Banding Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in Michigan - July 18

Releasing a recently banded Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

 I drove to Battle Creek, Michigan today to watch members of the Great Lakes Hummernet Project band Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (RTHU).  This is my second time to observe a banding operation.  The highlight of my day was holding a RTHU in my hand and listening to the heartbeat (about 250 times per minute while resting) as I held it near my ear!  The more I talk with people who are collecting data about hummingbirds in the U.S. the more I realize that there are many unanswered questions about these tiny creatures.  

Measuring wing length of a captured RTHU

 The Great Lakes Hummernet Project Director, Allen Chartier and his team of volunteers are trying to learn more about the hummingbirds in the Great Lakes region.   Some of the information they are trying to find out includes:

·      Spring arrival dates throughout Michigan

·      Fall departure dates throughout Michigan

·      Peak dates and numbers of hummingbirds during migration

·      Migration routes and concentration points in Michigan

·      Routes and timing of migration from Michigan to their wintering grounds

The elaborate Guillotine trap closes by remote control.

The simple Dawkins Trap lures hummingbirds in with a bright red object.

Our host in Battle Creek was Mary Bird.  Her yard boasts 12 hummingbird feeders and many great nectar plants.  Her feeders were taken down and 4 traps were set.  Three Dawkins traps (DT) and one Guillotine trap (GT).  The Guillotine trap had an impressive trap door operated by a remote control.  These are expensive to make and didn’t seem to do as well today as the simple, inexpensive Dawkins traps.  The DT was made from two peony stands sewn to pond mesh – simple and effective.

Rich reaches for a RTHU in the Dawkins Trap.

Young male in the hand.  The measuring and banding moves swiftly so that the birds are not stressed.

An immature male of interest because he already has a pretty large red gorget.

Today, I was able to see how much bigger the females are compared to the males (15-20% larger).  Even their legs are obviously thicker (if a hummingbird leg can be called thick) than the males.  The early spring banding I observed was catching only adult birds since nesting had not yet occurred – but in July there are also immature birds to be caught. 

The bird is held in a pantyhose toe while the band is fastened.

Banders use many features including bill corrugations, the gorget (throat feathers), tail feathers, and the #6 primary feather of the wing to determine the sex and age of a RTHU.  All the birds that are caught are measured.  If they do not have a band – the birds are given a band.  

Hummingbird Paint

Band is placed on a recaptured male that had lost his band.

If they are a “recapture” this is recorded and the birds are marked with a dot of bright blue paint.  This non-toxic temporary paint dot helps the citizen scientists to make observations about how far these birds are traveling and how often they are visiting food sources in their territories.  All this data is then filed with the Bird Banding Laboratory.  For a great explaination of the banding procedure visit the Great Lakes Hummernet page and help them with their research by submitting your observations:

http://www.amazilia.net/MIHummerNet/Banding.htm

Often female hummingbirds will have 2 broods each year -- one in May/June and the other in late July.  Today, the banders were also looking for a brood patch – which was a new concept for me.  The feathers on birds insulate their bodies - keeping in warmth.  But, a mother bird needs to share her body warmth to incubate her eggs.  

Using a straw to blow back the feathers and investigate the brood patch.

 Birds have a unique adaptation to solve this dilemma.  Feathers fall out (triggered by hormonal changes) or are pulled out from the skin of the belly of the bird before the eggs are laid.  The tissue of this “unfeathered” area swells, holds more water, and the blood vessels expand – making it very warm.  This naked “incubation patch” is called a brood patch and is another piece of data for the banders to observe.  When the female RTHU sits on the eggs, the skin muscles open up the brood patch, the mother bird wiggles her body back and forth to make best contact with the eggs and the eggs are kept exceedingly warm.  We saw one hummer today where the bird was just about to push out her egg. I could see it just under the skin.

This bird had a significant brood patch and an egg.

When I started reading about hummingbirds I thought that because the Ruby-throated Hummingbird was so popular with the general public and because they were so comfortable with humans – that the science of these hummingbirds would be a done deal.  This is just not the case.  There are many questions to be answered about their migration and ecology and banding is one of the most important tools in ornithological research we have to address these questions.  Less than 200,000 hummingbirds have been banded in the U.S. and Canada since banding hummingbirds began in 1954.  We really have lots more work to do to understand the life of these miniature marvels of migration.

Tiny bands, carefully formed, are stored on a safety pin at this banding station.

Going Home - June 29

Like this Roadside Hawk -- we are taking off today!

Yesterday we took a bus over the Andes from Papallacta.  What spectacular scenery!  Quito was bustling with people enjoying the sunny day.  Our last taste of nature was a walk around La Carolina Park.  The goal was to see the orchids in the botanical gardens -- but unfortunately -- the orchid display was being renovated.  I am sad to leave this beautiful country.  We already have a list of places we want to see the next time we visit!

This trip was a great success any way you count it.

• I saw 47 species of hummingbirds
• I saw 340 species of birds in Ecuador
• I improved my birding skills immensely
• I learned a lot about the ecology of tropical hummingbirds and other species
• Both Cloyce and I had a great time!

Papallacta - Thermal Joy!!! - June 27-28

Altitude:  10,824 feet a.s.l.
Ecoregions:   Humid upper-montane  rainforest

Chris with Volcano Antisana on a rare clear day in June.

 Mauriceo drove us from Cabanas San Isidro to the upscale resort of Termas de Papallacta high on the Eastern slope of the Andes.  I knew we would probably not see any new species of hummingbirds here but was dying to stay somewhere with heat and to try out the thermal baths.  This was a “must see” tourist attraction for me.  This is an award winning resort because of their environmentally responsible operations.  Geothermal heat from the volcanoes is used to heat the rooms, hot water, and of course the amazing thermal springs. 

The thermal springs were soothing to our aching bones!

 It is also right next door to the Cayambe Coca National Park so we were able to hunt for birds between warming up in the thermal springs. 

It is considered the winter season here in June, July and August so we were expecting cold, rainy, cloudy weather at this altitude.  The first day – that’s what we got -  typical high altitude day and plenty of mud. 

The river was raging.

 But, on June 28^th we awoke to miraculous weather.  The sky was bright blue and we could see the snow capped Antisana Volcano while lying in a thermal spring.  It was spectacular and very rare for this time of year. 

A rare clear sky during winter at Termas de Papallacta

The snow capped Antisana Volcano

This is one of the flowering trees (Brugmansia) that were all over the trails and resort.

   The grounds and trails had loads of flowering plants especially the Brugmansia which were covered with flowers and often hummingbirds.  We enjoyed the rivers, cattle, trout, a warm room, Shining Sunbeam hummingbirds, thermal baths and the spectacular view.

A Shining Sunbeam puffs up his feathers as he dries out in the early morning.

This bull was watching us as much as we were watching him.

And the rain rain rain, came down down down.... June 26

We are still at Cabanas San Isidro.  We have had 2 great days with little rain and spectacular views as we birded the San Isidro area and the Loreto Road .  People keep telling us how lucky we are to have such weather during the rainy season.  Well, today our luck ran out.  It poured all night and most of this day.  But, we are both feeling a bit ill so a rainy day, watching birds from the balcony, and a few naps is just fine with us.

THE POURING RAIN DID NOT DETER THESE HUMMERS FROM THEIR FEEDER!

Loreto Road - June 25

Altitude:  6,500-3,300 feet a.s.l.
Ecoregions:   Temperate Forest to tropical lowlands
New Hummingbird Species Seen:  Green Hermit, Green-fronted Lancebill, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, Ecuadorian Piedtail, White-tailed Hillstar.

View from the Loreto Road

Location, Location, Location!  Ecuador is a vertical country and many bird species are found in relatively narrow altitudinal zones on one or both sides of the Andes.  The changes in vegetation we drive through in just an hour are amazing as we go up and down in altitude.  Loreto road transects many altitudinal zones and thus has a reputation as a birding hotspot.  We had no idea that roadside birding could be so rewarding.  Our driver Herman and guide Marcelo did an outstanding job showing us around. I wish I had pictures to share of the amazing hummingbirds and tanagers I saw today.  But, that will have to wait until next time when I return to Ecuador with a better camera! 

We saw palm trees laden with fruit and Napo Tamarin Monkeys

Other sections of the road had cliffs where we saw this Cliff Flycatcher

My original proposal had us traveling into the Sumaco area and staying at a lodge there.  Unfortunately, the lodge was closed for the month of June this year and I thought we would have to forgo these East Slope tropical lowland species.  But, this day gave us many of my target species for this altitude and slope.  You’ll just have to believe me about how dramatic and colorful these birds are or maybe do a Google image search!

We searched every rushing stream and waterfall for a White-tailed Hillstar or a Green-fronted Lancebill.  While visiting a waterfall along the road we heard the white tail but it would not respond to the IPOD.  Later that day, Marcelo literally shook the branches of flowering shrubs near Cosanga and we finally saw it.  It perched for a minute and then it was gone.  What a thrill!  The Lancebill was found near a waterfall as well– its long bill and sparking green forehead was unmistakable.  

We searched forest edges, backyard gardens and feeders at roadside stands for the Fork-tailed Woodnymph and finally saw them on flowers and feeders near a restaurant that was also near an amazing waterfall.  One thing this country has in abundance is lots of whitewater and waterfalls!

Waterfall behind a roadside eatery.  Rushing water is everywhere in Ecuador.

I have only seen 2 Hermits on this trip – everyone else has seen more – I just can’t seem to get a bead on them.  So, seeing the Green Hermit at the same area near the waterfall was nice – I finally got to check off a hummingbird in that curved billed group.  But, without Marcelo to help me with the I.D., I might have thought I was looking at a Tawny-bellied.  We were on the wrong side of the Andes for a White-whiskered Hermit (duh!!) and too low for a Tawny-bellied!  It is so important to know your altitude and which side of the  Andes you are on in this country!

Entrance to the Reserve which protects 720 acres.

The Rio Hollin in the Narupa Reserve

The Ecuadorian Piedtail was probably the most secretive bird we saw.  We were in the Narupa Reserve hiking a forest trail and saw the rounded tail tipped in white.  Our look at this bird wasn’t great but it was enough to get an I.D.   

The Loreto Road was newly paved in 2008

Although we saw lots of great birds we also saw lots of habitat destruction.  It seems that the Loreto Road was repaved in 2008 which has lead to even more people traveling this road and trying to make a living off the land in the area.  The forest land is often cleared for cultivation, the crops deplete the forest soils, and then it is grass seeded for cattle.  It was great to see the Narupa Reserve taking shape here along the Rio Hollin.  This reserve is keeping a chunk of this Amazonian foothill forest out of cultivation and saving habitat for some extraordinary species.

Marcelo and Cloyce had a "big Tanager day" on Loreto Road

The Tanagers we saw today were spectacular.  The Paradise Tanager has to be my favorite of the trip.  If you gave a child a coloring book and crayons and asked them to “color the bird” – this is what the Paradise looks like – it has every color in the box!  Other birds that I was in awe of on this day:  Orange-breasted Falcon, Lafresnaye's Piculet, Magpie Tanager, Silver-beaked Tanager, Orange-eared Tanager, Paradise Tanager, Beryl-spangled Tanager, White-capped Tanager, Squirrel Cuckoo.

San Isidro Reserve June 23-24

Altitude:  6,800 feet a.s.l.
Ecoregions:   Temperate to Subtropical Forest and Bamboo (Chusquea) stands
New Hummingbird Species Seen:  Bronzy Inca

Bronzy Inca

Female Fawn-breasted Brilliant

A male Fawn-breasted Brilliant catching the light just right!

Collared Inca in Bamboo

 The drive from Guango to San Isidro goes down in elevation and passes by a series of tall waterfalls called “The Three Marias”.  This is the rainy season on the Eastern Slope and we are used to being dressed for downpours at all times.  The birds at the feeders are okay with rain but trying to bird in the forests is difficult.  Birders look for motion and listen and when all the leaves are moving because of dripping water – it is not easy to find moving birds.  So, I take some time to watch the hummers.  Even in the rain – the Chestnut-breasted Coronet is zealously guarding the feeder it has claimed for territory. 

Speckled Hummingbird

  It is amazing how much energy one bird spends to drive away competition.  I tried to observe hummers on flowers as well as feeders at San Isidro and even camped out for hours hoping to see a Gorgeted Woodstar – but no luck. 

The lights at this lodge attract lots of moths and each morning at sunrise birds arrive to feast on the bounty.  The loudest are the Inca Jays and the Russet-backed Oropendolas.  Their strange sounds really remind me that I am in the tropics.  

Inca Jay eating a fruit.

The huge nests of the Russet-backed Oropendolas were full of action every morning.

This Chestnut-breasted Coronet guarded "his" feeder from dawn til dusk.

Our guides on the Western Slope did not use an IPOD with bird calls to help them lure birds in closer for a better look.  But, Roger and now Marcelo both use this tool.  It has been very helpful as we bird the road around San Isidro.  There are thick stands of bamboo which make great cover for birds – but frustration for birders.  The IPOD gets the bird to move or call back and that helps us to get a focus on them.  It is amazing to me how many birds these guys can recognize by sound alone.  

Chris, Marcelo, and Cloyce after a hard day of birding.

The most common bird we saw:  The Rufous-collared  Sparrow

Crimson-mantled Woodpecker

The "Mystery Owl" is a big attraction at this lodge.

 No stay at Cabanas San Isidro would be complete without searching for the “mystery owl”.  We were lucky to have Marcelo as our guide.  We went out with a bright flashlight and he lead us right to it.  This owl has people puzzled.  It is on the wrong slope to be a Black-and-white Owl and is too high up in elevation to be a Black-banded Owl and the plumage is different.  Trying to figure out this owl has attracted lots of business to the lodge and makes for great dinner discussions.  I’m just glad that I got to see it!

Guango Lodge - June 21-23

Altitude:  8,858 feet a.s.l.
Ecoregions:   Humid Temperate Forest
New Hummingbird Species Seen:  Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Tourmaline Sunangel, Long-tailed Sylph, and great looks at many others!

The bill of the Sword-billed Hummingbird is so long they have to polish their feathers with their feet.

 Located only 11 kms down the Interoceanica Highway from the town of Papallacta – the Guango Lodge is hummingbird heaven.  Rushing rivers, stunted trees, rain, mud, cowpies and a lodge that reminded me of Vermont is what greeted us at Guango.   

Balancing optics and an umbrella was a challenge.

The rivers in Ecuador are spectacular!

We spent two full days here walking the trails along the river and up the slope looking for the target birds for the area – the Torrent Duck, Torrent Tyrannulet, and the Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan.   

Great view of the Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan

Male Torrent Duck in the Papallacta River.

Male Masked Trogon at Guango Lodge

But, we could have spent the entire time just sitting at the feeders.  This lodge has an amazing assortment of hummingbirds including the Sword-billed which I could watch all day.

The Long-tailed Sylph is gorgeous and fast!

Collared Inca, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Sword-bill

Female Tourmaline Sunangel

  It was nice to have 2 days with no guide.  We really needed time to check our lists, review our photographs and just reflect on what we had seen so far.  The cold rain and deep mud made birding a bit of a chore on the trails but the spectacular Papallacta river was worth the muddy boots!

Keeping track of what I saw when and where was time consuming.

Guango is so lush and moist.  Plants grow on every surface.

The wooden bridges had bootle caps nailed into them for traction on the wet surface.  Good idea!

Female White-bellied Woodstar.  These tiny hummers fly like a bee!

Collared Inca