Hummingbirds are found throughout North and South America.
This is female bird of the species Calypte Anna from the Pacific Coast of California. It is also known as Anna’s Hummingbird. The nesting season for Calypte Anna begins in December and last through August.
The courtship is marked by extraordinary displays by the male, who swoops, dashes and soars high until he is almost out of site. Then, dives back down at a speed that may riches 60 miles/hour.
After mating, the female begins building her nest with greater care than many birds. In a single day, she makes more than 150 trips for materials. Twiggs and grass, feathers and spider webs and pieces of liken are skillfully woven together, and shape into place. Then, she lines the nest with the softest material available.
The week-long task of fitting, weaving and lining the nest requires hours of patient effort.
The female hummingbird usually lays 2 eggs in a single nesting. The incisive for food, forces her to frequently leave the eggs exposed, but only for short periods of time.
Incubation usually last about 12 to 20 days.
When the chicks are hatched, they require constant feedings of pre-digested food. The hen devotes herself to feeding and keeping them warm for about 2 weeks. By then, the chicks begin to outgrow the nest, and can be left alone during the night.
17 days after hatching, the chick’s backs are covered with iridescent feathers. They begin to exercise their wings and practice flying.
To get the fledglings to fly, the hen feeds them but leaves them still hungry.
As the fledglings finally leave the nest, she flies above them, tempting them higher with bits of foods.
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