Hummer Update

By Eilene Lyon

My last post, about the black-chinned hummingbird nest under our deck, proved quite popular! Therefore I must offer an update and a few more photos. Last week, they were covered in pinfeathers and had barely begun opening their eyes.

Through the week, I spied on the nestlings as they stretched and exercised their wings. Their feathers grew and they began looking much like adults. Mama would show up with food and ram her crazy-long bill down their throats. How she avoids puncturing their guts, I don’t know.

I missed my fledge-date guess by one day. They left the nest Monday, rather than Sunday. On Sunday, one of the young began perching on the edge of the nest (as seen below) rather than lying on top of it. Both were grooming themselves furiously.

Someone asked me about comparative size of the nest, and I’d say “golf ball” is a good approximation.

The first one to leave perched for a while on the nearby light wiring, but I couldn’t get a good photo. The next time I looked–gone. Presumably with mama bird.

We left for a few hours and by the time we got back, the second bird had fledged. Bye bye, birdies!!

P.S. Now I can go clean up the mess on the patio furniture and office window–oh boy!