Current Topic: Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds of Costa Rica

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Earlier this month, I wrote a post about my trip to Costa Rica. The post has a ton of photos on it – probably the most that I have ever included in one single post. If I included the Hummingbirds, it would have had a ton more, so I decided to create a post specifically for them.

I saw many hummingbirds throughout the trip, but my closest encounters were at Monteverde Cloud Forest at their sugar-water feeders. It was almost like cheating, but it was a great experience to have so many new hummingbirds so close. I saw eight species here. It was raining, so photography was tough on the moving birds. I did manage to get some photos though!

Green-crowned Brilliant

Female Green-crowned Brilliant, Monteverde Cloud Forest

Green-crowned Brilliant

Green-crowned Brilliant, Monteverde Cloud Forest

Green-crowned Brilliant

Young Green-crowned Brilliant, Monteverde Cloud Forest

Purple-throated Mountain Gem

Purple-throated Mountain Gem, Monteverde Cloud Forest

I was extremely excited to get close-ups of one of my target birds, the Violet Sabrewing. What a gorgeous bird!

Violet Sabrewing

Violet Sabrewing, Monteverde Cloud Forest

Violet Sabrewing

Violet Sabrewing, Monteverde Cloud Forest

Violet Sabrewing, Monteverde Cloud Forest

Violet Sabrewing, Monteverde Cloud Forest

I do not prefer feeder shots, but I’ll take what I can get when it comes to new birds. Some of these are the only doc shots I was able to manage of some of the species, so they are not that great.

Purple-throated Mountain Gem

Male and female Purple-throated Mountain Gem, Monteverde Cloud Forest

Purple-throated Mountain Gem

Female Purple-throated Mountain Gem, Monteverde Cloud Forest

Purple-throated Mountain Gem

Purple-throated Mountain Gem, Monteverde Cloud Forest

Coppery-headed Emerald

Coppery-headed Emerald, Purple-throated Mountain Gems, Green Violetear, Monteverde Cloud Forest

Green Hermit

Green Hermit, Monteverde Cloud Forest

Stripe-tailed Hummingbird

Stripe-tailed Hummingbird, Monteverde Cloud Forest

While out in the forest, we located a Purple-throated Mountain Gem incubating some eggs.

Purple-throated Mountain Gem

Purple-throated Mountain Gem on nest, Monteverde Cloud Forest

Other close-up viewing, again, happened at hummingbird feeders. These ones were on the property of the Trogon Lodge in San Gerardo de Dota.

Green Violetear

Green Violetear with a Magnificent Hummingbird in the foreground, San Gerardo de Dota

Magnificent Hummingbird

White-throated Mountain Gem and Magnificent Hummingbird, San Gerardo de Dota

White-throated Mountain Gem

Female White-throated Mountain Gem, San Gerardo de Dota

Green Violetear

Green Violetear dualing with a Magnificent Hummingbird, San Gerardo de Dota

I was able to get some photos around on other parts of the property.

Green Violetear

Green Violetear, San Gerardo de Dota

Green Violetear

Green Violetear, San Gerardo de Dota

Magnificent Hummingbird

Magnificent Hummingbird, San Gerardo de Dota

Magnificent Hummingbird

Magnificent Hummingbird, San Gerardo de Dota

White-throated Mountain Gem

White-throated Mountain Gem, San Gerardo de Dota

I was especially excited to see the Volcano Hummingbird. This tiny bird is endemic to the Talamanca Mountains.

Volcano Hummingbird

Volcano Hummingbird, San Gerardo de Dota

Volcano Hummingbird

Volcano Hummingbird, San Gerardo de Dota

Volcano Hummingbird

Female Volcano Hummingbird, San Gerardo de Dota

In La Fortuna, I had plenty of good looks at the Rufous-tailed Hummingbird around the property of the Arenal Observatory Lodge.

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Arenal Observatory Lodge

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Arenal Observatory Lodge

I also caught glimpse of a unique hummingbird while at the volcano.

Stripe-throated Hermit

Stripe-throated Hermit, Arenal Volcano

Other hummingbirds were seen in Corcovado during various hikes.

Violet-crowned Woodnymph

Violet-crowned Woodnymph, Corcovado National Park, Osa Peninsula

Blue-throated Goldentail

Blue-throated Goldentail, Corcovado National Park, Osa Peninsula

Charming Hummingbird

Charming Hummingbird, Corcovado National Park, Osa Peninsula

This trip marked the first time I saw hummingbirds other than my local Ruby-throated. In total, I saw a total of 16 species of hummingbirds during the trip – obviously, every single one of them was a life bird!

More Birds in Hand

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Last month, I shared some photos from a private bird banding that I watched. A couple of weeks later, I went to another one on both a Sunday and Saturday morning. It’s always nice to see birds up close! More cool birds were seen, but once again, the species who was caught the most were Gray Catbirds.

Gray Catbird

Gray Catbird not having a good time

Catbirds are always fussy, but other birds just want to bite down on something.

Northern Cardinal

This Northern Cardinal needed something to grab on.

We caught a couple of Lincoln’s Sparrows – it was nice to see this bird up close!

Lincoln's Sparrow

One of the target birds, a Lincoln’s Sparrow

Many of the birds were not in breeding plumage, but they are still beautiful!

Scarlet Tanager

Male Scarlet Tanager in non-breeding plumage.

American Redstart

A young male American Redstart

Indigo Bunting

Indigo Bunting in non-breeding plumage

Magnolia Warbler

Magnolia Warbler in hand

Yellow Warbler

Yellow Warbler brightened up the morning

We caught males and females of a couple of birds for comparison.

Eastern Towhee

Male Eastern Towhee

Eastern Towhee

Female Eastern Towhee

Common Yellowthroat

Male Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroat

Female Common Yellowthroat

And accidentally caught a Hummingbird in the net. This one was not banded, so she was let go right away.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird before release

We also had a Praying Mantis hanging out with us on Saturday.

Praying Mantis

This Praying Mantis hung out with us

Sorry for not being so wordy in my post, I’d rather focus on the photo then the text!

Spring 2014 Yard Bird Explosion

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If I were to describe this year’s spring migration in one word, it would be “outstanding.” Especially in my very own yard. Within a couple of months, my yard bird list went from below forty to over eighty – EIGHTY – species of birds (84 to be exact, and 80 total in 2014 so far). All of these birds were either seen or heard from my house – not from acres of land, but from either one of my decks on my [less than] .4 acres of property. This far exceeded my expectations – especially after leaving such a great hotspot in New York. As of today, I have 15 species of birds on my PA yard list that I did not have on my NY yard list and I am a little over 20 species away in matching my NY list, which had a final count of 106 over three years.

This spring marked the return of breeding birds that grace many people’s backyards such as Baltimore Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and our tiny Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. The Hummingbirds continue to visit daily.

Baltimore Oriole

Baltimore Oriole chattering at me from my deck

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Adult male Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Female Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

One of my female Ruby-throated Hummingbirds

These were expected yard birds; the unexpected birds came in waves – very large waves. And they kept on coming. The best part is that there were no leaves on the trees, so I could actually SEE the birds. Many of them even came close enough to my deck for photo ops.

One of my most common migrant visitors were Black-throated Green Warblers. I had them singing for a few weeks before they completely moved on.

Black-throated Green Warbler

Black-throated Green Warblers were very common during migration

Yellow-rumped Warblers were my other most common migrant. I could see them at any time of the day foraging high and low, near and far. They were everywhere!

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler at eye level

My best Warbler surprises were Blackburnian males and tons of Northern Parulas. I even had a surprise Canada Warbler singing from further in the woods.

Blackburnian Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler, right after he perched about 5 feet away from me (no, I did not get a photo of THAT)

Other Warblers included American Redstarts, Ovenbirds, Bay-breasted, Black-and-white, Black-throated Blue, Blackpoll, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Nashville, Palm, and Pine Warblers.

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Male Black-throated Blue Warbler, after leaves came in

During this migration madness, I had an addition built onto my house – a large deck that comes off of my renovated porch (now sunroom). I was able to enjoy the birds at eye level from this deck and my (already existing) balcony.

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager at eye level from my deck

In fact, some days, I did not need the extra elevation because the birds seemed to prefer to feed down low. I had at least four male Scarlet Tanagers feeding on the ground at once, along with a few females. This is a bird that is usually seen high up in the tree tops. What a treat!

One of at least four Scarlet Tanager foraging on the ground

One of at least four male Scarlet Tanagers foraging on the ground

Now that migration has slowed down, I have other breeders who sing every day. This includes the very first bird that I heard in my yard before I actually owned it last June – the Eastern Wood-Pewee.

Eastern Wood-Pewee

The Eastern Wood-Pewee was technically my first yard bird

Another bird that I hear throughout the day is also a flycatcher who sing early with the Robins and are calling as late as 9PM! Great Crested Flycatchers are fun to watch. I often see the local pair hawking insects together.

Great Crested Flycatcher

I love hearing Great Crested Flycatchers calling all day

Red-eyed Vireo and Wood Thrushes continue to serenade me with their songs, just as they did in New York. I love hearing both of them!

Red-eyed Vireo

Red-eyed Vireo at eye level from my deck

Some other notable migrants that I’ve had are Indigo Buntings, Willow Flycatchers, Eastern Kingbirds, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, both Kinglets, Hermit and Swainson’s Thrushes (I finally heard the Swainson’s sing!), Blue-headed and Yellow-throated Vireos, Cedar Waxwings, Common Ravens, Osprey and Broad-winged Hawks. Oh! And how can I forget my most recent yard bird, the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, who I heard calling multiple mornings!

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

This Yellow-billed Cuckoo was not my yard bird, but I wanted to show it anyway!

Migration was awesome this year. I hope that this sets the tone for what my yard will be like every spring. In New York, I only had a good fall migrations – it was nice getting the spring colors and songs. Too bad peak migration only lasts about a month – I already miss waking up to the songs of Blackburnians, Parulas, Black-throated Greens…

Northern Parula

This Northern Parula serenaded me with his beautiful song

My Secret to Perched Hummingbird Photos

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One bird who I never thought I would get nice photos of perched and away from feeders was the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. They are so fast and tend to disappear into the trees when they are done feeding. Sure, it was fairly easy to get them in a photo that had a feeder in it, but nothing about that looks natural at all. My secret is to use fallen branches around my bird feeders.

In 2011, I had the Hummingbird feeder hanging from a branch that was attached to my poles. It provided the perfect perch – and the perfect photo opportunities.

Hummingbird feeder set up 2011

Hummingbird feeder set up 2011

Later in the summer, the Hummingbirds were so busy feeding that they did not mind me standing nearby and snapping away while they got ready to feed. You could never guess by these photos that the feeder is so close.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Hummingbird from 2011

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Hummingbird from 2011

This year, I have the feeder in a different location, closer to my deck so that it is always in the shade. I got the bright idea to attach a branch to the end of these poles when I started to work outside more. I took a photo of the set-up this morning with my iPhone. Just as I was about to take the photo, while standing within feet of the feeder, one of my guests flew in (look toward the right on the branches).

Hummingbird feeder set up 2013

Hummingbird feeder set up 2013

Now I can get closer – and the feeder is also closer to a tree so that the Hummingbirds can fly for cover if needed. They typically perch on the open branch before feeding and go to the tree after.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird male

Ruby-throated Hummingbird male

I am extremely satisfied with the results of this set up! These are only two of the successful photos I was able to get yesterday as the sun was going down. The light was a bit dark, but it was even and the closeness helped me get so many great photos!

Ruby-throated Hummingbird female

Ruby-throated Hummingbird female

Ruby-throated Hummingbird female

Ruby-throated Hummingbird female

I also get photos of the Hummingbirds in my closest tree since it is right next to my upper deck, but not everyone has this same convenience!

Ruby-throated Hummingbird in the tree next to my deck

Ruby-throated Hummingbird in the tree next to my deck

Comparing the above photo – can you even tell that the first two were taken on a lone branch rather than on an actual tree??

Tips on feeding Hummingbirds

There is no need to buy a pre-made Hummingbird mixture – all you need are two very cheap ingredients: water and sugar. Use 1-part sugar for every 4-parts of water; for example, I make two cups of water and mix in 1/2 cup of sugar (or a 1/4 cup of sugar for every cup of water).

Here is how I prepare it:

  1. Bring the water to a boil and remove from the heat.
  2. Immediately add the sugar and mix until it is completely dissolved.
  3. Cover and allow to cool
  4. Add to the Hummingbird feeders in small portions and put the rest away in the refrigerator. I store mine in a water bottle.
  5. Replace the mixture in the feeders every one to three days – depending on the temperature (if it is 90+ degrees, I replace every day).

Do not use artificial sweeteners, honey, Jell-O or brown sugar – stick with table sugar. There is no need to use food coloring – your feeder should be bright enough to attract your guest. Try not to place in the direct sun so that the mixture lasts longer. Remember that sugar water will get moldy if it sits for too long – even the batch in your refrigerator should last no more than two weeks.

Want more tips? Check out Allaboutbirds.org.

Fall Migration Begins – Some Early Migrants

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The weather has been beautiful all week in my area and I have been taking full advantage of it by setting up my office outside on my covered deck. This gives me a fantastic view of my backyard and feeders.

My set up from this past week. Complete with a Chickadee.

My set up from this past week. Complete with a Chickadee.

The biggest action have been the Hummingbirds. I currently only have one feeder, but this should change soon because the little fellas are constantly battling over it. I have at least two adult males, two females and one young male.

Young male Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Young male Ruby-throated Hummingbird

I always hear them chattering back and forth and at other birds, but they are so fast that I hardly have any good photos to show for it.

A dual between Hummingbirds

A dual between Hummingbirds

My earliest migrants are the same as last year – the American Redstarts. I also had a Chestnut-sided and Yellow Warbler visit early on, along with many Red-eyed Vireos.

American Redstart

American Redstart

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Chestnut-sided Warbler from last year

My biggest surprise migrant was a new bird for me – a Black-billed Cuckoo! After seeing nothing out of the ordinary during my usual walk along my creek and around through my woods, I noticed a “different” bird fly into the trees as I was nearing my yard. I put my binoculars up and had an initial thought of what it could be. I took a couple of [bad] photos to confirm that it was indeed a young Black-billed Cuckoo. Life bird!!

Yesterday, while photographing Hummingbirds, a couple of House Finches flew onto my nearest branches with a yellow bird. At first, I dismissed it for a Goldfinch but should have known better! I realized that it was a Warbler when it flew into my tree. Thankfully, I was able to see it again in the open – a Prairie Warbler! My first “visual” of one this year. Before this, I’ve only heard them in the spring.

Prairie Warbler

Prairie Warbler

In the previous years, I had some great visitors and I am hoping for the same good turn out – or maybe even some new yard birds?

Cape May Warbler

Cape May Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler

The Comedic Sunning Bird

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Have you ever caught a bird basking in the sun? They tend to let loose like no one is watching. Feathers spread, bills wide open, wings and tails stretched out… Today’s post will be a short, comical one showing some birds who I caught looking their silliest.

Many birds find my feeder polls to be a nice spot to get some sun.

Blue Jay

Blue Jay

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Common Grackle

Common Grackle

Others are really attracted to my shed, especially the roof.

Eastern Phoebe

Eastern Phoebe

Dark-eyed Junco

Dark-eyed Junco – notice the wing shadow

The branches on my feeders are also out in the open and a perfect spot to get some rays.

American Goldfinch

American Goldfinch

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

My local creek residents find places to sun bath after taking a dip in the water.

Gray Catbird

Gray Catbird

Belted Kingfisher

Belted Kingfisher

Last December, I bird-sat my friend’s Kookaburra. I put him near the front window on a very sunny day and even he enjoyed the sun for some time.

Laughing Kookaburra

Laughing Kookaburra

Laughing Kookaburra up close

He eventually closed eye lid

Backyard Begging – It’s Fledgling Season!

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This is my favorite time of year for backyard birding. Parent birds are bringing their begging babies to my yard and tirelessly giving them food from my bird feeders.

Common Grackle family

Common Grackle family

The parents are very often attentive and I hardly ever see them actually feed themselves.

Northern Cardinal mom feeding young

Northern Cardinal mom feeding young

Chipping Sparrow feeding young

Chipping Sparrow feeding young

House Finch Family

House Finch Family

American Goldfinch dad feeding young

American Goldfinch dad feeding young

The young woodpeckers seem to be the most patient and often quietly wait for their meal, not far off from Mom and Dad. They are also the most fun to watch as they attempt to cling anywhere and everywhere.

Hairy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Young Downy Woodpecker

Young Downy Woodpecker

Some birds, like the Crows and Jays will continuously beg even though the parents ignore them.

Young American Crow begging to an adult

Young American Crow begging to an adult

Begging Blue Jay

Begging Blue Jay

Others show up after they are already on their own and shyly feed themselves.

Young Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Young Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Young male Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Young male Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Young Cedar Waxwing

Young Cedar Waxwing

Feeding young is a tough job, but someone has to do it!

Celebrating One Hundred Yard Birds

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Today, I took a better look at my yard bird list because I thought I hit the 100th milestone with a singing Wood Thrush. Well, it turns out that I did not hit it today – I hit it last month without realizing it! The Thrush ended up being number 103, making a Barn Swallow that I saw two days ago number 102 and an Eastern Screech-Owl that I heard number 101. Number 100 went to a good one and I wish I knew it at the time – I was outside talking to a friend about yard birds and I mentioned that I have been trying to see Bald Eagles migrate overhead so that I can get it as a yard bird. Ten minutes later, guess who came flying low over the creek while we were standing in my driveway? A Bald Eagle. I did not know it then, but that was yard bird number 100!

I will celebrate this huge milestone with a list of my yard birds and, of course, some photos taken from my yard.

I have some birds who stick around all throughout the year, my true residents and feeder birds

Northern Cardinal
Black-capped Chickadee
American Crow
Mourning Dove
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Blue Jay
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
House Sparrow
Song Sparrow
European Starling
Tufted Titmouse
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Carolina Wren
 

Some birds are here year-round but do not show up often, or show up more in one season than another

Eastern Bluebird
Brown Creeper
Dark-eyed Junco
Ring-necked Pheasant
 

And Hawks who watch them or are seen flying over the house

Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk
 

Some birds stay to breed and I see or hear them throughout the summer, but they migrate south in the winter

Gray Catbird
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Purple Finch
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Baltimore Oriole
Eastern Phoebe
Chipping Sparrow
American Robin
Field Sparrow (heard only, seen in woods)
Veery (heard only, seen in woods)
Red-eyed Vireo
Turkey Vulture (flying)
Common Yellowthroat (heard only)
Cedar Waxwing
House Wren
 

Others stay to breed but I only see or hear them once in a while

Indigo Bunting
Brown-headed Cowbird
Northern Flicker
Ruffed Grouse (heard only)
Ovenbird (heard only, seen in woods)
American Redstart
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Barn Swallow (flying)
Tree Swallow (flying)
Chimney Swift (flying)
Scarlet Tanager
Eastern Towhee
Yellow Warbler
 

These birds stay throughout the winter but breed further north

Common Redpoll
Hoary Redpoll
Pine Siskin
American Tree Sparrow
 

My yard gets a lot of migrating birds who come through in waves

Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Blue-headed Vireo
Philadelphia Vireo
Bay-breasted Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Blue-winged Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Pine Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
 

And birds who come during migration and stay for a few days or even weeks

Fox Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
 

Also birds who I’ve seen migrating over my house, both high and low

Double-crested Cormorant
Snow Goose
Broad-winged Hawk
Ring-billed Gull
Merlin
Common Raven
 

These birds are usually flying to or from the neighborhood creek

Mallard (flying, vocalizing)
Canada Goose (foraging across the street)
Green Heron (perched in a tree!)
Great Blue Heron (flying)
Killdeer (flying, vocalizing)
Belted Kingfisher (flying, vocalizing)
Common Merganser (flying, vocalizing)
 

I’ve only seen or heard these birds once, but hope they return soon

Bald Eagle (flying)
Northern Mockingbird
Osprey (flying)
Rock Pigeon (flying)
Eastern Screech-Owl (heard only)
Swainson’s Thrush
Brown Thrasher
Wood Thrush (heard only, seen in woods)
American Woodcock (heard only)

Pileated Woodpecker

Brown Creeper

Ring-necked Pheasant

Cooper's Hawk

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Baltimore Oriole

Red-eyed Vireo

Yellow Warbler

Cape May Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler

Pine Warbler

Tennessee Warbler

Wilson's Warbler

Cedar Waxwing

It is exciting to think about who will show up next or which birds I will see in my yard that I’ve only heard so far. Fall migration is when I get most of my new surprises but hopefully I do not have to wait that long for the next one.

Indigo Bunting