Check out this amazing courtship display by a male Lucifer Hummingbird towards a female at the feeder. These displays typically happen at nest sites, but we are lucky to see this exhibition at the West Texas Feeder cam.
Male Lucifer Hummingbirds display to females, though they do not actually form pair bonds and are quite likely polygamous. Displays consist of approaching the female, shuttling quickly back and forth with their gorget extended in 6-foot-wide horizontal movements in front of her, followed by an ascent to as high as 100 feet and a sudden dive in front of her. During the approach, the wings or tail make a rapid flicking sound; as the male flies away he spreads his forked tail and makes a different wack-wack-wack sound with his tail. The display lasts 30 to 45 seconds and may be given up to 5 times in an hour.
Watch live at http://allaboutbirds.org/texashummers for more information about the birds you see on cam and highlights from the feeders.
The West Texas Feeder Cam is powered by Perky-Pet®. Like the feeders you see? Check out their selection at https://www.perkypet.com/store/bird-feeders
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The West Texas Feeder Cam is nestled in the mountains outside Fort Davis, Texas, at an elevation of over 5500 feet. This site hosts a total of 30 hummingbird feeders, and during peak migration can attract hundreds of hummingbirds from a dozen species that are migrating through the arid mountains. During winter, our cam hosts install a more traditional bird feeder setup that attracts species like Pine Siskins, Ladder-backed Woodpeckers, and more.
For over 10 years, researchers from West Texas Avian Research have been banding hummingbirds at this site and others throughout the Trans-Pecos region of Texas to study the status and distribution of hummingbirds throughout the poorly known region. The active banding of hummingbirds continues (off camera) at this site in the Davis Mountains, and from time to time you may hear researchers working in the background. Some common species in you may hear vocalizing include Woodhouse's Scrub-Jays, Acorn Woodpeckers, and Bewick's Wrens (among others).
Thanks to West Texas Avian Research for their enthusiasm and support for hosting the camera at this remote research site.
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