The Green-bellied Hummingbird (Amazilia viridigaster) has finally arrived this year in Kabalebo! Welcome back little fellow!
Since the arrival of feeders near the lodge, I have seen some regular visitors among the hummingbirds. The Black-throated Mango, the female in particular, is one of them. In return for this extra treat, she gives me the chance to observe her during her nesting period … for the second time.
When you take a quick look at these pictures, you will think that they are related to each other…. pointy long beaks, shimmering colors and also small birds. But they are not related to each other; one is a hummingbird (Crimson Topaz) and the other is a Jacamar (Green-tailed Jacamar)
After being away for a month I knew I had a lot of catching up to do. By the look of the water level in the Kabalebo River it is clear that the rainy season has already started.
Since 2013 I am anxiously waiting for this fellow to pay us a visit: the Green-bellied Hummingbird. He pays us a visit between February and May every year since 2013. And for this year he officially arrived at Kabalebo on March 14, 2015.
The Black-throated Mango is one of the dominant and aggressive hummingbirds that I have met in Kabalebo. Meaning that they defend their territory with all their might and are not afraid to chase other birds, bigger than them, away. I have seen many Black-throated Mango's nests near the lodge or area. But they were always built on top of a tree branch, higher than 4 meters. This time I was lucky to observe one nest in particular that was built on a lower level.
In this article it is all about the nesting complete with pictures. Enjoy! Hummingbirds are known for their unique way of flying and of course their colorful feather display. They are amongst the smallest and fastest birds in the world, which also makes it into a challenge for me to photograph and identify them correctly. But once I succeed I forget about the whole endure. Patience and perseverance are the best ingredients for success. The Crimson Topaz (Topaza pella) was one of my greatest challenges. Most of the time I've seen the Crimson Topaz on the river, feeding from blossoming flowers of the Inga tree or the Monkey Brush vine. Imagine to try and take a picture on a moving and unstable boat: Mission Impossible (for me)!! What makes the Crimson Topaz so special for me is that in the first place it is the largest hummingbird (19 cm length) I've seen so far in Kabalebo. Second is of course its color display. This is where the sun needs to be involved too. Because without the sunlights it looks like a dull looking hummer. But when the 'lights' are on ….. an incredible plumage set on FIRE!! Not only did I manage to photograph the colorful display … I was also fortunate to witness their breeding system. March 27 - 30th, 2014: I went to check on the River Cabins when I suddenly heard a familiar sound. In a split second I found the culprit: a handsome male Crimson Topaz. Since the River Cabins are near the Kabalebo river it was no surprise to see him there. The Monkey Brush vine (Combretum rotundifolium) was blooming in abundance. March 31 - April 1st 2014: I noticed that he was defending the vine with all his might. Constantly chasing away other hummers (Fork-tailed Woodnymph and Grey-breasted Sabrewings), except for one particular hummer: a female Crimson Topaz (of course) It became clear that he wanted to mate with her, since he was very polite towards the female. Suddenly I noticed a second male was also in the neighborhood: rival Crimson Topaz (villain Crimson …) The second one was even more aggressive in his approach towards the female. Right above me he rudely tried to 'waltz' with her (so it seems) …. giving me of course also the opportunity to 'capture' this unique moment. The villain had something to prove … he is the main MAN, the center of attention or the boss. Either way he proved his point by showing off his delightful feathers in direct sunlight. I would rather call him MAN ON FIRE!! He was one hot little hummer. And he was right … I was stunned. April 3 - 5, 2014: the female didn't mind all the attention. She just wanted to feed on the nectar.
Between March 27 - April 5, 2014, I was present between 10.00 - 11.00/14.30 - 17.00 hours. I have to admit that those were also the unbearable hours during the time. But also the best time for some action and also see the beautiful colors too at the same time. All three were also used with my presence, allowing me to get closer for some memorable shots. On April 6th 2014 all three were gone. Possibly one of them succeeded in his mission. They surely went their separate way. While I was observing the Reddish Hermit taking care of her hatchlings, other hummingbirds also joined the nesting club. This time it was the Rufous-breasted Hermit … and it was a short observation too. - August 25, 2014: her nest was found on one leaf of a small branch. A simple nest made out of dry grass, cobwebs, lichens and one dry papaya leaf. Inside the nest I found 2 white oval eggs. Just like the Reddish Hermit, the Rufous-breasted Hermit also sits in her nest facing the leaf with her head tilted to her back. - August 27, 2014: she was out for a quick break. There were still 2 eggs inside. Most of the time she was sitting in her nest. - August 29, 2014: this was kind of frustrating for me (and also for the bird I guess). The incubation was suddenly disrupted. Upon arriving I found her nest on the ground. Somehow the leaf broke off. Both eggs were gone, probably been eaten by Amazon whiptails. I still see the Rufous-breasted Hermit nearby, but for her next nesting I still need to be patient. I kept her nest with the broken leaf as a reminder, until this day (November 6, 2014) the nest still looks strong. And that for such a simple construction.
It was a very busy period. While I was observing the Reddish hermit and her little family, I also noticed that other hummingbirds were busy nesting: - Rufous-breasted hermit - Black - throated mango - Fork-tailed woodnymph Of course I also wanted to witness their incubation period, so this meant that I had to cover a lot of areas. I checked their nests after work, so I did not have to rush. In this post: the last week of observing the Reddish hermit nesting. - September 6, 2014: the feathers are now darker then before. Still both of the hatchlings' eyes are still closed. I did notice that the first born's beak is now a bit longer (starting to look like a little hummer) - September 8, 2014: the female is resting on a nearby branch. Now the nest is too small for both chicks. I can finally see that both of them can open their eyes. It was also possible that their eyes were already open, but that they were sleeping when I was there. - September 10, 2014: here is when I am getting worried about their nest. Will it hold? - September 13, 2014: it finally happened. When I arrived the mother was sitting on a nearby branch. The first born was sitting at the edge of the nest and ….. it started to fly. Not very far of course. It looked like it was doing some trial flights. - September 14, 2014: both of them were doing trial flights. This was also the last day that I visited their nest, because the next day they were all gone, leaving behind an empty nest.
It all happened so fast, from the discovery until the flying out part … but I am also very happy to have witnessed this all. Almost a week ago, I posted the first stage of the Reddish hermit's nest observation. As it is one of the smallest hummingbird, I've seen so far, I felt like I've just won the Jackpot after the discovery of her nest. Now that the first out of the 2 eggs already hatched, I also felt very excited. But all kind of questions also went through my mind: - Will it survive? - Will the second egg also hatch? - Shall I also witness how they'll fly out? In this post I would like to share how the incubation/feeding continued. As I don't want to disturb the female and her little family a lot, I decided to check on them 4 times a week instead of everyday. - August 29, 2014: when I arrived, the mother was outside her nest. The first born started to grow beautifully and .... the second egg had also hatched. Her family is complete. - August 31, 2014: both hatchlings were doing fine. Mother was nearby hawking for insects. - September 2, 2014: on this day I noticed that both hatchlings are starting to become beautiful little birds. Tiny feathers, but still a bit naked. Their eyes were still closed. I spotted the mother under some leaves, busy hawking for insects ... feeding time. - September 4, 2014: the little hummers are well being taken care of by their mother. Since they grow so fast, there isn't enough space for their mother to sit in the nest. So she sits outside close to her nest. Next week I'll post the last nest observation of this Reddish hermit family. Enjoy!
About 2 months ago, I wrote about the second smallest hummingbird, I've seen in Kabalebo: the Reddish Hermit. In this post I would like to share about their nesting. - August 24, 2014: during a hike in the Beechcrafttrail, one of our guides discovered a hummingbird's nest. After being informed, I went to see it for myself. after 20 minutes - slow pace - walk I also found it. Well hidden behind a prickly palm, made at the inside of a leaf. The nest was, as it seems to be, made out of cobwebs, moss and dead grass. Two tiny white eggs were inside. The female was sitting outside her nest, resting. - August 25, 2014: this time when I arrived, I found her sitting in her nest. She was facing the leaf with her head tilted to her back. - August 27, 2014: when I arrived, the female was outside her nest. I had a quick look inside her nest: 1 egg had hatched, the second didn't. Next week, I'll let you know how the nesting period ended. Enjoy!
Recently the Rufous - breasted Hermit (Glaucis hirsutus) joined the elite club, the club that is attracted by the hummingbird feeders. The Rufous - breasted Hermit was one of the hummingbirds that first refused to sip from the feeder. For years I've always seen it near blossoming flowers, especially palulu plants, or I've seen it hawking for insects. What I like about this hermit is that it has a significant trademark: its tail will automatically move up and down when its resting on a branch. Almost like the little fellow is cooling down via its tail feathers. The Rufous - breasted Hermit was also difficult to photograph: fast, restless and agile .... until now. On July the second 2014, I was minding my own business doing some paperwork in the lodge. As the lodge is an open space there are some feeders hanging everywhere. Also near the desk, where out of nowhere the Rufous-breasted Hermit appeared. Shocked, disorientated and bewildered are the right words to describe how the hummingbird looked like at that moment. It wasn't sipping the sugar water just like the others, no ... instead it was drinking like crazy. It looked like it was starving and had no energy left in its tiny body. At first I didn't understand the situation at all, but after doing some research it became clear why it behaved like that. It appears that hummingbirds use a lot of energy, even during the night when resting. When day breaks they are starving and need to energize, explaining why I see the hummingbirds a lot during the mornings and late afternoons near the feeders. The reason why the Rufous - breasted Hermit looked so bewildered, was that the night before we experienced heavy rainfall with strong wind. It was possible that the Rufous-breasted Hermit had a rough difficult night, forcing him to use his reserve during the night. This explains why he was drinking the sugar water like his life depended on it. The good news however is that the Rufous-breasted Hermit was so grateful that since that day it also comes by regularly to the feeders. Trying to attract more hummingbirds closer to the lodge, was one of my first projects in Kabalebo. The main reason was, and still is, to observe these tiny energetic creatures. Getting to know them much better and of course getting used to them. It wasn't an easy project for me by the way, had to overcome some obstacles along the way:
But after weeks of mistrials and failures, I finally found the right measurement and spot. Of course I felt uncertain if the hummingbirds would appear, but as many of you already know, it takes time to make a project work. My patience was put to the test and it was rewarded, I managed to attract the first hummer to the feeder: Fork - tailed woodnymph (Thalurania furcata) I guess he appreciated the extra treat, because afterwards he never left. A few months later these hummingbirds also enjoyed the sugar water:
Everyday is a celebration day for me, seeing the hummingbirds enjoy their treat. And of course the possibility to observe them at a closer level is something that I didn't expect at all. Of course it is extra work for me now to clean and refill the feeders, but seeing the hummers enjoy the treat is the best reward I can ever get.
Recently, on the third of July, the Rufous - breasted Hermit (Glaucis hirsutus) finally joined this elite club. In my next post I will tell you more about it. But for now, I am very glad that my hummingbird project is slowly progressing. And who knows who's next. Small, agile, colorful and beautiful. Words that best describe hummingbirds. They are also known as the jewels of the jungle. Their colorful feathers are best displayed when fully exposed under direct sunlight. No wonder that they also top the list of one of the most photographed wild birds. Tiny wonders that are able to bring joy to every bird or nature lover. Amazingly they use a lot more energy then other animals, energy that they constantly refill by sipping nectar and sugar water. In one of my previous hummingbird posts I already introduced the smallest hummingbird: the Amethyst Woodstar. Exciting as always it is my privilege to introduce the second smallest hummingbird of Kabalebo: the Reddish Hermit. Both the Amethyst Woodstar and the Reddish Hermit share some similarities:
- they're both smaller then a cigarette pack - both weigh less then 3 grams - both make bumblebee sounds with their wings Unlike the Amethyst Woodstar the Reddish Hermit is more common in Kabalebo, but still difficult to spot .... let alone photograph. Most of the times I spotted the Reddish Hermits on Inga trees, attracted by the blossoming flowers ..... along side the river. Because of its bumblebee size and sound I always needed a second good look to spot it. By the time you noticed it, it was always too late. Either the hummingbird took off or the boat just passed by too fast. They say patience is a virtue and mine was finally rewarded on July 2, 2014. The Reddish Hermit was attracted by the blossoming flowers near the lodge. Just like the other hummingbirds it got closer and closer, not bothered by human presence. The only thing the Reddish hermit was so focused on was to get as close as possible to the nectar. I've been observing the Fork - tailed Woodnymphs' nest for quite a while now. I've taken many pictures of the female during incubation time. They say that behind every picture there lies a story, but not all of them have a happy ending. But still .... they all are interesting enough to tell. Sadly to say, this is my last article about her nesting. For those who read all of my previous articles about the Fork - tailed Woodnymphs' nesting would have noticed that for me everyday was an exciting day. It felt like I got closer to the answer to that one particular question: When are the eggs going to hatch? It was also a joy to see her in action (gathering nest material, doing some wiggling in her nest and drinking from the feeder) Everybody here got used to the hummingbird and her nesting. After observing her for more then a week now, I reduced my time from 60 minutes to 30 minutes and then 15 minutes. Everyday I noticed a certain system in her routine: for 20 - 35 minutes she sat in her nest, when there was no heavy wind and rain. She usually took a break for about 8 - 14 minutes. I also saw her visiting the other feeders and flowers, spread at different locations near the lodge. Quite understandable as she is also a territorial hummingbird and needs to make her round. As usual I always check from a safe distance if she is in her nest. On June 26 2014, I did the same. She wasn't in her nest that morning so I decided to take a quick look inside her nest. And guess what .... no eggs inside. I immediately looked everywhere on the ground to see if they fell out of the nest. Nothing nearby, not even a little scattered egg shell. The nest was left undamaged. I guess that she had a surprise visit the night before from an unwelcoming guest. Surely I felt really sad that day as I got used to her and her eggs. But that's how nature works ...... some survive the ordeal some not. I can't really blame the culprit for it has to survive too.
The good news however is that the female Fork - tailed Woodnymph is still alive and well. I still see her everyday at the feeders, like nothing ever happened. Well who knows ...... Hummingbirds are a joy to watch. During the daytime they use a lot of energy and to keep their little motor running, they need a lot of energetic fuel (nectar and sugar water) No wonder that hummingbirds are amongst my favorites. They are small, energetic and colorful. Can you imagine a hummingbird hatchling? How tiny can that be. That is why I was so excited with the Fork - tailed Woodnymphs' nesting. Because every day brought me closer to the answer of one important question: When are the eggs going to hatch? In my previous posts I had already written about 6 days of observing the Fork - tailed Woodnymphs' nest. In this post is about day 7, day 8 and day 9. On the seventh day, June 21, exactly a week after the 'discovery', I've noticed some small changes. She first stops for a drink at the feeder before going into her nest. On this day she started to fix her nest from the outside, this by bringing small pieces of bark. I've seen her using her own saliva to let it stick on the outside of her nest. This 'sticky' performance went on for quite a while. On the eight day of observing her nest, June 22, she stayed most of the time in her nest. That day was a rainy and windy day so she was forced to stay in her nest to protect her eggs. I changed the sugar water with fresh one and it was immediately noticed by the other hummingbirds. Both the male Fork - tailed Woodnymph and the Grey - breasted Sabrewings were drinking very often. They were also busy chasing each other far away from the feeder, but without any success. The Female didn't mind it at all, because she was busy the whole day protecting her eggs. On the ninth day, June 23, she was collecting more nest material. With all that rain and wind she had to endure the day before, she wanted to make sure that her nest was strong and stable. So I saw a lot of wiggling that day. Quite a show: it looked like she was having fun and did a little dance. To be continued .....
In my previous blog post I wrote about the 'discovery' of the Fork - tailed Wood-nymph's nest. I am still so excited about it. Knowing that I'm about to witness a miracle: "The birth of possibly two hummingbirds." On the third day of observing her nest, June 17, she already got used to having the feeder nearby. When she flew out of her nest, she first took a sip or two from the feeder and then she left the area. I've noticed that she always returned back with more nest material. It is quite a funny show to watch too. When she arrived with nest material in her small beak, it looked like she's wearing a mustache. The material was then shoved inside the nest and by wiggling her whole small body, they were being put into place. I think that she was using her tiny legs to spread the material underneath her and the eggs. On the fourth day, June 18, I didn't see a lot of action going on. She was doing her thing: incubating and gathering more nest material. This was why I got distracted by other birds: - a large group of Lined Seed - eaters was passing by - a whole bunch of Crested Oropendolas started to eat the mango fruits - same goes for the Silver - beaked, Blue - Grey and Palm tanagers - and last but not least .... the Grey - lined Hawk, immature, passed by too Finally .... there was some action on the fifth and sixth day of observing the nest: June 19 and June 20. I changed the old sugar water with some fresh one and I was immediately surrounded by other hummingbirds (..... okay, I am exaggerating a little bit. They came by every 5 minutes to drink from the feeder)
Who passed by? - male Fork - tailed Woodnymph, possibly the future father - 2 Grey - breasted Sabrewings who were constantly fighting over the feeder - 1 Long - tailed Hermit The female Fork - tailed Woodnymph didn't seem to mind all the commotion near her nest. To be continued ............ Hummingbirds: tiny and agile birds. For years they bring joy with their presence in Kabalebo. Sipping nectar from flowers or searching for tiny insects .... always on the move. I started to put out hummingbird feeders to enjoy even more of their presence. For both of us it was a win-win situation: I get to see them even more frequently and they get their extra treat. Since they know that food isn't scarce all year long in Kabalebo and nobody is bothering them at all, they started to feel very comfortable and safe in our presence. So safe that they started to build their nest nearby and let us witness the birth of the next hummingbird generation. In this article: the Fork - Tailed Woodnymph # 1 The Fork - Tailed Woodnymph (Thalurania furcata) is a common hummingbird in Kabalebo. Both male and female are seen here on a regular basis. After I introduced the feeder to them in 2012, it was as if they were in heaven. Since that day they never left the scene. I always am amazed by hummingbirds and I often wonder about their nest or the incubation period. My patience was finally rewarded on June 15th, 2014. Her nest was discovered accidentally, it was perfectly hidden away between big mango leaves and the best part ..... it is only 1.5 meter up from ground level ... great to observe everything. No need to climb in trees or use a ladder. It was the cutest nest I've ever seen: 3.5 cm wide and 2.5 cm deep. The nest is made out of fine fibers, fine grass, cobwebs and lichens. The female was gone, so I had a quick sneak peek: 2 oval white eggs as big as an M&M chocolate peanut. Excited by this 'accidental' discovery, I immediately let everybody know about the nest. Meaning: "Please don't bother the bird." As everybody here now know that I'm an enthusiastic birdwatcher they respected my request. I also put a feeder nearby for her. I observed the nest for 2 hours that day: besides sitting on the eggs, she also brought in more nest material to strengthen her nest. On the second day, June 16th 2014, I noticed that she drank frequently from the feeder that I had put out for her. I noticed that the Fork - Tailed Woodnymph male also drank from the feeder. It is possible that he is the future father, because he was making a lot of noise when he was near the nest. I noticed that she sits at least 15 - 20 minutes on the eggs and then leaves the nest. During the day she gathered even more nest material. Around 5 o'clock in the afternoon there was a strong wind. The branch where she has her nest started to swing a lot. She immediately flew back into her nest and made herself almost as one with her nest (like a lid on a pot) She was making sure that her eggs were safe during this rough windy situation. You have got to admire her bravery and love for her babies (eggs).
To be continued ....... Hummingbirds are known for their tiny size, shimmering colors and their unique way of flying in front of flowers. As I already said, hummingbirds are one of my favorites, here in Suriname they are also known as kolibries. In Kabalebo, a remote place in the interior of Suriname, I was able to identify at least 16 species. The last one to join 'the club' is the Amethyst Woodstar. Amethyst Woodstars are one of the smallest hummingbirds in Suriname. According to 'the Bird of Surinam' book they weigh less then 3 grams. Little is known about this small creature, supposedly of its tiny size and bumblebee-like fly. My 'lucky' day started on February 13th 2014. In front of a blossoming branch I saw something flying near the flowers. At first I thought it was a bumble bee, but after a second good look I noticed that it was a hummingbird. The smallest one I've seen so far. I tried to take some pictures but because it was so small, my camera couldn't 'find' it. I managed to take only 2 (!!) blurry pictures the first day. Luckily, for me, it stayed at least 7 more days nearby so I was able to take some great pictures. Not only was it an Amethyst Woodstar, it appeared to be a juvenile too. Meaning that it was born and raised here in Kabalebo. The juvenile stayed here until February the 20, 2014 and left the next day. During its stay it was such a great joy to see it enjoying its surroundings (blossoming flowers) Here are some nice pictures I was able to capture of the Amethyst Woodstar. I hope you enjoy the photos, as it was extremely difficult to take great shots. "Sometimes following small things can lead to great discoveries." That is what happened to me, back on the 26th of September 2012, when I was enjoying the presence of a "butterfly". I can remember that day like it was yesterday. I went out to photograph when I noticed that a "butterfly" appeared right in front of me, but before I could take a picture of it, it was suddenly gone. Kind of strange, but I paid no further attention to it ..... until I saw the "butterfly" again. It flew 3 meters up, right in front of a branch and then ..... it 'changed' into a hummingbird. What a wonderful surprise!! It was the Black-eared Fairy (Heliothryx auritus) all the time. She was flying like a butterfly as a cover up/camouflage to lure me away from her nest. Usually they hover in front of (blossoming) flowers. The Black-eared Fairy is not the smallest and neither is the largest hummingbird I've seen. But with their immaculate white on their chest and outer tail, they make an impressive appearance. The nest was made on one 'fragile' branch and it was clear that it was a small nest, especially when she was busy incubating. On October the 28th, 2012, I noticed a small 'needle' pointing just outside the nest, which later appeared to be the beak of the immature. The mother was often absent, probably looking for food. On November the 11th, 2012, I was finally rewarded for my patience as I witnessed how the mother was feeding her chick. Not a pretty sight as she just 'pushed' the food right into its throat. After feeding time she tried to sit in the nest, but with her chick still inside, it looked like a 'crowded house'. Two days later I found an empty nest. Gone were the Fairy's. But never forgotten.
I have been observing the Fork-tailed Woodnymph for three years now. A common hummingbird at Kabalebo. He/she is not shy/afraid for other birds or humans, they are rather dominant and defensive. They sip nectar from blossoming flowers, sugar water from feeders in the open and in the interior. I have witnessed many times that the male started to 'complain' the moment you touch his tree. I have taken this picture of the male near his tree and as you can see, he is not afraid or shy, but is rather curious. When there is enough sunlight you can spot the wonderful colors on the male his neck and chest. If not, it looks like he has dark/black colors. The female looks less 'colorful' since she has to incubates the eggs all by herself and a camouflage color always comes in handy. In 2012 I was lucky to 'spot' a nest of this hummingbird, about 2.5 meters above the ground on a branch. Hummingbirds are one of my favorite birds in Kabalebo. They are so tiny and fast. Here you see the Green-bellied Hummingbird, some know him as the Copper-tailed Hummingbird. Last year, 2013, I saw him/her from the first week of february till ending of march. The remaining months he was absent, until ... now. Since 10.2.14 I have seen this wonderful small creature flying nearby. He enjoys the nectar from the blooming flowers and the sugar water from the feeders. One time I saw him 'hawking' - catching insects in mid air. The great thing about the Green-bellied Hummingbird is that I never seen him being chased away by other hummingbirds or other birds. This morning I was about to clean and refill a feeder and I noticed this tiny creature was already nearby and was flying from one branch to the other. When I returned with the feeder, he was quietly sitting on the same branch I wanted to attach the feeder. It looked like he was waiting for his 'breakfast'. During the mornings I enjoy his 'yoga' sessions. After having breakfast he sits down quietly and starts to stretch his wings in all different directions. |
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