I watched this chick until the late afternoon, and I couldn't understand why he hadn't flown off yet, as had his sibling. Then, as the ambient light started to darken in anticipation of the evening, Chick #2 flew off to a nearby bush. He waited there for a few minutes. Then, he was gone.
Hummingbirds in My Backyard
In my yard the hummingbirds feed on nectar at bottlebrushes, Mexican sage, birds-of-paradise, fuchsia, star clusters, geraniums, hibiscuses, and even the lemon tree. They also eat my hummingbird feeders out of house and home.
Although I have never seen a hummingbird build a nest in my yard, I keep holding out hope that I'll be able to watch a hummingbird raise a family in my garden someday.
In the meantime I have noticed that more and more Allen's hummingbirds have become residents of western Bel Air in recent years, and I'm quite sure that this is because they take advantage of hummingbird feeders during the winter, when the birds would normally be in Mexico.
The funny thing is, once an Allen's hummingbird male takes over your yard, he chases all other hummingbirds away for as long as he decides to stay. He's really quite a reliable fellow, and you get the opportunity of being able to watch him all year long.
Mathew Tekulsky writes a regular National Geographic News column about birding in his backyard and neighborhood in Bel Air, California.
Previous columns by the Birdman of Bel Air
New Bird-Watching Column: "The Birdman of Bel Air"
The California Towhee, Boldly Bland
At Home With Hooded Orioles
Scrub Jays Go Nuts for Peanuts
Northern Mockingbird is a Wary Neighbor
Christmas With the Pelicans
California-Quail Close Encounter
Yosemite Steller's Jay Encounter
Banding Birds at Devils Postpile
California Condor Close Encounter
California Condor Rebound
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