Bickering Neighbors , Part Three

Monday is turning out to be my most reliable day to get out walking at lunch. The fog and low clouds were just starting to break when I got out. There was a lot of bird action around. I am getting a taste of what is to come on this territory in the next few months.

This Mallard was enjoying a quiet sit on an old pond. At this spot there is an old chicken coop so I suspect this was once someones backyard. Now this wooded edge is between three large business buildings.




Further down the way is the spot where "Mr Plateau" Anna's Hummingbird had set up his territory. Sure enough there he was calmly sitting right on the edge of the trail. Unfortunately the light, still foggy / cloudy, did not result in a pretty colorful portrait.

I continued my walk and noticed how active the birds were. I had a large mixed flock of finches roll past me. Robins are starting to sign their Spring song. There are more Red-winged Black Birds in the reeds.

This bit of greenery moss and unidentified small plants will be fun to keep an eye on. I think the heart shaped leaf might be a violet.

"Mr Pond" Anna's was at his tree, calm and quiet.

I was able to snap this Indian Plum bloom detail. I love these plants.

As I returned to the territory of Mr Plateau, I hear his sharp display whistle. There he was swooping about. I stopped to watch and immediately heard his song. Anna's Hummingbird song sounds like a small reel to reel tape rewinding; zip seep zip.

Well that was new. He flew up I saw why he was singing, a female flew out too. He flew over and got behind her and appeared to place his bill on her rump. They descended to a twig.

Mr Plateau got lucky.

I checked with the Tweeters group and a member confirmed that Anna's do nest this early. I have never observed hummingbird copulation. I was aware that Rufus Hummingbirds start active courtship in late March but have never seen Anna's on territory. Typically the female will nest somewhere close by so it will be interesting to keep an eye out for her.

Mr Plateau will have nothing further to do in the raising of the brood. He will mate with as many females as he can and might actually have a second mating with this female after she fledges the first brood.

Bickering Neighbors, Part Two

A few weeks ago I mentioned the trio of Anna's Hummingbirds having display and bickering fights.

On my walk today I found a hummer perched in a spot I had never seen one before. This path is at the bottom of the long hill down from work. I assumed that this might be one of the former trio. The spot was about 500 feet (as the bird buzzes) away from the the fighting spot. I snapped this picture as I felt it certainly represents the longing for Spring or even just a string of blue clear days.







On my walk I notice a lot of bushes are starting to get buds. The wild roses are setting new leaves.




Birds were all over. A large feeding flock of Siskin and Goldfinch, Robins starting to sing short parts of their song and many Crows were bathing in the little creek.

As I finished my pond circle I came to the spot where the original hummingbird fight was. Sure enough a single bird sat at the top of the tree.

Returning up the path to work, the bird I saw coming down was still there. As I stopped to take another look at him, a second bird appeared from below and they took off squabbling.

Clearly this Pair needs to settle their dispute. I wonder if the third bird will move further up slope.

Amazing Experience Monday

A week ago Sunday the PBS series "Nature" featured a wonderful show about hummingbirds.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/hummingbirds-magic-in-the-air/video-full-episode/5475/

I try to get out on a daily walk at work. The loop takes me down to a pond and marsh complex. The weather was so wonderful I think I saw more people out and about than I have on all the days this month.

As I was nearing the end of the trail by the marsh I heard a loud strong bird sound. I did not recognize the call but I thought it might be a blackbird of some kind so I stopped to watch for it.

In almost no time an Anna's Hummingbird appeared and shot straight up into the air.

I knew what was next thanks to the wonderful show linked above. Hummingbird males perform territory display, usually to court females. They race up high then dive towards their selected spot. At the bottom of their dive they make a characteristic sound, unique to their species. I am familiar with the common Rufus Hummingbird display. I had always thought they were vocal sounds but from the show I learned that it was air through the tail feathers.

Just like the old trick of blowing across grass blades.

The hummer performed three more dives and I was amazed with how loud the ending "Cheerup" sound was.

All of a sudden two other birds appeared and they had a fast set-to with bickering swooping and chasing.

I had to laugh and I said "Boys, it is only January. Pace yourselves"