Date: 09/21/2009

Number: 1

As we begin the last week in September 09, we continue to see the same 6 hummers on a daily basis. All six are hatchlings from this season, two sets of twins, and two loners.
The first set of twins (hummers #2 and #3) are from the same nest (neighbor's ash tree) and first sighted in our yard w/an adult female. We continue to see twins #2 and #3, but they're rarely sighted together. We're certain they're both males even though we've seen them swooping one another as if they were courting.
The second set of twins, hummers #4 and #5, continue to tolerate one another and exhibit playful behaviors. When #4 is sighted in one area of the yard at the flowers/feeders, #5 can be found at the feeders/flowers in another part of the yard. They appear to be a male and a female, one has a heavily streaked throat and the other doesn't, and both have white tipped tails.
Although #1 is the oldest of the two loner hummers, he's a male tweener at best guess. When the older more experienced "eat and run" hummers chase him, he's not aggressive or defensive. However, he doesn't have any trouble buzzing me at very close range on a regular basis.
The other lone hummer, #6, is the tiniest hummer we've ever sighted. At first glance we thought it was a moth, and it wasn't until after it landed on a window screen when we realized that #6 was a hummer. It is so small that when feeding, #6 will perch either side saddle or on the rung closest to the syrup hole in order to stretch its body to get its beak into the feeders. #6 continues to exhibit begging postures (wings fluttering, beak up) and sounds (squeaking/beeping) whenever it's sighted feeding, in flight, or hovering overhead. It's also extremely friendly with humans and the dog too!
Hope

Madison, WI

Latitude: 43.1 Longitude: -89.4

Observed by: Kathy
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