The Birders Report

Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) Male photos by Larry Jordan

Every spring, usually in April, we begin seeing Rufous Humingbirds (Selasphorus rufus) at the feeders.  Not only does this 3 3/4″ hummingbird make the longest known avian migration (measured by body length), it reaches the northernmost latitude of any hummingbird (61° N¹ near Anchorage Alaska).  Now that’s extreme.

The male with his bright orange-red gorget, makes a striking pose (click on photos for full sized images). He also aggressively protects his nectar supply by chasing off most other intruders.

This video I shot at my hummingbird feeders shows several Anna’s Hummingbirds feeding as a Rufous Hummingbird comes screaming in at the 13 second mark, clearing all other birds away.  He repeatedly chases a much larger Anna’s male away (with the bright red head), then, finally, near the end of the video, allows two female hummingbirds to feed for a few moments, then chases them away too.

Many times as the hummingbirds come into the feeder, they will pause for an instant before choosing a spot to perch.  That’s when I caught this guy in this straight on pose.

This is the much more demure and less aggressive female Rufous Hummingbird. The dark blotches under her chin glow orange-red in the sunlight as well.

I don’t know if she is nesting here or just passing through, but I will keep my eye out for her at the feeders. If I see her for any length of time, I will assume she is nesting here, even though the maps show Rufous Hummingbird’s southern most breeding range extending only into the north-western-most corner of California.

As a bit of California liquid sunshine falls, I leave you with another view of this male’s gorgeous gorget displayed for all to see.

If you want to see more super bird photos from around the world, you have to check out World Bird Wednesday, hosted by Springman over at Pine River Review!

References: ¹Birds of North America Online

Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus) photos by Larry Jordan

A few days ago I heard the unmistakable sound of the Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus) calling from my back porch.  They have a rich, fluid, melodious song that for many is the harbinger of spring (click on photos for full sized images).

The female above was accompanied by, what appeared to be three adult males.  They seem to like the all weather feeder for some reason.  I think it is ergonomically correct for their size.

Today was the first time I had seen American Goldfinches (Carduelis tristis) at the thistle feeder this spring.  A few joined the multitude of Lesser Goldfinches and Pine Siskins that have been here all winter.

I took a short break from all the yard work Brigitte and I were doing all day to take some shots of the other yardbirds that are here year round.

The Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura) are almost constantly cooo, coo cooing this time of year.

And of course the Acorn Woodpeckers (Melanerpes formicivorus) are always amusing with their call that sounds like an insane person laughing.

This male was selecting his favorite treats from the ultimate woodpecker feeder.

Another clown of the yard is the ubiquitous Western Scrub-jay (Aphelocoma californica).  Being members of the Corvidae family, these guys are no dummies.

Doesn’t this bird look inquisitive?  No, he’s not curious, he’s looking up at the upside down suet feeder that is made specifically for clinging birds.

You see, he loves suet and this jay bird has figured out how to feed out of this feeder without hanging upside down.

He simply flies up and takes bites out of the suet in mid flight.

And he is good at it too!  If you want to see some good bird photography, head on over to Bird Photography Weekly and post your own great bird photos!

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