Do Rufous Hummingbirds Sing

It is a very rare occasion when I begin composition of this weekly wildlife article before an image has been taken to accompany it.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The excitement I have in observation of a Rufous Hummingbird (a lifer) is resulting in what is commonly called insomnia. I'll likely squeeze in a couple hours sleep while I fear I will not wake in time to experience this spectacle now committed to. My thanks are extended to Stan Damon for his invitation to see this species which has been present for at least 16 days before dawn on 8 October in Lehigh Acres. I hope for the best considering a steady rain for the last five hours. Stan, Vince McGrath, and Vince's longtime friend Ed Becker from New Hampshire will be making a trip to the sod fields this morning with my envy of that trip as well. There has been an abundance of rain these past weeks in our subtropical climate which will impact spring observations already thought about. A ray of sunlight at dawn in observation of the hummer is hoped for decent photography and documentation of the bird. Before the observation effort I have had the thought, "Do hummingbirds sing," like commonly seen birds? Investigation has divulged that hummingbirds have a very rapid chirping. Their song is nearly overwhelmed by the flapping of its wings which sounds like a bee when the bird is on the move. I recommend you research this further. The rain has stopped and the night sky appears to be clearing. I can finally get to sleep now. The morning was not a loss after sleeping through the clock's alarm. I got a wake up call from Tom Obrock advising me that he was observing the hummingbird. By the time I got to the Damon home, Tom was in Alva observing Merlin and Red-headed Woodpecker. Mrs. Damon was a very gracious and enjoyable host to spend the late morning with. Mitzi coined the Merlin as the Cheetah of the Falcon world after I noted it as the fastest predator I had yet seen. Mitzi and I watched the hummingbird appear numerous times in less than a few hours time. In fact there were two of the species observed with thought of female or juvenile with the dominant male. The sightings were made from from a distance of sixty plus feet. This was especially far to observe and photograph a bird less than four inches in length. I was reluctant to get closer until I had an understanding of the behavior of the bird. The Rufous Hummingbird is known to have territorial dominance over other hummer species twice its weight as well as those of its own kind. A follow-up visit was made to the Damon's place on day 21 of the Rufous Hummingbird's presence. I met Mitzi walking her dog while driving through the neighborhood before dawn. I greeted Stan a few minutes later as he was picking up the morning newspaper. We immediately began our observation for the hummer which appeared on cue. The hummingbird put on an incredible show as it darted from one citrus tree perch to another. The bird's tongue was seen frequently as it seemingly tasted the air (hummingbirds are thought to have have minimal taste function and don't taste the air) while it indulged in preening itself on a few occasions. The dominant male was the only Rufous Hummingbird personally observed this day although Stan has photographic evidence of four distinct birds of this species in his backyard since the Rufous Hummingbird's first sighting. The time passed all too quickly as I enjoyed viewing photographs Stan has taken of the wildlife he's seen in the area. Ruth Woodall, a Birdpatrol guide, and Ken Hodgson, Caloosa Bird Club Chairman and New Yorker, arrived before I parted ways. The Caloosa Bird Club is celebrating its 53rd year. One of the most remarkable stories I heard was of a Snail Kite that was consumed for breakfast by a Great Horned Owl in Stan's front yard. Stan advised me that the Peregrine Falcon has quicker mobility than Merlin with PEFA noted as the fastest animal in the world. Although Vince has speculated that the Rufous Hummingbird(s) may overwinter in Lehigh Acres, Stan commented to me that he believes the dominant bird is recovering from a molt, and may move on when its feathers are grown in. There was discussion of a wildlife venue I have yet visited which I hope to be able to mention in detail in the future with Ruth's approval.

The Northern Cardinal above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The Mourning Dove above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The female Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon Residence in October 2012.

The Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon Residence in October 2012.

The Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

The Rufous Hummingbird above was photographed at the Damon residence in October 2012.

Natural History At Harns Marsh Preserve

Since my discovery of the nest of Black-necked Stilt last week at Harns Marsh Preserve I've been especially compelled to return and investigate.

The American White Pelican juvenile above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2011.

Much enjoyment has been had in observing the behavior of five Black-necked Stilt that are active in the area of the nest.

Time allowed for two trips to the preserve this week with the first under overcast conditions which made for more difficult photography of the birds than usual.

The Bald Eagle above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2011.

One of the memorable things about my first visit at Harns Marsh this week was the aroma of the weeds which have not yet been mowed down this year.

I was able to determine that there are four eggs in the stilt nest in the marsh which is typical for the species.

The Common Gallinule above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2011.

David Sibley's Guide to Bird Life and Behavior offers a brief by Wayne R. Petersen which notes the incubation period of stilts at 19-26 days.

Since I don't know the day(s) the eggs were laid, the precise window of opportunity of a few days to document the hatching of the eggs remains uncertain.

The Black-bellied Whistling-Duck above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2011.

It's my intent however to document this natural history event if I am able.

An additional behavioral action of the stilt seen, though not noted by Petersen, is how the birds will shake their legs free of mud in their approach to the nest.

The Black-necked Stilt above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2011.

While numerous species of wading birds and American White Pelicans (believed to all be juveniles) flew overhead, the birds were not in as great numbers as seen last week.

Black-crowned Night-Herons were completely absent while I was chided by Tom Obrock in my failure to see Sandhill Crane at the marsh which were not observed visually until the most recent visit to the marsh.

The Black-necked Stilt above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2011.

On my way back to the car, I met Stan Damon who told me he was at Harns Marsh to conduct bird counts for the Lee County Bird Patrol.

These numbers will be used by the county in part to determine losses once real estate activity kicks into gear again.

The Black-necked Stilt (false brooding technique) above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2011.

Stan also told be of his observation of a Roseate Spoonbill and Limpkin having a scuffle on a previous visit to the marsh and mentioned his recent pelagic trip across the Gulf Stream off the Florida east coast to observe migratory species.

Tom had made a trip to the marsh the same day as my first visit of the week and reported 39 species of bird seen though he noted he "dumped" on the sighting of Black-bellied Whistling-Duck.

Stan Damon above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2011.

This species was seen on my first visit of the week after Bob Blanchard's reported sighting and photography of the ducks earlier.

I believe the species was added to the checklist for Harns Marsh Preserve the day before.

The Black-necked Stilt above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2011.

I observed four of the ducks and managed to produce some really horrible images of them.

The Black-bellied Whistling-Duck is a very rare visitor to Florida's west coast while commonly seen on the Atlantic side of the Florida peninsula.

The Mottled Duck above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2011.

My latter visit this week to Harns Marsh was more enjoyable with much better light due to the lack of clouds in the early morning.

There was somewhat of a concern upon my arrival as a couple dozen Black Vultures stood guard at the entrance to the parking area.

The Mottled Duck juvenile above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2011.

My immediate thought was the damage these beasts are reported to do to vehicles at Everglades National Park.

Fortunately this bunch hasn't reached the stage of destructive behavior in the least.

The Black-necked Stilt above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2011.

As is the norm, there were a lot of birds in flight overhead and I experimented with photography of white and darker birds against a very bright background mainly unsuccessfully.

Red-winged Blackbird were again commonly seen while the Black-necked Stilt offered some very interesting behavioral action.

The Black-necked Stilt above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2011.

Petersen's descriptions of stilt behavior has been seen first hand with the broken wing technique used frequently by Black-necked Stilt at the marsh.

One of the stilt observed also engaged in false brooding behavior at times.

The Red-winged Blackbird above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2011.

A behavior I found most rewarding was the changing of the guard, so to speak, as the adult stilts took turns incubating the eggs in the nest.

Black-necked Stilts as well as American Avocets are among relatively few shorebirds whose sex is easily determined by sight.

The Little Blue Heron (1st Spring) above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2011.

In the case of Black-necked Stilt, the female has a brownish back while the male has a glossy black back.

I failed to note which of the stilt was on the nest upon my arrival, but observed at one point the female relieve the male from incubation duties.

The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2011.

A short while later the female left the nest briefly for no apparent reason.

It was interesting to learn that Black-necked Stilt upon hatching may leave the nest within hours to begin feeding on their own to garner from their parents merely the knowledge of threats around them.

The Snowy Egret with Black-necked Stilt above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2011.

Of the five stilt I've been observing, I question whether three of them are from the previous year's brood with this unlikely as the stilt is considered seasonally monogamous.

A trio of juvenile Mottled Duck perhaps only a couple of days old walked by the stilt nest ahead of a mature Mottled Duck which apparently were not considered a threat to the stilt.

The Wood Stork with White Ibis above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2011.

Tom had advised me this week of his observation of the Black-necked Stilt aggressively defending its nest against the significantly larger Sandhill Crane which was observed by him to approach too closely to the stilt nest.

A Snowy Egret was permitted a very close walk by the nest as observed on my latter visit to the marsh this week as it fed successfully in the shallow water.

The White Ibis juvenile above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2011.

The stilt are tolerant of Common Gallinule near the stilt nest as well.

A very long distance sighting of Least Bittern was made and photographed on my latter visit to the marsh confirmed by Vince Lucas.

The Black-necked Stilt (broken wing technique) above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2011.

A future visit to Harns Marsh will hopefully allow for the recovery of the inner sole of my velcro strap sneaker worn for water photography lost this week.

I knew the sneakers, which need to be replaced about every few months, were on their last leg and pushed their usefulness one trip too many.

The Least Bittern above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2011.

As I emerged from the marsh, Sandhill Crane with juveniles were finally observed this season evidently well fed considering the photos Tom had taken a couple of weeks earlier.

I merely waited for the birds to walk by me for close observation of them.

The Sandhill Crane above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2011.

The official start of the Florida rainy season next week is likely to be very disruptive to the marsh and its inhabitants to renew the next cycle of life again.

The bulldozer has continued to have pieces of it removed on seemingly each successive visit to the marsh.

The dismembered bulldozer above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2011.