We Have Liftoff !!!
On the left are the second set of eggs for 1997 laid by the female Costa's
Hummingbird that is nesting in my patio lamps. On May 3rd, one of the
chicks fledged the nest leaving behind its sibling on the right. The
following is my account of the fledging of the second chick.
Morning, May 4th.
It started out as a cool morning, slightly overcast, little breeze but it
would warm up soon enough. At 6:30 AM I went out to feed my horse.
The day before I had gotten up late that morning after sleeping in
trying to fight off a slight cold. By 8 AM, I noticed one of the chicks
had fledged the nest. I had expected the other one to already be gone
by the time I checked the nest this morning but it was still there.
My senses and past experience told me that this chick would fledge
today if not this morning. The patio and the lamps are right outside
my large kitchen window. I've spent many a morning watching the females
sitting on eggs and feeding young. I decided to delay my work for
awhile and see if I could catch the moment when the second chick
fledged the nest. Of all the previous nests and 15 chicks, I've seen
a chick fledge the nest only once before. Believe me it's a pretty
special moment.
I settled in at the breakfast table with bagels and jam and a large cup of
coffee. The chick was preening its feathers, stretching flapping its
wings. Could go at any moment. It doesn't. So I grab a lawn chair
and head outside.
With my camcorder I take the picture on the left. The chick is standing
on the edge of the nest ready to go. Whenever it revved up its wings,
its tiny talons would hold onto the lip of the nest allowing for a
controlled exercise "flight."
Several times the chick fell forward almost falling out of the nest. The
female fed the chick several times while I'm waiting for its departure.
After awhile I'm becoming impatient with the chick hoping it will leave
whenever it flaps its wings. But, being spring migration, I was rewarded
with a House Wren, Warbling Vireo, Black-throated Gray Warbler and
Green-tailed Towhee passing through my yard. It's now 10 AM. It's hot
outside and I'm going back into the house. I continue to watch from my
kitchen window. An then....
Liftoff at 10:13 AM PDT, May 4th, 1997 !!!
In one graceful moment, the chick spread and flapped its wings and lifted
away from the nest. My patience had paid off. A feeling of excitement
and relief.
Shortly afterwards, I was able to locate the chick and took photos of it
outside of the nest. Sorry that they're a little fuzzy.
The 1997-2 nest is now empty. One time after feeding the chick this
morning, the female went over to the other lamp which still has the 1997-1
nest. She preened it and actually sat down on the nest. From what I've
seen before, this is a good sign that she may use the nest again. And
soon.
Of course, if she does make a 1997-3 nest, and I can find it, I'll post
the progress of the nesting events.
Hope you all enjoyed my story. I enjoyed telling it.
Back to the Costa's Hummingbird Home Page.
Any comments or further questions can be sent to me at:
Rick Hallowell