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Hummingbirds 2009Discovered outside our 2nd floor window on April 10th, we've been enjoying watching the chicks grow and the mom take care of them. Here's a website that talks a little bit more about the growth timeline We will
update this page often with my hopefully soon-to-arrive new camera with
a better zoom. More to come!!! |
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Shortly after discovery (4/10),
there was already one chick and one egg. |
Mom keeps an eye on
us as we watch through the window. Here, she's preparing to feed her chicks. |
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4/15 - We finally got a decent camera in the house and try for some more photos. Both chicks are getting big. Feathers are visible on their backs. You can also see that the beak is getting longer.
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4/16 - Not much new to see today
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4/17 - I was able to figure out the camera's zoom and got in really close today. Mom's not around as much now, off hunting for more and more food.
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4/18 - The chicks turned around overnight. The feathers are coming in nicely!
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4/18 - Mom finally shows up with some food
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4/18 - Mom feeds her chicks, letting me watch her this time.
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4/19 - It looks like photos of mom will be hard to get from now on. Internet research has confirmed that once the chicks are 8-9 days old, mom only comes by to feed them, but no more sitting on the nest to keep them warm. Meanwhile, the chicks have been spotted moving their wings around. I suspect that they'll be flapping in a day or two!
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4/20 - Subtle changes, including a slightly longer beak and thicker feathers. It's been really hot the last few days - I hope that they can stay hydrated.
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| 4/21 - Longer beaks and fluffier feathers | |
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4/21 - Mom is shy and won't feed the chicks while I was watching
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4/22 - Napping in the heat
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4/23 - Beaks are getting longer and the pinfeathers are coming in nicely
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4/24 - They're finally starting to look like birds! Notice how the feathers are starting to fluff up
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4/27 - (I apologize for the fuzzy picture; I was on my way to work) Sadly, Friday's picture was the last we saw of the hummingbird chicks. We went away for the weekend and when we got back, the nest was empty. While it could have been a predator, the evidence points more to the landscapers. They cleared away ivy at the base of the tree and could have very easily knocked the chicks out or frightened them with their noisy machines. Regardless, this is the end of our Nature Watch. Hopefully, Momma Hummingbird will lay some more eggs and start the process all over.
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