"I hope you love birds too. It is economical. It saves going to heaven."
Emily Dickinson

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Allen's hummingbirds are nesting

This female Allen's hummingbird, nicknamed Phoebe, is the star of a popular live Webcam.
Winter seems like an unusual time for any bird to be nesting, but in Southern California, our non-migratory Allen's hummingbirds get an early start.  Phoebe is currently sitting on her two eggs, which she laid on Dec. 17 and 20.  Hatch watch begins Jan. 4. 
Nesting season for these tiny birds runs October through early June. The female builds the nest, sits on the eggs and cares for the chicks without assistance from the male.  A female hummingbird has four or five clutches a season. She typically lays two eggs per clutch, though not all eggs are viable and many chicks do not survive. Check out the live Webcam at PhoebeAllens.com.
Happy Birding!
J.J.

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