Thanks for posting, Jeff. Haven’t had any juvenile hummingbirds at my feeder, yet. Still adults of Black-chinned & Rufous. Think there’s a Black-chinned nest in a windrow of Rocky Mtn Junipers, as I see both a male & female visit the feeder & return to same opening in one of the junipers, repeatedly. It’s about at a 15 ft level, so can’t see anything from below & not going to disturb them. From past years, juvenile hummingbirds should start appearing any day now. Most common juv hummers are the BC & Rufous, for us. Calliope usually show at our location by mid-Aug.
Although I don’t have more than a few, the hummers started showing up here about a week ago. Had a fun little segue with a Calliope taking a bath in my garden hose about 2 feet from my face. Haven’t looked close at the others, but I suspect they’re juvenile Rufous. I’m putting out a second feeder today.
Think it must be habitat. The only year I had numbers like yours, was 1988, summer of Yellowstone fires. I had 3 feeders draining daily with: Broad-tailed, Rufous, Calliope & a few Black-chinned. After that, for about 10 yrs, our most numerous hummer was Broad-tailed. Then, became Black-chinned. And, that’s been our typical summer resident hummer, since. BT have about disappeared, only a couple Fall migrants, usually late Aug.
I wonder if it’s habitat difference. We have some nearby riparian area with Rapid Creek west, but lots of open fields and aspen/pine fir boundaries. We’ve both been feeding for years.
Don’t have near your numbers, Bill. But, getting both male & female adult Rufous & Black-chinned Hummingbirds hitting the nectar, esp AM & evening time. No juveniles yet.
Juvenile-wise: numerous BH Grosbeak, Bullock’s Oriole, Robin, Spotted Towhee, Yellow Warbler young about. Best bird this AM was a Gray Catbird working through backyard streamside willows. Only a handful of House Wrens this year, usually have a dozen + about.
Filled three 4 cup feeders today. Several Rufous are in area, based on seeing them side by side and plumage variation, loads of others. Turkeys poults are starting to show up following their minders in and out of grasses.
Four Sandhills hanging around and young are flying, one smaller than others. Spent part of afternoon in field in shade.
Wow, small world for sure ! :). I will contact Joe (by the way, I read the same book and it was awesome) and if he okays it, I will send you his email address to forward to your friend. Stay tuned 🙂
Jeff
Home of Idaho Birding and the Idaho Bird Records Committee
