Happy news: The little hummer has fledged

[Catshrink]

Here is a link to the video of "Hoku" taking off about 40 minutes ago. She? He? is 23 days old.

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/7393105

The webcam on the nest is still up and Phoebe, the momma bird, has been visiting.

http://phoebeallens.com/

[TwilightGardener]

1. Yay, little hummingbird! Just did a wing-stretch--cute!

[Catshrink]

2. I missed the actual event

I went to fill my coffee cup and when I returned, Hoku was gone!

Watching these birds has been so calming. Now I have no excuse not to get some things done around the house!

[TwilightGardener]

3. I've only peeked here and there over the last few days, but yes, it is calming.

I planted some hummingbird-friendly container plants on my patio, waiting for some hummers to notice them. :)

[janx]

4. I saw it!!!

Was merriamwebster on chat! I've been so addicted to that site and now have so much work to do! Thanks for posting this!

It's a fantastic video. First he flies to a branch, then he flies back to the nest briefly, and then he goes straight UP!

:hi:

You can still hear wings buzzing on the cam.

[Catshrink]

5. I was so happy they posted the video.

No more hummer nests until October or so. :cry:

[janx]

8. They posted it FAST!

It was only a matter of minutes!
Have you seen this pic from the Phoebeallens FB page?

[Catshrink]

9. That's a great photo.

Be well, little bird.

[azmouse]

6. I was lucky to be on that site when the little baby left the nest.

What a wonderful moment. A new life launched into the world.

But..
No more little hummer to watch... :cry: ...and it's little sibling wasn't there to join in the moment.

[janx]

7. Yes, that is sad, but it is all a part of nature.

I have hummer nests here and predators get them or their mothers quite often. For instance, the only visible hummer nest I can see is a brand new one, but there has been no activity there whatsoever from what I've seen. And only a couple of days ago, a hawk decimated a robin's nest in the mulberry tree.

So think of it this way: It's a miracle Hoku and his mother pulled this off at all! :hug:

[Catshrink]

10. We see quail families...

At first the family will parade across the yard, the momma bird followed by up to 14 chicks and the papa bird bringing up the rear. Over the next couple of weeks, the number of chicks dwindles to maybe 3 or 4 as they fall prey to larger birds.

[janx]

11. I'm not surprised.

And I wish I could see the quail parade.

Glad you posted this thread. I'll try and keep it kicked. :hi:

[Catshrink]

12. Here are some photos of quail families

I usually see them single file - the chicks are so cute running after mom.

[janx]

13. That is beautiful, CS!

Until this year, I didn't know what a western quail looked like, and I've lived in the west since 1994. I saw some of these on campus during the past year.

kick!

[Catshrink]

15. I just saw a quail family when out walking the dogs

there were 6 chicks between mama and papa quail. So cute the way they scurry around.

[Ms. Toad]

17. Me too.

My feed lagged behind the chat - someone said something like "We have lift off." I was thinking they were mistaken, then the feed caught up and away Hoku went!

[janx]

14. Another kick

for inspiration!

[phasma ex machina]

16. OK so I hear the birds in my backyard squawking their little bird brains out ...

Look! Perched up in the tree! Cat bird!



Meanwhile dozens of little idiot birds fly one foot from Mr Cat Bird's face squawking right into it.

:rofl:

[Maru Kitteh]

18. That makes me so happy. Thanks for posting that.