black depending on the angle of view and lighting conditions.
A "true" Black-chinned hummingbird would be a million to one possibility at this time of the year. A western bird that only visits Fl (primarily the FL panhandle) in Dec, Jan, Feb.
Hummingbirds only like to find a flower "nectar substitute" in a feeder. One part granulated cane sugar to four parts water in solution. DO NOT! try any other other sugar substitutes as they most probably will be leathal to the hummers. NO honey, NO sugar substites, or any thing that is NOT plain granulated cane sugar dissolved in water!
I choose feeders that are easy to clean which MUST be done at least every other week but the solution must be replaced at least weekly in FL. The high temperatures we have induce the growth of mold which is also fatal to hummers if they ingest it. If you are not dedicated to to monitoring your feeders on a weekly basis or more often if you have a feeder exposed to direct sunlight for most of the day, I suggest you refrain from feeders and stick to humingbird friendly plants.
Hope my meandering comments help and that you enjoy our little hummingbird jewels we are fortunate to have visit our yards.
Joe M.
Lakeland
|
|
|
|
Post by Steve Backes on Apr 29, 2014 20:58:27 GMT -5
laurie,
Black-chinneds do occur in Florida and may remain into April but that would be very uncommon. And, it is very late in April. My first question would be how you identified it as a Black-chinned. Ruby-throateds are the expected species throughout Florida this time of year. Their red throat can look black if the light is not reflecting at the right angle. The purple band along the bottom of the black gorget would need to be seen to be confident with an id of Black-chinned Hummingbird.
Steve
|
|
|
|
Post by laurie on Apr 29, 2014 21:55:59 GMT -5
The subject line says where, in Alachua. Sorry, guess I should have included that in the body also.
Actually we're on the borderline between Alachua and High Springs.
I identified him based on your Species photos. He seemed intent on my flowers, and stayed about two minutes by the clock.
He had a distinct, crisp white collar or ring that divided the dark or black of the neck and head from the somewhat dull green of the body. The ring was complete and continuous. He was backlit, so if the lower edge of the black was edged in iridescent purple, I could not tell. It all looked black above the ring, or extremely dark. As he moved around the flower spikes, I saw him head-on and from the side.
When I looked at your photos, the black chinned was the only one I saw that had that kind of clear, clean white band all the way around the neck. Did I miss any that had a collar and a black head? I am familiar with ruby throats but had never seen a ruby throat with that bright white collar.
When we partially cleared our 11 acres for the sheep, we left a greenbelt. We see fox squirrels and pileated woodpeckers, broad shouldered hawks, wild turkeys, and a lot of other species.
I was a technical writer for 30 years, and am inclined by instinct and training to accurately describe what I saw, to the extent I can.
My neighbor in NC had a hummer feeder and had told me how important the cane sugar is. I think I will put the feeder outside the studio window on the north side of the house; the hope of seeing hummers will motivate me to get back to work.
|
|
|
|
Post by Steve Backes on Apr 30, 2014 6:08:37 GMT -5
I don't want to sound like I'm insisting that it can't be a Black-chinned, but as I said before, they are uncommon and it is late in the season. I did have one in my yard for three weeks through April 15th. We're only two weeks past that date.
Hummingbird coloration can vary in many ways, especially when birds are molting or feathers are worn, and a few photos can't catch every view. The Black-chinned and Ruby-throat are essentially the same bird with the exception of the adult male's gorget. There are some minor differences including the shape of a few individual feathers, length and shape of bill, and habits but these are not good field marks for identification.
The white band on the neck is not a field mark for distinguishing these two species. The difference in that band in the two photos may be that one is sitting while the other is hovering with its neck stretched out. It may be that the lighting is giving a lighter look to the back of the bird which makes the white on the throat stand out more.
I'm not comfortable identifying an adult male Black-chinned until the purple is clearly observed. I've seen too many Ruby-throateds that never showed its red. Young birds and female Black-chinneds are even harder to distinguish in the field. The tip of the outer wing feather needs to be seen clearly to determiner its shape. The Black-chinned will have a broad blunt tip while the Ruby-throat's feather tapers to a narrow point.
Again, I'm not saying that you can't be seeing a Black-chinned. I'm just saying that I'm very cautious in recording one before I see the purple of its gorget.
|
|
|
|
Post by Joe M on Apr 30, 2014 11:40:57 GMT -5
Laurie, Missed the Alachua location sorry! Viewing hummers and noting key ID features poses problems! Lighting and the viewing angle to name just a couple, plus they are tiny and often we only get a very brief look.  Black-chined?  2 tenths of a sec. later he becomes a Ruby-throated, even the camera gets fooled Joe M. Lakeland |
|
|
|
Post by laurie on May 1, 2014 9:27:49 GMT -5
He was back this morning. Just for a few seconds, and then a dozen sheep rocketing past must have scared him. Their hooves do thunder when they run.
This time I saw him come from the east end of the house.
It's overcast (was sunnier before). Still looks black above the collar, but as a jeweler, I know how tricky iridescence can be. The eBay sellers amaze me with their ability to find the only angle from which bright light can bring out some adularescence and make a plain stone look good enough to set. Till it arrives and it takes forever to find the angle that made it look good.
Last time I saw my mystery hummer he was facing towards me and to my left and my right as he moved to reach the throats of different blossoms, and saw no color but black above the white collar. I would need to be closer to discern purple edging on black.
Maybe if he is lost or off course, he will come back again, since he likes my flowers. I will look for something that would support my small feeder at the right height outside that window.
I should sleep on the window side of the bed to be closer in case he comes back.
|
|
|
|
Post by Steve Backes on May 1, 2014 18:59:42 GMT -5
Another thing to look for is how often it pumps its tail when in flight. The Black-chinned will pump continuously while the Ruby-throated may hold it still. Ruby-throateds may pump a lot when agitated but will most likely eventually hold it flat while feeding or hovering.
|
|
|
|
Post by laurie on May 2, 2014 10:44:10 GMT -5
The reason I did not report on length or shape of his tail was because he kept it in motion. Hard to see.
|
|
