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!! NEW !!
Adopt-a-wild-Bird
Help support
the efforts of HBRC by adopting a wild bird! Click above for the
application. |
Visitors Click Here!
2008
In Review
Winter
Avian Ecology Studies
Gilmore
Ponds
Banding
Station
Ruby-throated
Hummingbird Study
Winter
Hummingbird
Banding
Do you feed
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds?
This study is specifically
for
you!
Click
here for the details!
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Rare Bird
Alert
See a rare bird?
Submit your sighting or view rare bird charts around the Country at
ebird.org.
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| Leucistic (near albino) Ruby-throated
Hummingbird in Saint Louisville, OH! |
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A "white" hummingbird was identified in St. Louisville, OH the
last week of August. Seven Mile, OH bird bander Eric Burgess was
contacted by the nephew of the homeowner. Eric then contacted me
and I traveled on Wednesday, Sept. 2nd, a six hour round trip, to
capture, band, process, photograph and safely release the white
hummer. It turns out that it was a leucistic Ruby-throated
Hummingbird. Leucistic is pronounced "loo-ki-stick". Leuc is a
latin version of the Greek work leukos meaning "white." It
is not albino because the feathers do not lack "all" color-making
pigment cells. I am uncertain as to whether or not it is born this
way. This pigmentation does show up in early development of the
feathers. Albinism results in red eyes, white feathers, and
possibly a white bill. This hummer is mottled light brown
throughout it's back and tail, has dark "colored" eyes and a brown
bill (normally black) making this hummer leucistic.
It was
a young female with much energy! Interestingly, all the other
hummingbirds showed aggression to this female as if it were an
invasive species or non-welcomed visitor. It did not show
aggression to any of the other hummers around the feeders nor did
it seem too threatened by the aggression from the other birds.
We believe these leucistic Ruby-throated Hummingbirds do not
survive their first migration. The reasons are uncertain, but
theories are floating around. One theory supports the idea that
the lack of normal pigmentation in the feathers make them too soft
to withstand the wear of up to a 2000 mile flight to central
America, 500 of which are over the Gulf of Mexico.
It was a
privilege to see this bird up-close. It is only a reminder of how
much we still have to learn about these amazing little
creatures!!! |
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HBRC
Northern
Saw-whet
Owl research
project!
Follow OH & IN stations progress!
- Click below -
 |
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Rufous
Hummingbirds have been positively identified in Bexley, OH and
Montgomery, OH.
Click
on photo for more details |
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Click
on the Owl for more photos! |
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Photo
courtesy Jim McCormac |
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Approximately 1 million birds each year are banded.
Approximately 60,000 birds each year are recovered. By
1995, a total of 57 million birds had been banded, and 3 million recovered.
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If you find a dead or
injured wild bird with a band on it’s leg, or if you find a loose
band, call toll-free to 1-800-327-BAND
(2263) from anywhere in Canada, the United States and most parts
of the Caribbean. You will need to give the band number, how, when and
where the bird or band was found. |
HBRC
Banding Stations/Projects
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HUMMINGBIRDS
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OH
- IN - KY
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SPRING
MIGRATION
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Fairfield,
OH |
Hubble
Farm
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M.A.P.S.
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Fairfield,
OH
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Heath,
OH
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FALL
MIGRATION
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Fairfield,
OH
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Hubble
Farm
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WINTER
AVIAN ECOLOGY
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Hubble
Farm
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Seven-mile, OH |
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PURPLE
MARTINS
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Billingsville
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Lima,
OH
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BLUEBIRDS
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Billingsville
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Hubble
Farm
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Columbus,
OH
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KESTREL
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Billingsville
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OWLS
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Billingsville
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Hubble
Farm
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Download the new
HBRC brochure!
Login/Join
HBRC's
Bird
Banding
Listserv!
Login/Join
HUMMERWATCH
Listserv
Other
Birding Listservs
Attracting
and Feeding
Hummingbirds
Other
Banding Stations and Banders
Information
for Volunteers
and Trainees
Test
your Identification Skills
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