GrrlScientist is an evolutionary biologist, ornithologist, aviculturist, birder and freelance science and nature writer. A native of the Pacific Northwest, she relocated from Seattle to NYC with her parrots after earning a BS in Microbiology (emphasis in Virology) and PhD in Zoology (Ornithology) from the University of Washington. In NYC, she was the Chapman Postdoctoral Fellow at the American Museum of Natural History for two years, pursuing part of her "dream" research project by reconstructing a molecular phylogeny of the parrots of the South Pacific islands. GrrlScientist and her five parrots are currently relocating to Germany, where she will continue writing her blog while also writing a book and learning German. (Meanwhile, her parrots will continue to nibble on her extensive personal library.) If you appreciate GrrlScientist's writing, you can help pay her living expenses by hiring her to "blog" your conference, speak at your club or write articles for your publication (or by clicking on the Paypal button below). If you read an essay on this blog that you especially enjoyed, please nominate it for inclusion in 
tags: hummingbird nest, birds, ornithology, streaming video
This video was sent to me by a friend who works at National Geographic (and later, by an aviculturist whom I know) and it seems appropriate for today, considering that winter has closed her icy hand around us all. This video is a small glimpse into the lives of two hummingbird chicks, from when they are mere eggs until the moment when they fledge. I am amazed to see how deeply the mother puts her long beak into the chicks' mouths when feeding them -- it seems almost as though she might pierce the bottom of their crops! The music is "Inspiration" by George Winston from his Spring album [3:35]
Life Science
Comments
Fascinating.
Posted by: Mark P | January 29, 2008 9:55 AM
Wow, how I wish I could see that myself.
Are they ruby throated hummers? If so, I didn't know the male also fed the babies!
Posted by: Mus | January 29, 2008 10:42 AM
that was truly wonderful...
i wondered the same thing about the beak / chick's crop, too, and wondered also about the size of the nest after 25 days - one would think it was Way Too Small for the two of them, plus mom (for continued incubation / warmth)...
Posted by: travelgirl | January 29, 2008 11:04 AM
Notice the difference in the beak length from day 30 to day 36.
Posted by: lectric lady | January 29, 2008 11:41 AM
Nice!
#4: Isn't that cool? That's typical of birds with long or otherwise modified beaks: they typically don't hatch out that way. Almost a metamorphosis. Bit of ontogeny recapitulating phylogeny?
Posted by: Sven DiMilo | January 31, 2008 2:56 PM
#2: It's San Diego, so I'd guess Anna's.
Posted by: Sven DiMilo | January 31, 2008 3:01 PM
I'd say Anna's too - and that was SO beautiful. I had no idea that they grew so quickly!
Posted by: CanadianChick | February 2, 2008 6:29 PM
How fortunate for us! Incredible growth rate, and the beak growth was indeed fascinating!
Posted by: trog69 | February 2, 2008 10:39 PM