No new pics today, but an overall collection of photos from the hummingbirds I have discovered since I began the Chuparosa Challenge. And where I've found these birds. In fact, this write is really about how different each canyon and mountain top is from one another and how they'll attract certain kinds of hummers.
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| Broad Tailed Hummingbird |
While this Broad-Tailed Hummingbird is commonly seen around canyon areas, I had a difficult time finding them at all anywhere. A lot of observation was done throughout this past summer. Where did I find this little guy? On Mt. Lemmon near the Ski Lodge. And yet, one was reported at El Presidio by a resident. We have 3 feeders on the grounds and once again, it just shows how diverse a population can be around one property! This guy was reported in the fruit garden that has 3 feeders under the heavy shade of Privet trees in midtown Tucson.
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| Magnificent Hummingbird |
By early summer, the Magnificent Hummers made their presence known around all the feeders in Carr, Madera, Ramsey and Miller canyons, and of course Mt. Lemmon. They went from a rare spotting in April to regularly seen as of this write.
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| Ruby Throated Hummingbird |
This Ruby Throat is an extremely rare find in Arizona. This picture was taken in Wisconsin during my visit with Grandma. From New Mexico to the Eastern half of the US, you'll find this hummer rather common. But here in Tucson.....not so much:)
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| Violet Crowned Hummingbird |
Then the Violet Crowned Hummer. I'd like to note that I've spotted this hummer in Midtown Tucson several summers back. I hadn't known how rare this hummer was for our desert floor until this past year. Not commonly seen around the area but not as difficult to spot as the Blue Throated Hummer. I had one sighting of the VC in Madera canyon. All of my sightings for this particular hummer were in the Huachuca Mountains. I observed them mostly at Ramsey Canyon.
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| Costa's Hummingbird |
The Costa's Hummer is a beauty and can be found in our desert. It's not so fond of the feeders and are better seen in our wildlife settings. I found this guy at Agua Caliente Park. He was again spotted at Saguaro East National Park and then once again around our northern feeders during the winter months at El Presidio. He would perch in the Palo Verde tree across the road. They do feed at the hummingbird stations but it's not a common sight. The Plain Capped Starthroat has been difficult for me as this hummer behaves similiarly to the Costa's. I've heard this hummer in an isolated canyon while searching for him, but I still have no photo of this elusive bird.
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| Broad Bill Hummingbird |
While the Costa's and Starthroat are more secretive, the Broad Bill hummingbird is quite the opposite. He doesn't care where he's seen. In fact, you'll find this common hummer everywhere which include all of the canyons mentioned above. The striking blue hues of the male and wonderful orange bill make this another favorite hummer for birders around the world. The reactions are always the same...."Ooooo....look at that one!" Both Magnificent and Broad Bills are movie stars in the eyes of the human public.
Another and extremely common hummer is the Black Chinned. It's one of my favorites but unfortuneatly it's overlooked by many people. It's common and rather colorless. Even the female hummers get more attention than this guy. I disagree with the birding crowd. If I had to pick a hummer that is rather dull, it's the Starthroat. At least this hummer has a purple band around the gorget. The other day I heard an out-of-towner from CA say, "Look past the boring black one. It's over there!" He was referring to what he thought was a Blue Throated Hummer. Indeed the hummingbird had a blue throat but it was a juvenile Broad Bill.
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| Black Chinned Hummingbird |
The feeders are focal points and it's important to keep your eyes and camera fixed on them. There is a heirarchy among the populations. Some of the hummingbird males make sure their female counterparts feed first. The largest of the hummers in today's post, the Magnificent, is fast and usually was chased off by Broad Tails. It's not uncommon to see a war break out between these fast birds. At times, it looks like they'll fly right into your face, but thankfully that never has happened:)
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| Magnificent and Blue Throated Hummers are two of the largest hummingbirds of North America |
And finally, here is Tucson's little gem. The Costa's and Anna's hummingbirds live here all year round. I have a family of Anna's hummingbirds that live around the fern garden here at El Presidio. These guys are beautiful as their heads are a nice pink color. I would mix the Costa's and Anna's at times. But the key between distinguishing the two apart? Costa's is purple and Anna's is pink. And there are some minor differents in the faces:)
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| Anna's Hummingbird |
Of course, I've only shown you the males here as they are the ones with the distinguishing marks, but don't forget the females. It's easy to throw them all into the same category but it has been a lot of fun for me to distinguish the various and minor differences between this interesting group.
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| Female Broad-billed Hummingbird |
So the stats. I've found 8 of the 17 so far. Who's left? Plain Capped Starthroat, Rufous, Lucifer, Berylline, Blue Throated, Allen's, White Earred, Calliope, and Buff Bellied. Rare but possible are the Green Violet-ear hummers. Thanks Warren for keeping me on track with my studies:) Stay tuned for more....and there is more:) Hybrids, Juvies, the Devil, oh my! Rufee-oh!!!! Just some hints;)
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