Bird Board
Buff-bellied Hummingbirds?
The Buff-bellied Hummingbird was very active this afternoon. It was in several places in the butterfly garden and was hard to photograph. I did however manage to get a few photos. We also found the Buff-bellied Hummingbird on the north side of the property near the wooden fence in a small Gumbo Limbo by an orange traffic cone. I think that the bird over at this location may be a different bird? The one I photographed at the butterfly garden had a light colored area on top of its head. The other one by the traffic cone did not seem to have this. The photo showing the bird with its head leaning forward and preening, is the one by the traffic cone. All of the other photos were of the bird at the butterfly garden.
Two birds?
Larry Manfredi
Comments
I'd say that's two different birds. That head marking is very apparent, even from angles you wouldn't expect to notice it, kind of like the hackles on a golden eagle. Good eye, larry
Good evening,
I'm sure that Larry is aware of this, but one often sees pale areas on the heads of hummingbirds that represent pollen from flowers the bird has fed on. The Sibley Guide specifically mentions this aspect of hummingbirds.
Best regards,
Bill Pranty
Bayonet Point, Florida
I do know about the pollen aspect and I did check my photos closely. All of the photos taken of the butterfly garden bird had the light mark on the head. I took a photo of the Gumbo Limbo bird and then when back to the butterfly garden bird which still had the light area on the head. The Gumbo Limbo bird did not have this light area on the head. The two hours that I was there, all photos of the butterfly garden bird had the light area. Before I was ready to leave I found a bird at the Gumbo Limbo tree. I took a picture and it does not have the light area. Two other birders were looking at the Gumbo Limbo bird right after I photographed the butterfly garden bird. I still think it has to be two birds.
Leave a Comment