Great pictures of humming birds

Nice link ci. I have seen plenty of humming birds (they must have liked my flowers), but had no idea how small their nest was.

I can't seem to remember how many times per second their wings flap. It's an astounding amount.

They sound like bees to me.

Copied from a link, "These small creatures flap their wings about 50 times a second, so it is impossible to see the wings when they are hovering."

old friend Pitter has some really great pictures

husker, That's a fantastically good picture of a humming bird. Not an easy thing to do. Thanks for sharing it on this thread.

Yes... it makes me want to paint it. I'll have to ask Pitter..

sorry, a double...

I bet he will a yes

Great site! Thanks for posting it C.I

My mom has alot of hummingbirds in her neighborhood.
She lives in Albuquerque and has 3 feeders outside her home. She gets alot of the bigger hummingbirds. They are the ones with the bright red heads..... I cant remember what that breed is called but they sound like big honeybees when they are flying. Sometimes, when they are fighting over wich birds gets the feeder first, you can hear the wings flapping inside through the glass of her kitchen window. They are very fiesty little birds. When a diffrent breed shows up at the feeder, you can see the significant size diffrence. It is pretty neat. I have tried many times to get a picture of them in flight. I started with a 35mm and got a great pic of thier bodies but nothing but a blurr for thier wings. I tried with a digital camera and got the opposite effect! There must be some secret technique to photographing them !


((( I found the birds Im talking about:))
They are Rofous Humming birds and they look alot like this one :




They have BRIGHT red heads, sometimes black bodies , but mostly just a dark brown. They have a loud sound when flying and when attacking another hummingbird.
When they are side by side with the other birds my mom gets, these Rofous birds seem almost 2xs thier size. I think these are my favorite breed of hummingbird.

another hummer captured by Pitter

In the meantime, a friend has been sending me warnings about various infections diseases being spread among birds via bird feeders. That friend has an acre or so in central California and has just put up plenty of feeders on his property, each time sending me photos of the kinds of feeders and explaining why each one works better than others as he discovers a new feeder design..

I'll see if I saved any links.

Well, here's one of his emails, and then I have one more link for the next post..
_____________________________________________________________
Subject: EGAD!!! Deadly Bird Disease Can Spread By Birdfeeders

July 6, 2004 California Department of Fish & Game
Deadly Bird Disease Can Spread By Birdfeeders
Many Californians connect with nature by providing birds with an outdoor birdfeeder or birdbath. But what they may not realize is those same feeders and baths could be harboring a deadly parasite that is responsible for killing thousands of mourning doves, band-tailed pigeons, and other wild birds.

Various statewide outbreaks of trichomoniasis have already caused mortality in many of California‚s mourning dove and band-tailed pigeon populations.

California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) avian experts are urging residents to either thoroughly clean their birdfeeders and baths daily, or remove them for the remainder of the summer to help stop the spread of the disease.

„It‚s probably best to eliminate feeders all together, but if folks decide to keep them, there are precautions they can take to minimize the spread of the parasite to healthy birds,‰ said Dr. Ben Gonzales, a DFG wildlife veterinarian.

Trichomoniasis is a protozoan - a single-celled animal - that causes mortality in doves and other gregarious species, with varying levels of localized outbreaks documented annually throughout California as well as in other parts of the U.S.

To help control the disease, DFG biologists are urging residents to:
Replace water in birdbaths daily.
Replace all food in birdfeeders daily.
Clean up old food around feeders daily.
Use small amounts of food.
Decontaminate feeders by using a 10 percent solution of household bleach in water, preferably cleaned just prior to adding new food.
Spread small amounts of seed out over a large area in the sun, instead of using bird boxes or feeders.
Vary the locations of where the seed is spread to avoid encouraging a concentration of birds at one feeding site.

DFG‚s biologists say the disease is highly contagious and can easily spread from birds sharing the same feeding or watering areas. Young doves and pigeons can become infected when fed „crop milk‰ is produced by their parents.

„The major concern with the spread of this disease is the impact it has on local wild bird populations,‰ Gonzales said. Although exact numbers of bird deaths is impossible to calculate, Gonzales believes the number to be in the thousands so far this year.

Understanding the spread of disease, including other agents transmitted at feeding and watering sites, and their impacts on bird populations, is a major consideration for wildlife professionals who are charged with the management of wild birds in California.

„Unusual population increases that result from feeding as well as a concentration of birds around feeders, predispose bird populations to outbreaks of infectious diseases like Trichomoniasis,‰ Gonzales said. „This problem occurs primarily in urban areas in mourning doves.‰

Environmental conditions are also a factor with the disease. The parasite generally poses little threat until temperatures exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit and evening lows are above 50. Outbreaks are typically documented during the drier seasons - spring, summer and fall, during the months that many bird watchers rely on bird feeders and baths.

Birds that are concentrated, feeding at one location, are most vulnerable to this disease because the parasite is typically passed in food and water regurgitated from an infected bird. Healthy birds that ingest such food, or drink the same water as an infected bird, can then contract the disease.

Nationwide studies suggest that a significant number of doves and pigeons are currently infected with varying strains of the disease. Thousands of these birds die each year. Mortality in young birds is of particular concern. Gonzales said nestlings typically die within four to 18 days after being infected.

„This disease can impact the number of young birds being recruited into a population, which then can impact future local populations,‰ said Pat Lauridson, DFG wildlife biologist and game bird specialist. „If a parent is infected and the only means of survival of the young is by that parent, as is especially the case with doves and pigeons, the young are given a death sentence.‰

Studies show that the parasite can last for 20 minutes to several hours in water, and up to five days in bird feed. „This is ample time for the disease to be transmitted to a healthy parent bird that happens to feed from the same infected feeder or watering bowl,‰ said Gonzales, who conducts necropsies on infected dead birds and compiles estimated mortality rates for DFG.

Doves and pigeons are the two species most documented with the infection because of their gregarious habits, and their feeding of young with crop milk, noted Gonzales. The infection essentially affects their upper digestive tracts. The birds develop lesions in their mouths and throats that eventually prevent them from eating. Most of these birds die of starvation but some actually suffocate from the lesions or when the disease impacts their livers.

„Infected birds will continue to attempt to eat seeds or drink water, even though their throats are often blocked by the parasite, because they are starving or dying of thirst, in addition to the infection,‰ he said. „It can spread like wildfire and to a variety of other bird species.‰ Falcons and hawks can become infected after feeding on dead doves, for example. Owls and songbirds can also contract the disease and die.

Most often, however, dead doves and pigeons are found because they tend to die in the open, whereas other bird species seek cover just prior to their death. In addition, because of their flocking behavior, doves and pigeons often die in groups, thereby increasing the chance of a die-off being detected.

„The potential impact to local band-tailed pigeon populations in high outbreak years is worrisome,‰ said Lauridson, who is charged with developing management objectives for both doves and pigeons in California.

The band-tailed pigeon, distinguishable by its yellow legs, yellow bill, and long banded tail, is the only native and the largest pigeon in North America. And California is home to a geographically unique population of this bird. The Pacific Coast band-tailed pigeon migrates from British Columbia to northern Baja, California. It is also a bird that generally prefers a distinct habitat, the state‚s conifer, pine and mixed hardwood forests found at higher elevations.

„The band-tailed pigeon is kind of a majestic bird. Its migratory behavior and proclivity for forested habitats makes it much different than the feral pigeons you see roosting in the rafters of a barn,‰ Lauridson said. „But all the same, if these birds find an easy food source such as what feeders provide, they‚ll return in even larger numbers to feed alongside other species, which creates an environment rich for the transmission of the disease and resulting impacts to local populations.‰

European settlers who brought pigeons and doves to the continent introduced the Trichomoniasis parasite in the U.S. The avian disease likely went undetected for centuries. It was first documented in the Southeastern region of the U.S. between 1949 and 1951. Nationwide mortality rates at that time were only in the tens of thousands for mourning doves. Several decades later, the disease spread to other areas, including the states of New Mexico, Alabama, and Nebraska. In 1988, in California the disease killed more than 16,000 banded-tailed pigeons. This was the first major U.S outbreak recorded for the band-tailed pigeon.

DFG officials remind the public there is always a danger in handling dead wildlife. Individuals should wear gloves when picking up a dead bird or other wildlife and always wash with an anti-bacterial soap afterwards.

Contacts:
Dr. Ben Gonzales, Veterinarian, (916) 358-1464
Pat Lauridson, Wildlife Biologist, (916) 445-3701


The weekly Kern Valley Sun arrived today. In this most recent issue there is clarion call to TAKE DOWN ALL THISTLE FEEDERS for 30 days. Just as I've deployed 3 thistle (nyjer) feeders and 3 nyjer/thistle stockings.

Evidently bird deaths have been noticed in the tiny Pine Siskin.

I checked and indeed, that is amongst the small finch-like birds who are feeding from my feeders in droves. I've not noticed any dead ones (yet).



Pine siskin Carduelis pinus

Identification Tips:
Length: 4<pi> inches
Small, seed-eating bird
Short, conical bill
A dark, streaked finch with notched tail & small patches of yellow in wings & tail.
Brown upperparts with heavy streaking
Pale underparts with heavy streaking
Yellow patches in wings and tail-not always visible
Short, forked tail
Voice Distinctive rising, bzzzzzt. Song like a hoarse goldfinch.
Usually seen in flocks, which have a distinctive flight pattern: the birds alternately bunch up and then disperse in undulating flight.
The Pine Siskin can be identified by its yellow patches in the wings and tail. When these are not visible, as on a perched bird, it can look like a sparrow. It is smaller than sparrows and lacks a pale supercilium. A dark, streaked finch with notched tail and small patches of yellow in wings and tail. Usually seen in flocks, which have a distinctive flight pattern: the birds alternately bunch up and then disperse in undulating flight.

Siskins, redpolls, and goldfinches are a closely related group of seed specialists. All have short, conical beaks; short, slightly forked tails; bright wing markings; and "nervous" behavior. They feed in flocks, which, after breeding, may contain hundreds of birds. They are all acrobats, often hanging upside down, like titmice and chickadees, plucking seeds from hanging seedpods and cones.

The Pine Siskin's winter visits to the United States occur mainly in years when the seed crop has failed in the boreal forests. In some years large flocks may appear as far south as Florida. Their principal foods are the seeds of hemlocks, alders, birches, and cedars.

And his next email -


Subject: MORE on Salmonella in wild birds

After reading an article in our weekly newspaper, Kern Valley Sun, suggesting a 30-day removal of nyjer feeders, I had to get more info. It seemed at first glance, that keeping things disinfected & clean would be enough. But I find that there is more to it than that. My nyjer feeders are teaming with mostly pine siskins, but also other birds.
MORE on Salmonella in wild birds...

EXCERPTS FROM: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/1,1607,7-153-10370_12150_12220-27268--CI,00.html

<http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/1,1607,7-153-10370_12150_12220-27268--CI,00.html> The following discussion will be limited to salmonellosis in wild birds. Salmonella typhimurium, the most ubiquitous and common of all salmonellae, is the most common species isolated in wild birds.

Distribution
Salmonellosis is seen in many species throughout the world. In North America it has been reported in house sparrows from Ontario and Saskatchewan, in evening grosbeaks from West Virginia, in pine siskins from Maryland, in a robin from South Carolina and in brown-headed cowbirds, white-throated sparrows and herring gulls in Massachusetts.

In Michigan Salmonella bacteria have been isolated from the following species: American goldfinch, bald eagle, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, brown creeper, brown-headed cowbird, common grackle, common redpoll, dark-eyed junco, evening grosbeak, great blue heron, house finch, house sparrow, herring gull, mallard, northern cardinal, pine grosbeak, pine siskin, purple finch, red-breasted grosbeak, ring-billed gull, and tree sparrow.

Transmission & Development
Salmonellosis is transmitted directly through fecal contaminated food products. Outbreaks of salmonellosis in wild birds in Michigan occur mostly in passerine birds concentrated in winter around feeders. House sparrows account for 95% of the mortality around feeders. Survivors of outbreaks may become healthy carriers and remain so for long periods.

The combination of carrier and susceptible birds concentrated at feeders, and transmission of the disease through fecal contaminated feed result in outbreaks of salmonellosis. House sparrows, due to their feeding habits of crowding onto the feeding area and remaining there until the food supply is exhausted, are exposed for long periods to carriers and contaminated ground. This greatly increases the number of bacteria a bird comes in contact with, and therefore the threshold number of bacteria needed to cause an infection in a susceptible bird is more easily met. It also appears that the house sparrow is inherently more susceptible to the salmonellae bacteria than other wild birds.

Salmonellosis outbreaks around feeders subside with the milder weather of spring. During the spring and summer when food is usually no longer offered, the house sparrow, while remaining in the same area, tend not to flock but are forced to forage individually. This dispersal of flocks separates carrier and healthy birds, decreasing greatly the number of bacteria a susceptible bird will come into contact with. Also winter stress such as lower temperatures is not a factor at this time of the year.

Treatment & Control
No drugs or antibiotics have proven to be entirely effective for treating salmonellosis in any wild birds. Sulfamerizine, nitrofurane and broad-spectrum antibiotics in the feed of water may reduce losses in domestic species.

To help reduce transmission, feeders may be disinfected weekly with a 1:10 bleach to water mixture. The feeder should be thoroughly dried before refilling with feed.

The best control in Michigan for die-offs around bird feeders is the removal of feed for one month. With the food supply removed, birds will be dispersed, and carrier and susceptible birds separated.


Now it makes more sense to me.

Well, it makes sense to me to plant for birds, as this perhaps diminishes chances of transmission, but what about urban birds..

I see I need to read more on the whole birdfeeder situation.

I never used bird feeders, but I do have a bird bath, thank you for the info Osso.

I've had different variety of flowers, and I must say, the flowers attracted quite a few humming birds, I had a green hb show up regularly.

Flowers are a natural feeder. I read hb's prefer red flowers, but the one's that visited my house seemed to like all of the dark/rich looking flowers.

Folks, those pics are wonderful, thank you all for posting.

West Nile Virus is spread by birds. A dead bird located in Northern California recently was infected with the West Nile Virus.

Right. I think there was one in Ferndale, up in my area.

Just caught up with this thread. Thank you Husker. The two you posted are regulars at my feeders in Cali at 3000 ft. Here's another, a Brown Violet-ear I find at 7000 ft.