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Anna’s Hummingbird Collecting Nest Material

Anna’s Hummingbird Gathering Nesting Material photos by Larry Jordan

After watching the dive display of the male Anna’s Hummingbird last week, I decided to put out some nesting material for them (I believe it is simply raw cotton).  I placed it about six feet from one of the feeders and it didn’t take long for the hummingbirds to find it and start using it.

I am still hearing the dive displays around my yard but I have yet to find a hummingbird nest.  If you want to see a nesting Allen’s Hummingbird, check out Phoebe Allens Webcam.  If you want to see some great bird photos it’s Bird Photography Weekly.  Come and join the fun!

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • dreamfalcon March 14, 2010, 9:59 am

    That’s very interesting how they pick that nesting material!

  • MaineBirder March 14, 2010, 10:58 am

    Wonderful photos Larry! The first is my favorite!

    I can’t wait until the Hummingbirds return here in May.
    .-= MaineBirder´s last blog ..Longing for the birds of summer =-.

  • Eileen March 14, 2010, 11:05 am

    Cool photos of the hummingbird with the nesting material. Lucky you to have them nesting in your yard. Great photos.
    .-= Eileen´s last blog ..Carolina Chickadee =-.

  • Mick March 14, 2010, 11:11 am

    That was a very smart idea to offer the birds some free nesting material and the resulting photos are fantastic!
    .-= Mick´s last blog ..Bar-tailed Godwits – again! =-.

  • chris March 15, 2010, 7:21 am

    HI Larry,
    Wow these are fabulous pictures!!! I’d love to see them again, these little hummigbirds. I’ve seen one species in Chile and it was awesome!
    .-= chris´s last blog ..Where is the summer?? =-.

  • Lana March 15, 2010, 3:50 pm

    Very cool! I recently threw out a whack of hair & dryer lint. I think a Carolina wren’s making use of at least some of it now. 😉
    .-= Lana´s last blog ..Life at the Flatwoods =-.

  • Amber Coakley March 15, 2010, 6:07 pm

    I’ve heard of putting out natural cotton. Heck, I could probably find some growing somewhere if I took a little drive! Hey – that would be a fun field trip. Thanks for the idea, Larry. I’ll let you know if find a field of cotton and “borrow” a little. 🙂
    .-= Amber Coakley´s last blog ..Wood Ducks and the Celebration of Life =-.

  • NatureFooostep Fåglar/Birds March 18, 2010, 7:54 am

    lol, how fun, it really is busy. 🙂
    .-= NatureFooostep Fåglar/Birds´s last blog ..Rördrom – Botaurus lentiginosus – Great/Eurasian Bittern =-.

  • gwendolen March 18, 2010, 11:36 pm

    What a cool idea, Larry. Love the action photos 🙂
    .-= gwendolen´s last blog ..We’re all waiting for Spring =-.

  • Andrew April 4, 2010, 2:17 pm

    Those are great photos. I thought the cotton was a cloud at first. Does growing potential nesting material attract more hummingbirds? I’m trying to attract more of them, so I’m going to buy a hummingbird feeder. Are there any you recommend? So far, I’ve found those Perky-Pet Top Fill hummingbird feeders. They open from the top and look really easy to fill.

  • Larry April 4, 2010, 10:00 pm

    Thank you all for your wonderful comments

    @Andrew I think that growing your own nesting material or buying it, either one will help them in their nest building.

    For top filled hummingbird feeders, I like the Aspects Humzinger Ultra which holds just 12 ounces. If you have lots of hummingbirds and don’t want to have to fill feeders everyday, or even twice a day, get the Best-1, 72 ounce feeder. I have 4 of the 72 ounce feeders and one 12 ounce saucer. They work great!