I am not-so-secretly hoping they will make another stop here, if they found their way south after leaving (though based on the indignity of the banding, I suspect the female may do anything possible to forget this place exists). It's tempting to think that our home may have imprinted on their flyway path, that we have developed something like a relationship.
And last Tuesday, 9/17, I glanced out the window to discover that my hopes were rewarded: A rufous hummingbird at the feeder! This one was an adult male, even more obviously a rufous than the two juveniles from last year, which were difficult to distinguish from the ruby throats. I immediately contacted Bruce from USGS, who helped trap and band last year's rufous migrants and notified all the local community birders. We theorized that it must be last year's male, now grown, because given their rarity in this area, it seemed too coincidental that we could have an entirely new migrant visitor. This is several weeks earlier than last year, and that adult males migrate earlier than juveniles also added to our theory this was the same bird. Bruce asked me to see if I could get a close-enough look to determine whether the bird was banded. Hmm. This species is much more skittish - hard to blame him, since he's been captured here! - than the ruby-throats, rarely perches, and I have poor eyesight. How on earth was I going to be able to see if his teeny tiny ankle has a teeny tiny bracelet?
In the week since, Stan was able to come out with his Very Fancy Camera and get a few photographs, to get some answers. Some cropping and enlarging and some keen eyes (not mine) were able to make out enough numbers to verify that yes, this is the male who visited us last October. Interestingly, after he left here, he was apparently captured and banded again, as he is sporting bands on both ankles. It's interesting to compare these to the similar images from a year ago; he is so much more vivid and colorful as an adult.
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| Bands visible - Photo credit: Stan Bentley |
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| Rare moment of rest - Photo credit: Stan Bentley |
I always loved hummingbirds! When I was little, I loved to sit on the back porch and watch the hummingbirds feed on the nectar we hung there. I loved the pictures you included of the hummingbird who traveled back to visit. How awesome to meet again!
ReplyDeleteI'm lucky to have a local friend with a very good camera. He made another trip for more photos and we've determined that the bird is not banded on both feet; but we can make out almost all the numbers, so it is surely the male from last year. It's interesting how different in temperament this species is from the local ruby throats. He's very timid and skittish. It will be hard to notice - as I've been instructed to pay attention to by Bruce - when he finally leaves. I still keep hoping he'll stick around for the winter. But I imagine it's a hard sell, given that he usually goes to much warmer locations!
ReplyDeleteOh, he's beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteI am drawn to him because he's so distinctly unlike the hummingbirds that we have here all summer. And his presence - as of 10/22, he's still here! - is a reminder of summer, when all our regular hummingbird visitors have long departed for their winterlands.
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful photos!
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