OWLS & OTHERS FROM THE NORTH SHORE OF MASSACHUSETTS AND ELSEWHERE ACROSS THE USA
I'm an avid birder and nature photographer wishing to share some of my sightings & images taken while out in the "wilds" of Cape Ann and surrounding New England countryside. More images can be found on my web site at New England Birds PlusEnjoy, Phil Brown
On 3 or 4 occasions over the past 17 years of feeding Hummingbirds here in Essex I've had a male exhibit behavior that makes it appear to be having trouble swallowing. I had another one of these last week and for the second time in all these years I had a Hummingbird expire in the yard. Very, very sad to see.
I came home to a Hummingbird hanging from the feeder with another male displaying to it from a few inches away, trying to chase it from "His" feeder. This is what it looked like when I arrived.
And within a few moments the Hummingbird was on the ground.
Back in July of 2010 I had another male showing the same symptoms, having a hard time swallowing, sitting on the feeder for extended periods of time with it's bill straight up in the air and eyes closed as if resting until being chased off by another male. This shows the tongue out as it tries swallowing hard.
And a brief video of the 2010 male as it tried to feed at the window feeder.
Both of these Hummingbirds were collected and given to the Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology in Cambridge to add to their collection. I've asked several sources for a diagnosis of the problem and have heard from others that have seen the same behavior at their feeders but have yet to hear a viable reason. I do know that male Hummingbirds live an "average life" of 1 1/2 years with females living longer, so maybe with all of the time I've spent watching I've just witnessed the end for a few of these flying wonders. Sad indeed.
Such a sad sight to see, Phil! The way that the bird from 2010 is all puffed up makes it look rather sick. Excuse my ignorance (we don't get hummingbirds over here!), but what do people feed these birds on? Is there any chance that, in warm dry weather, sugars are crystallising in their throats?
Thanks for your note Richard. Hummingbirds make their living off of nectar from flowers year round which is approx, 20% to 24% sugar. We mix sugar and water in a 4 to 1 ratio to somewhat match that natural blend they seek as well as putting out flowering plants to attract them. They also eat lots of small flying bugs and spiders to gain the protein they need for themselves and for raising their young. Hummingbirds evolved to feed at flowers, hovering flight, long bills, many variations of the bill dependent on the flowers they evolved with and are always in a warm climate as they migrate from here to south america each year..... So... I'm fairly certain they are able to take the sugar in without issue. Also hummingbirds perched at a feeder tend to puff up their feathers when relaxed (or when perched elsewhere). I'm always amazed at how large they look all puffed out and a second later as sleek as can be as they ready themselves to fly off. Thanks again for your note and thoughts on what may have done in this stunning creature.
Very sorry for the little bird!
ReplyDeleteSuch a sad sight to see, Phil! The way that the bird from 2010 is all puffed up makes it look rather sick. Excuse my ignorance (we don't get hummingbirds over here!), but what do people feed these birds on? Is there any chance that, in warm dry weather, sugars are crystallising in their throats?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your note Richard. Hummingbirds make their living off of nectar from flowers year round which is approx, 20% to 24% sugar. We mix sugar and water in a 4 to 1 ratio to somewhat match that natural blend they seek as well as putting out flowering plants to attract them. They also eat lots of small flying bugs and spiders to gain the protein they need for themselves and for raising their young. Hummingbirds evolved to feed at flowers, hovering flight, long bills, many variations of the bill dependent on the flowers they evolved with and are always in a warm climate as they migrate from here to south america each year..... So... I'm fairly certain they are able to take the sugar in without issue. Also hummingbirds perched at a feeder tend to puff up their feathers when relaxed (or when perched elsewhere). I'm always amazed at how large they look all puffed out and a second later as sleek as can be as they ready themselves to fly off. Thanks again for your note and thoughts on what may have done in this stunning creature.
ReplyDelete