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Subject:

Adult male Hummers gone?

From:

Frank Powers

Reply-To:

Maryland Birds & Birding

Date:

Sat, 4 Sep 2004 11:21:00 -0400

Haven't seen a single adult male Ruby-throated Hummingbird around our feeders at least since prior to Sept. 1.  Have they gone?  Still have several juveniles (generally thin) and an adult female or two (growing very fat) coming to the feeders.  

While several engage in chasing activities (esp. 1 juvenile male, notable for his centrally-spotted throat, strong streaks on throat and noticeable weight gain), none display the aggressiveness that the adult males had shown.  2 juveniles actually perched quite close to each other  (maybe 6 inches?) a couple of times in a nearby tree not far from the feeders.

They're a fascinating bunch to watch.

The first juvenile American Goldfinch I've seen so far this year visited our thistle feeder.  

Also had what sounded very much like a Blue-headed Vireo calling from nearby in the neighborhood (song seemed to be the Blue-headed's slower, "see you, cheer-i-o..."  rather than the Red-eyed's faster & demanding, "Here-I-am...where-are-you?....", but, hey, who knows?  Unless they are singing side by side in full view not more than 20 feet away, I'm never sure of these birds).

Good Labor Day birding,

Frank Powers
Glen Echo, MD
Southwestern Montgomery County