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]
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Fascinating.
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!
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)...
Notice the difference in the beak length from day 30 to day 36.
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?
#2: It's San Diego, so I'd guess Anna's.
I'd say Anna's too - and that was SO beautiful. I had no idea that they grew so quickly!
How fortunate for us! Incredible growth rate, and the beak growth was indeed fascinating!