Recently Fledged Ruby-throated Hummingbird and Evening Primrose
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds – what would summer be without them, and what better way to see them than to put up a feeder! But there can be one not so small issue up here in the White Mountains – like the one we had a month or so ago. 🤨 The cubs are very cute and entertaining, but mama is watching…
In an attempt at happily coexisting with bears, we put the feeder up during the day. We don’t want to miss the late summer craziness at the feeder as the resident adult male hummingbird fiercely defends his food source against recent fledglings (some of which are probably his offspring). He perches nearby and drives them off – sometimes 3 or 4 at a time – with squeaky chirps and occasional body slamming! This goes on for weeks and is a show not to be missed!
Luckily you don’t need a feeder to see hummingbirds. They visit many native plants – like this Evening Primrose. Pictured at right, earlier this week a young male fledgling is at least temporarily avoiding the feeder, taking nectar from the yellow primrose flowers, and maybe pollinating it at the same time.
Evening Primrose is also a host plant for the White-lined Sphinx (caterpillar at left). The adult, known as a hummingbird moth, is nocturnal, and is attracted to the primrose flowers which open at dusk and usually stay open until the sun comes up. I haven’t seen the moth yet, but I can’t wait to find one.
I watched the young male at the Evening Primrose for quite a while (pictures below). On the left you can see an open bill – maybe he just got a bug. On the top right you can see tiny red neck feathers forming a spot where its brilliant, shiny red gorget will be. On the bottom right the bird already has green metallic feathers on its back. I am sure he will come back to try again at the feeder, but am happy he has found a peaceful place to forage before beginning his long migration next month.
