Birth Announcement now with video

[sidd finch]

Well a pretty cool way to start the day. Looks like the Hummingbird that was nesting finally had her chicks. The were enjoying a leisurly morning breakfast when I was able to get this shot. Of course....video to follow.

Just to give you a little perspective. The silver tag at the left of the screen is about the size of 2 postage stamps.

Sidd

[Dave McElderry]

Full house!

[Chuck Engels]

Awesome !!

[momoffduty]

Congrats Daddy Sidd! Yes, please video soon. But, don't want you to disrupt the babies and mama.

[sidd finch]

It was pretty exciting to be able to capture some footage. Because she nested under the eve of the garage it was quite difficult to get a good angle....but... I am happy I was able to record it.



Sidd

[momoffduty]

Wow, wow Wow! Looked like she was grooming them too. For some reason I felt like gagging because the beak appeared to go way down their little throats. Wonderful capture Sidd!

[Chuck Engels]

That is simply Awesome Sidd, You win the Muvipix Super Go Pro Hero of the Day Award !!

[Dave McElderry]

You're gaining quite the reputation Sidd! Really some great footage. We got a kick out of mom's tongue trying to flick the fuzz off the end of her beak.

[Peru]

That's some great footage.

[sidd finch]

For some reason I felt like gagging because the beak appeared to go way down their little throats

I was thinking the same thing Mom. Believe it or not I slowed that portion of the footage down 50% and it still looked pretty rough. It seemed like the Mother was pulling the down off the baby birds. They are just so small it is amazing.

Sidd, You win the Muvipix Super Go Pro Hero of the Day Award !

Kind words indeed. But I see it as a reflection of the generous support and collective wisdom of the Muvipix web site. A very nurturing online site that has encouraged its members to keep growing and keep telling stories.

You're gaining quite the reputation Sidd! Really some great footage

Thank you Dave it is really fun to have a place to show some of my little projects and receive such kind words of encouragement.

Sidd

[Gerlinde]

Wow, that's all I can say! That is so amazing. You are so lucky to get to watch this so closeup and personal. Thank you for sharing the experience.

[sidd finch]

You are so lucky to get to watch this so close up and personal

Thank you Gerlinde it was pretty cool to be able to be in the right place at the right time to video the birds. In a small sense I can relate to what nature videographers must feel like when they are able to capture cool footage. It is also especially cool that folks can get a small slice (sorry mom) of spring unfolding out here.

Sidd

[_Paz_]

Fabulous, Sidd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Thanks so much for making and sharing this. What a treat to see!!!


New bird feathers are called "pin feathers". They look a lot like a tiny, clear plastic, tubular drinking straw wrapped around a bit of color. As the birds age the part that looks like a plastic sheath begins to degrade, flake into pieces, a lot like plastic does when exposed to weather.

Birds will pick at the pin feathers with their beak to get rid of the sheath. As soon as the sheath is gone the feather will unfurl and look like a feather. Mom is trying to help the babies along since they can't do this for themselves. My parrots used to love for me to sort of twirl the pin feathers on top of their heads after they had reached this sort of biodegradable stage, that is, the ones they could not reach. Maybe they itch. Oh, and don't ever pull out a pin feather. They have a direct link to blood supply and a bird can bleed to death from having a single one pulled out.

Your babies are much larger than I would have thought considering their young age. The eggs are so small in comparison to the birds. They must be growing like crazy!

Thanks again - this is marvelous to be able to see!

[sidd finch]

Thanks Paz I learned something about pin feathers.

Sidd

[_Paz_]

Great! You can clearly see the vertical shafts of pin feathers on top of your babies' heads.

How are they coming along?