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Hummingbird (OTHER Observations)
Sightings report image

Date: 05/21/2021

Number: 6

Before lunchtime, heard many speedy hummer fly-bys near the feeder, observed one male Ruby-throated hummingbird enforcing a zero-tolerance against at least two other males, preventing them from drinking from it.

Photos of the dominant male shows the characteristic right leg held normally and with the left leg more extended; as possibly the individual returned from last season, ("Short-leg") who maybe should have been assessed with one characteristic long foot/leg.

In flight, the left leg is held slightly extended with all four digits extended, possibly from an injury or congenital deformity such as shortened extensor tendons. This apparently does not hinder him from migration, perching, and dominating his territory. It is near one year to the day after this distinctive male was first observed, if it is the same then I'm very happy to see he made the journey again.

Later afternoon, this male was observed permitting one small male, and at times a female, perch and feed freely as he watched closely, bobbed his head from side to side, and quickly warded off other males when approached. Best guess would be that this smaller, thinner, ruby-throated male is their offspring.

Gulliver, MI

Latitude: 46.1 Longitude: -86.1

Observed by: James
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