Off Subject-Albino Hummer!

Guest · Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:45 pm

The ruby throats are everywhere! We had the privilege to see an almost albino hummer! Is this common?

Sue
City by the Sea, TX

The Olsons · Tue Sep 25, 2007 8:10 am

Sue,

I have never seen a albino hummingbird, nor have I ever heard anyone else mention it. You got me curious and I "googled" on albino hummingbirds and found this link.

http://www.hummingbirds.net/albino.html

Do your other hummingbirds mind the albino one? Great experience for you and thank you for posting the pictures.....he/she is real cute

Astrid

Guest · Tue Sep 25, 2007 8:26 am

He/she seems to be more aggressive and larger..."Blanco" is trying to dominate a feeder and bullies the others!

Sue
City by the Sea, TX

The Olsons · Tue Sep 25, 2007 8:45 am

That's interesting about "Blanco" being bigger and more aggressive.....good for him/her....usually albinos are always a little more on the timid end. Please keep us posted on "Blanco"....

I also have a few hummers in the yard....the main guys are called "CF1" and "CF2" since they are little Control Freaks and chase all the others away. Do you know how long they usually are in our area before they move on with their migration?

Take care
Astrid

Guest · Tue Sep 25, 2007 1:38 pm

That varies as well...A couple of years ago we had hummers that lingered until the end of October....last year they were gone by mid-October.

Sue
City by the Sea, TX

The Olsons · Tue Sep 25, 2007 1:56 pm

Thanks Sue and enjoy your hummers

Linda Reynolds · Tue Sep 25, 2007 3:19 pm

suegary,

It appears as if this very special hummingbird is not lacking all pigmentation which would categorize it as an albino, suffering from albinism. It seems this bird has some color, but it is pale, indicating it suffering from leucism which is a condition marked by **reduced** pigmentation. Typically those human and animals experiencing albinism have red or pink eyes because of the total lack of pigmentation.

This is, indeed, a very special sighting, and we are so happy you shared the photos with us.

Here is a good link from Cornell Lab of Ornithology that provides a good explanation of this condition vs. albinism.

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/ivory/past ... 06/leucism

Guest · Tue Sep 25, 2007 3:52 pm

Ever grateful to you Linda!!!!! I love this forum and have learned so much by participating.

Thank you!

Sue
City by the Sea, TX

Linda Reynolds · Tue Sep 25, 2007 5:32 pm

suegary, I am only passing along information shared with me over the years by members of The Forum and friends of this wonderful birding community. I am so happy that my small contribution might have helped you to better understand what is happening in your yard.

Looks as if you feeders will need to be filled for a few more weeks......Our population dwindles and then increases........Those little jewels are still moving south.

Guest · Tue Sep 25, 2007 6:15 pm

So far this evening, "Blanco" has yet to return...he/she has probably moved on.

Sue
City by the Sea, TX

The Olsons · Tue Sep 25, 2007 7:02 pm

Sue,

We only had one hummingbird stop by this evening....for the first time in a week no action at all....

Astrid

rickluc · Wed Sep 26, 2007 9:22 am

Had a hummingbird at feeder here in north central Indiana on Tuesday Sept. 25. I would think, it won't be much longer.

Julio · Wed Sep 26, 2007 11:52 am

Wow really cool..

The Olsons · Wed Sep 26, 2007 6:04 pm

Hello Sue,

Just wondering if "Blanco" showed up...?

We had not one single hummingbird here today.....

Astrid

Nanette · Wed Sep 26, 2007 7:07 pm

Hi,
Great pics Sue! Great website Astrid!

Our Hummers moved on about 2 weeks ago

The most Hummers I have ever had at my feeders is 3 because one pair always dominates it! I have seen pictures on several Hummingbirds on a feeder at one time. I guess mine aren't quite so nice!

Guest · Thu Sep 27, 2007 7:13 am

Blanco has moved on...no more sightings. Nanette...try hanging several feeders with a small amount of nectar...if more birds show up, the feeder hoggers cannot keep up with guarding several...I also hang them at different levels.

Sue
City by the Sea, TX

Nanette · Thu Sep 27, 2007 8:26 am

Sue, I'll try that. I do have 2 feeders which are perhaps 8 feet apart and the dominating birds can guard both quite easily! I bought a feeder which suction cups onto my window. I LOVE being able to watch them so closely. The hummers seem to like it better than the one I have hanging. I gave one to my neighbor and she said that her hummers preferred the window feeder too.