Birding in Maine» birds

Fight of the Hummingbirds

John Briggs — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 18:31:11 +0000

While most of the birds that visit our backyards only defend a breeding territory, Hummingbirds are one of the few birds that will defend a food source. Just about anywhere that a Hummingbird finds food, it will fight to defend it even along its migration route to Central America.

The long drawn-out territorial fights can sometimes lead to injury or death, either from exhaustion or from the fighting techniques used by the aggressor. These delicate little birds will sometimes attack larger birds, such as Cardinals and even Crows.

Bird Photography: Hummingbirds Fighting

Wednesday was a beautiful day featuring bright blue skies and cool temperatures. I cleaned and refilled our ten Hummingbird nectar feeders and took them outside to hang them back up. Once back inside the house, I watched the Hummers fill themselves with fresh nectar. All seemed to be happy with four female and five male Hummingbirds divvying up the feeders among themselves.

Suddenly, a male came streaking through the air and knocked another male from its perch on one of the feeders. The aggressor then made himself comfortable on the feeder hanger and began to preen. I quickly grabbed my camera and went to my favorite spot for photographing Hummingbirds, our bedroom window.

It wasn’t long and another male came by the feeder and the fight was on! Twirling, chattering and tumbling end-over-end in mid air, the pair fell to the ground. As they lay there in the grass, the male Hummingbirds used their bills just like they were swords. It wasn’t long until the dominant male had the other male flat on the ground, standing on top of it and stomping and clawing at the poor soul.

I couldn’t believe that this was happening within a few feet of where I stood and well within range to get photos of the altercation, and even video footage. I snapped away as if there were no tomorrow, hoping that my camera setting were close enough for at least half decent captures.

There were two separate fights between these two Hummingbirds. The first lasted about 30 seconds, and once the aggressor finished stomping the crap out of the other bird, they both flew away. The second fight lasted much longer. This time, the aggressor stomped and clawed at the other for about a minute and a half. I began to worry as the Hummingbird that was laying flat on its back stopped moving.

I thought about intervening, but just left nature take its course. Finally, the aggressor flew away, but the poor bird laying on the ground looked like it was dead. I slowly walked toward the motionless bird, quietly asking “Are you okay little fella?” When I was about six feet away, I noticed some movement and I stopped and watched the Hummingbird. Suddenly, with a chatter, the bird flew up into a nearby maple tree where it began preening its ruffled feathers.

I’ve watched Hummingbirds fight in mid air and tumble around on the feeders, but I have never witnessed these birds driving each other into the ground. I was completely awe stricken, with emotions ranging from wonder to worry thrown into the mix. I just couldn’t grasp the fact that these little jewels could be so violent.

Enjoy the photos and video from this incredible encounter, which I call the Fight of the Hummingbirds.

The following photos were taken with a Canon 7D and a Canon 400mm f/4 L IS lens. Simply click one of the thumbnails below for a full-sized view, and then use your arrow key to navigate through the rest of the photos. ©2011 John Briggs Photography | All Rights Reserved

The following video shows the aggressive Hummingbird giving the other a good stomping and then both flying away. I have other video clips showing the stomping and clawing in greater detail, which I will post on my Google+ page sometime this weekend.

Dimension: 560×480 | Video bit rate: 1000Kbps | length: 17 seconds
Playback: Click Play Button | Broadband Connection Recommended
Video: Fight of the Hummingbirds | ©2011 John Briggs Photography

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4j9f7bbFe4

Happy birding!

World Bird Wednesday

Baltimore Oriole

John Briggs — Tue, 24 May 2011 14:37:46 +0000

Baltimore Oriole – Icterus galbula

The Baltimore Oriole, with its flute-like song, is a bird we eagerly anticipate every Spring. We place orange halves and grape jelly feeders throughout the yard hoping to attract these beautiful birds. The Baltimore Oriole was late arriving in our part of Maine this year. Cold, wet weather with unfavorable winds delayed the northward migration until conditions improved during the mid-May time period.

Over the last six years, we’ve had five seasons of nesting Baltimore Orioles in our yard, with last year being a banner year. The summer of 2010 brought three nesting pairs to our property, with 10 successfully fledged young visiting our feeders. This Spring, I’ve counted 4 males and 3 females, one of the males being a first year juvenile. The pairing has already begun, with one pair in our crabapple tree near the edge of the cove and another pair in a mighty oak tree on the opposite side of our property. The remaining individuals mostly hang out in our neighbors pear trees.

The possible reasons for our success in attracting and keeping the Baltimore Oriole could be that we have the only Oriole feeders in the area. I did a survey last summer that showed the closest feeding station for Orioles was three miles from our home, which was located in the north end of Bath. Another reason I believe this bird is attracted to the area may be because there are many fruit trees in the vicinity that are in bloom during the time period that the Baltimore Oriole migrates.

Bird Photography: Baltimore Oriole

I captured photos of the first Baltimore Orioles to arrive on May 17th. I hope you enjoy the following photos and video of this beautiful bird.

HD Video: Female Baltimore Oriole

Dimension: 560×480 | Video bit rate: 1000Kbps | length: 54 seconds
Playback: Click Play Button | Broadband Connection Recommended
HD Video: Female Baltimore Oriole | ©2011 John Briggs Photography

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvgjuyV4JzI

Happy birding!

World Bird Wednesday

Nesting Osprey

John Briggs — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 23:14:00 +0000

Osprey – Pandion haliaetus

I took advantage of crystal clear blue skies Friday morning to photography the nesting activity of a pair of Osprey on the campus of the Southern Maine Community College. The nest is on a man-made platform, just off a pier at the terminus of Fort Road, in Casco Bay. I had 3 hours before class and hoped to see both male and female Osprey on the nest.

When I arrived on the pier, the female Osprey was huddled low on the nest to offset the effects of the cold and wind. Several minutes later, two Osprey flew low over the nest and the female rose from her huddled position to give several scolding calls to the pair.

The bay was busy with waterfowl, including American Wigeon, Common Eider, Long-tailed Ducks, Common Loon and Horned Grebe. Gulls followed several lobster boats as lobstermen motored across the bay to check their traps. Ferries shuttled commuters from the islands of Casco Bay to the terminal in Portland Harbor. A near perfect morning, with the exception of the cold northwest winds.

After watching the female Osprey sit on the nest for nearly an hour, I heard another Osprey call overhead. It was hubby, and he had romantic intentions for the Misses. She was receptive, kneeling with her rear raised, but the male over-corrected and landed to far up on her back. It was somewhat comical watching the pair in this position for a full minute before the female shrugged her shoulders and the male hopped off. Maybe he will get it right the next time.

I will be watching this pair throughout the summer, hoping to see the young and their interaction with their parents. I may even get lucky and see the juveniles leave the nest for the first time. I will keep you up to date with photos and videos of this Osprey family over the course of the next several months.

Happy birding!

Snowy Day Birds

John Briggs — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 23:09:31 +0000

During the snowstorm Tuesday, I photographed birds taking cover in our recycled Christmas tree. The tree was removed from our home a week after Christmas and placed outside, near the feeders, giving birds a safe place to weather storms. We attached several large pine cones, smeared with peanut butter and bird seed, to the tree and it has become a very popular spot among our resident birds.

Several more snow storms are forecasted during the next week, with one on Friday and another on Tuesday. Add to this a bitter cold spell through the foreseeable future. Our birds will appreciate the food, water and cover we have for them even more during the harsh winter weather.

All photos taken with a Canon 7D and a Canon 400mm f/4 L IS lens. Simply click a photo below for a full-sized view. Use arrow key to cycle through photos once enlarged.

Happy birding!

Photo of the Day: Red-breasted Nuthatch

John Briggs — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 14:54:58 +0000

Red-breasted Nuthatch – Sitta canadensis

Also know as my little buddy.

The Red-breasted Nuthatch is my favorite bird. We have a pair wintering here at home, and along with the Chickadees, hang around the feeders when I fill them.

I took the following photo this morning, the day after a huge nor’easter raked the state of Maine with heavy snow and very high winds. Here in Bath, I recorded 16 1/2″ of snow which fell at the rate of 2″-3″ an hour during the height of the storm. Just before daylight, I shoveled a path to the feeding stations and cleaned and filled the feeders. Once the sun rose, guess who was the first bird to the feeder? My little buddy of course!

All photos taken with a Canon 7D and a Canon 400mm f/4 L IS lens. Simply click the photo below for a full-sized view.

Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis

Happy birding!