Copper-tailed Hummingbird update! - 2015

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. 

Cattle Egrets are now appearing in either small or large groups on the airstrip … foraging for food. Green Ibises are now seen more often near the River Cabins.

Another change that I noticed was seeing hummingbirds in abundance near the feeders. The most dominant ones are the Grey-breasted Sabrewings. There are at least 5 Sabrewings active near the lodge. It is a wonderful sight to see so many Sabrewings flying around but in reality they are defending their territory and chase each other away.

While the Sabrewings were so into their chasing-away game, other hummers took advantage of this 'disadvantage':

• Fork-tailed Woodnymph
• Long-tailed Hermit
• Rufous-breasted Hermit and …...
• Copper-tailed Hummingbird

I was so pleased to know that the Copper-tailed Hummingbird is still 'hanging around'. He is quite a figure and pretty much, in my opinion, a controversial hummer too. This is the first time that I learned that a small bird, like a hummer, can have different names. First time that I 'met' him they called him the 'Green-bellied Hummingbird' and this year, 2015, they call him 'Copper-tailed Hummingbird'. Since I am not an ornithologist I just go with the flow. 

Anyway, the good news is that he is still around and that he is not alone. I actually spotted 2 (two!!) Copper-tailed Hummingbirds. Seen in the pictures below I can tell that they enjoy a lot in Kabalebo, like for instance:

• fresh sugar water
• nectar (in abundance) from blossoming flowers
• the scenery 

Sooner or later they will eventually leave this area and go to their next destination …. wherever that might be. Hope to see them again next year.

The Copper-tailed Hummingbird usually awaits his turn to go to the feeder. While the Grey-breasted Sabrewings were chasing each other away, he silently took advantage of the situation.

Due to his size (8/9 cm) you have to look twice when he approaches blossoming flowers. He is a silent flying hummer.

He feels right at home in Kabalebo.

While the other hummingbirds are in a 'debate', he patiently awaits his turn, between the branches and leaves, to strike.

Here you can clearly see why it is called 'Copper-tailed' hummingbird.

And here ….. 'Green-bellied' hummingbird. I now understand the confusion.

Either way …. he is still enjoyable to watch. 


Related articles:

Green-bellied Hummingbird!

Copper-tailed Hummingbird!