I have about 6 varieties of humming birds that visit my garden. One of them has built a nest and laid a pair of eggs. A vine has attached itself to a lower frond of a young coconut making the frond stable. This is where the nest was built.
The amount of work involved for such a small bird is incredible.
It's a beautiful nest!
Please be sure to keep us updated with the progress!
Thanks for sharing it with us!
I have set up my tripod at a safe distance. I will probably be able to move closer as, in the past, I have found Hummers quite tame.
Oh she's lovely John!
CUTE!
I understand that the eggs will take about two weeks to hatch depending on the temperature. We are in the high 80s during the day and low 60s before dawn. Is this about right?
From Hummingbirds.net
Ruby-throats incubate for 11 - 16 days until the eggs hatch. Rufous hummers incubate for 15 - 17 days.
Lucky you..what a great experience! I hope we get to see lots more of your pics John!
Those pictures are fabulous! I would love to see a hummer nest in person one day. I was lamenting this morning b/c last year at this time, I had a female resident hummingbird. I counted her in the annual backyard bird count every day of the count. I haven't seen a hummer in months this year.
She is very nervous and flies off into a nearby bush if I come near. It is a good job my camera knows what it is doing because I can't see her in the view finder.
We now know that she has a rufous tail and is Amazilia but which one I am not sure. She probably has some grey on her breast.
John
Nice pic John! I can definitely understand why you wouldn't want to stress her at all.
Amazilia tzacatl
I found this photo in Flickr. It appears to be a good match.
Gorgeous hummer!
How neat!
What a delightful thing to witness! Thanks for sharing with us.
How exciting for you. That nest is beautiful and the hummingbird is just stunning.
Unfortunately the eggs have gone. A predator must have seen the eggs. I must admit the nest was not well hidden.
Oh well, it was a wonderful experience while it lasted.
John
Sorry to hear that John.
probably some sneaky snake. Sorry to hear that.
I swear hummers are trying to create art with their nests - why else put some of those things on the outside? ;-) Just gorgeous!!
I think you are right, Evie. So much prettier than necessary.
Camouflage? Sorry, I'm too practical. :-)
Shoot, I'm sorry John. I was watching a nest as well, and the eggs blew out of the nest during a big storm. :-( You have great pics on here. I especially like the first one of the nest, it is so clear!
Thanks Sunny, it was a great surprise when I first saw it. It is mounted on a sturdy twig. I will cut the twig and mount it for display in the house. It will be a shame for the weather to destroy it.
John
What a heartbreak. I'm sorry. I hope she rebuilds somewhere you are able to observe again.
We found the sneaky snake that done the dirty deed, stealing the Hummingbird eggs. An arrest was not made. When the posse arrived it undulated very quickly up into the canopy and vanished.
This is Leptophis ahaetulla, the Parrot snake, that lives in trees and bushes and feeds on frogs, lizards, small birds and their eggs. It grows to about 7 feet. this one was about 5 feet long. It is difficult to spot unless you know it is there as it's green colour blends with the leaves and branches. Non Poisonous.
Wow, blends in perfectly. Must say, it is an awfully pretty snake - but that doesn't excuse his dirty deed!
Wow he is pretty!
Imagine me running the other way, screaming "That's a very pretty snake!"
Rose1656
LOL Rose!!!!
I guess it has to eat too. And it is a pretty one. I'll be joining Rose in the run/yell...
