Bird of the Month:
September- Anna’s Hummingbird
Size: They run about 4” tall.
Male: Iridescent green upper body with a grayish chest and central belly.
Female: Similar to the male with green crown and only a few rosy flecks on the throat.
Nesting: They’re early breeders and can lay eggs in December to May depending on location. The female builds a tiny cup size nest of downy plant fibers, decorated with lichens, held together with spiders silk. The nest is placed in a variety of locations on a tree or shrub branch, often near our houses. They will lay 1-3 little white eggs without any marking on them. They will have 2-3 broods per year. After nesting the female raises alone in the morning and she feeds them nectar for quick energy to warm them while she forages. In the afternoon she’ll feed them insects.
Feeding: They will hover, sometimes perches, to sip flower nectar and sugar water. They will catch insects from flowers and shrubbery. They love your feeders with its sugar water. The males are very territorial, but will tolerate other hummingbirds if food is plentiful.
Recommended feed: Make a solution of one part granulated sugar to four parts water, boil and let it cool. Clean out the feeder before you fill it. By doing this you will prevent molds and fungus from forming, that are hazardous to the birds health.
Recommended Feeders: Use small, flat bottom feeders are the best and you don’t want one that drips. It should have a yellow or red flower on to attach the birds.
Habitat: Oak woodlands, chaparral, coastal scrubland, farmland, parks and urban gardens. Anna’s are a locally common summer breeding resident and I’ve seen them during the winter also.
Interesting facts: Males defend ¼ acre of territory and does spectacular diving displays. They’ve been seen raising up to 120 feet and diving down at speeds reaching 65 mph. They will veer off at the bottom of the dive while giving a loud “Squeak” sound. You’ll hear what you’ll think is the bird yelling like a kid going down a rollercoaster. What you’re hearing isn’t the bird making the sound, but it the feathers going through the air.
I hope you enjoy your hummingbirds as much as Cheryl and I do.
Harry Johnson
Recently I came across a file of columns written by Harry Johnson. Harry along with his wife Cheryl, lived in O’Brien. Harry wrote a weekly series for the paper about birds. Harry was an avid volunteer, involved in all areas of the Valley. Cheryl is still working hard to do her part in serving the community.