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Watch a baby hummingbird grow up Watch a baby hummingbird grow up
(about 7 hours later)
Spring is springing! Already, a few of my Seattle birding pals have spotted hummingbird nests. Thus, since today is “Caturday”, I was inspired to share a video of a mother rufus hummingbird as she raises her son from hatching to fledging. In this video, you will see how fast the chick grows (especially its beak), and you’ll watch the mother feed her baby -- and you may gain an appreciation for what a delicate operation this is when you have a beak that’s half as long as your entire body! (Keep in mind that this hummingbird’s eggs are roughly the size of very small jelly beans.) Spring is springing! Already, a few of my Seattle birding pals have spotted hummingbird nests. Thus, since today is “Caturday”, I was inspired to share a video of a mother rufous hummingbird as she raises her son from hatching to fledging. In this video, you will see how fast the chick grows (especially its beak), and you’ll watch the mother feed her baby -- and you may gain an appreciation for what a delicate operation this is when you have a beak that’s half as long as your entire body! (Keep in mind that this hummingbird’s eggs are roughly the size of very small jelly beans.)
As if the stills and films in this video aren’t compelling enough, they are accompanied by the achingly beautiful “Concierto de Aranjuez for Guitar and Orchestra: II. Adagio”. So turn up the sound, sit back and watch this little gem on full screen:As if the stills and films in this video aren’t compelling enough, they are accompanied by the achingly beautiful “Concierto de Aranjuez for Guitar and Orchestra: II. Adagio”. So turn up the sound, sit back and watch this little gem on full screen:
This video was created by one of my birding pals, Ann McMillan Chaikin, who resides in Bellingham, a town on the Puget Sound just south of the US-Canada border. All films and stills were captured at Big Rock Garden Park.This video was created by one of my birding pals, Ann McMillan Chaikin, who resides in Bellingham, a town on the Puget Sound just south of the US-Canada border. All films and stills were captured at Big Rock Garden Park.
If you wish to learn more about rufus hummingbirds and see some photographs what this little fellow will look like after he grows adult plumage, you’ll want to read this. If you wish to learn more about rufous hummingbirds and see some photographs what this little fellow will look like after he grows adult plumage, you’ll want to read this.
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When she’s not spying on wild birds, GrrlScientist is very active on twitter @GrrlScientist and lurks on social media: facebook, G+, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.When she’s not spying on wild birds, GrrlScientist is very active on twitter @GrrlScientist and lurks on social media: facebook, G+, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.