hummingbird courtship

[asakiyume]

I heard an unusual twittering outside yesterday, so went to see what bird it was making the odd noise, and it turned out to be hummingbirds. A male ruby-throated hummingbird (I can't remember when last I've seen a male before--not for ages), flashing that jewel throat, was swooping down in great parabolas on a bush with abundant, deep-throated pink flowers (weigela) in my neighbor's yard, where a female was feeding. I looked up this behavior and found out he was courting. Well--I was quite impressed! But I'm not the female he was after.

Comments

[xjenavivex.livejournal.com]

I bet it was beautiful

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

It definitely, definitely was!

[yamamanama.livejournal.com]

I can't remember the last time I've seen a mall hummingbird either. There was a female at the wildlife center a few years back.

I wonder if we use "RTH" for them or just "hummingbird" since they're the only ones in Massachusetts.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

I suppose you might get a stray something-else at some point, even though technically we're not supposed to--like if a hurricane blew some birds northward or something.

[yamamanama.livejournal.com]

Wikipedia tells me that 5 other species have been recorded, so that's entirely possible.

[sovay]

Well--I was quite impressed! But I'm not the female he was after.

Aw. Unrequited hummingbird.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

He was so magnificent--I hope he soon was requited.

[queenoftheskies.livejournal.com]

That is soooo COOL!

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

It was great! I think it was you who first told me about hearing hummingbirds chirping--I'd never heard it with my own ears before.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

I remember her mentioning the sound as well. :D

[wuweibaby.livejournal.com]

I hope you didn't feel bad ;)

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

I'll live ;-)

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

That's very cool! The only time I've ever seen hummingbirds was in the US (at the Getty Center in fact). I have to admit, as impressed as I was with the art, I got as much enjoyment from the tiny, hovering birds.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

When I was a child, I learned about hummingbirds and always wanted to see one but never did. Since moving here, I've seen lots of them!

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

What a lovely sight! :D

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

It was truly beautiful!

[heliopausa.livejournal.com]

That's a lovely word-picture. :)

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

♥ I'm glad it conjured an image for you!