I've been watching and looking...

[Birdwatcher500]

I've been keeping a very close eye on my hummingbirds. I have taken one day after all my farm chores were done and went out to identify all of them I could. I observed eye markings, wing markings, and any other ID marks that would help me decide who was who during next years breeding season. I have identified 7 females, 6 males, and found later 13 juveniles from this year's nesting. It's very exciting and they are still here mostly. They will be leaving soon though. :gn: One of my favorites is Tasha, a new females from a pairing this year I think was Phil and Telly. I'm not sure if it was Telly or JoAnn, but Phil I saw with them. I love finding and watching the nests. If I get a response to this post I'll put up all the pairings I have so far, some notes I took, plus the list of birds in my ID book right now. Since the hummers are something I can watch EVERY day, I keep detailed records and notes on their lives. Comments and questions would be appreciated! ;)
Thanks!

[SesG]

I think it is cute that you have named some of the Hummingbirds there. What species do you have?

[Birdwatcher500]

I have mostly Ruby-troated, but some Black-chinned and a few assorted breeds. I try to name all new ones, but I have 2 Unamed males from a brrod this year. 1 I think will be Phil Jr., he is just like his daddy, but his brother I'm not sure about! LOL. I know, I'm weird!!!

[Birdwatcher500]

OH, and BTW, I'll post the list I have so far of my Ruby-throated hummers and all tomorrow.

[kp1219]

What is your favoriate hummingbird plant in your yard that attract ruby for the most part.



I've been keeping a very close eye on my hummingbirds. I have taken one day after all my farm chores were done and went out to identify all of them I could. I observed eye markings, wing markings, and any other ID marks that would help me decide who was who during next years breeding season. I have identified 7 females, 6 males, and found later 13 juveniles from this year's nesting. It's very exciting and they are still here mostly. They will be leaving soon though. :gn: One of my favorites is Tasha, a new females from a pairing this year I think was Phil and Telly. I'm not sure if it was Telly or JoAnn, but Phil I saw with them. I love finding and watching the nests. If I get a response to this post I'll put up all the pairings I have so far, some notes I took, plus the list of birds in my ID book right now. Since the hummers are something I can watch EVERY day, I keep detailed records and notes on their lives. Comments and questions would be appreciated! ;)
Thanks!

[kp1219]

What is your favorite plant or do you just have feeders.

[Curtis Croulet]

My wife gave the name Ivan to one of our resident male Anna's, as in Ivan the Terrible. A couple of years ago we had Manny, Moe and Jack. For a few days last week we had a male Costa's very closely guarding one of the feeders, so I called him Vlad, as in Vlad the Impaler.

[Birdwatcher500]

We have plants and feeders, but I'm really not sure on plants as far as favorites go.

[wings]

I have named my resident Anna's Humphrey the Hummer. Or maybe he should be named Bumphrey the Hummer, since he has a bump of hardened pollen and nectar at the base of his bill that gives him a distinctive identification mark.

[Birdwatcher500]

Cool! I love hummers. WEe still have a few hanging around. I was glad to find that Ariel, a female hummer I saw before BS (breeding season) started, was OK. I hadn't seen her even after the eggs should have hatched, and began to get worried. The other hummers took advantage of her absense, because she is very aggressive about the feeders! ;)