 Hummingbirds develop a keen sense of what to fear as they mature. Adult birds simply know there are other food sources around, and not to bother with those that could get them in real trouble. Sometimes the sweetness is just too enticing for the juveniles, and they'll contort their bodies into any position to access the irresistible nectar. Adult birds are always far more cautious about sticking their head into a flower that doesn't allow them a visual in all directions. One or two swift attacks from a rival hummingbird is all it'll take for this youngster to think twice before burying its head so deep into a Nasturtium.
Juvenile Ruby-throated hummingbird, N.E. of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Aug. 2017.
5 Comments
Dave Markle
9/3/2017 09:49:02 pm
Any idea how long I can expect to see these little acrobats in my garden? I have seen one or maybe a couple of different ones for the last two weeks. Perhaps another week? Or even longer?
michael
9/4/2017 05:26:29 am
Dave, in the Toronto region it's common to have sightings as late as September 25th, and a few rare sightings into the following week.
Dave Markle
9/5/2017 07:21:10 pm
Wow! Great news. Last year my last sighting was Sept. 4th and the year before I saw a pair as late as the 14th. I will stay on the lookout...
Janice Arndt
9/5/2017 07:42:20 am
It's best to leave feeders out for a month after the last sighting of a hummer for those late flyers.
Dave Markle
9/5/2017 07:23:29 pm
I always put the feeders up early and leave them up after my last sighting. This year I will leave them out a little longer. Thanks for the info, Janice. Leave a Reply. |
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