Anna’s Hummingbird Gathering Nesting Material photos by Larry Jordan
After watching the dive display of the male Anna’s Hummingbird last week, I decided to put out some nesting material for them (I believe it is simply raw cotton). I placed it about six feet from one of the feeders and it didn’t take long for the hummingbirds to find it and start using it.
I am still hearing the dive displays around my yard but I have yet to find a hummingbird nest. If you want to see a nesting Allen’s Hummingbird, check out Phoebe Allens Webcam. If you want to see some great bird photos it’s Bird Photography Weekly. Come and join the fun!
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
That’s very interesting how they pick that nesting material!
Wonderful photos Larry! The first is my favorite!
I can’t wait until the Hummingbirds return here in May.
.-= MaineBirder´s last blog ..Longing for the birds of summer =-.
Cool photos of the hummingbird with the nesting material. Lucky you to have them nesting in your yard. Great photos.
.-= Eileen´s last blog ..Carolina Chickadee =-.
That was a very smart idea to offer the birds some free nesting material and the resulting photos are fantastic!
.-= Mick´s last blog ..Bar-tailed Godwits – again! =-.
HI Larry,
Wow these are fabulous pictures!!! I’d love to see them again, these little hummigbirds. I’ve seen one species in Chile and it was awesome!
.-= chris´s last blog ..Where is the summer?? =-.
Very cool! I recently threw out a whack of hair & dryer lint. I think a Carolina wren’s making use of at least some of it now.
.-= Lana´s last blog ..Life at the Flatwoods =-.
I’ve heard of putting out natural cotton. Heck, I could probably find some growing somewhere if I took a little drive! Hey – that would be a fun field trip. Thanks for the idea, Larry. I’ll let you know if find a field of cotton and “borrow” a little.
.-= Amber Coakley´s last blog ..Wood Ducks and the Celebration of Life =-.
lol, how fun, it really is busy.
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What a cool idea, Larry. Love the action photos
.-= gwendolen´s last blog ..We’re all waiting for Spring =-.
Those are great photos. I thought the cotton was a cloud at first. Does growing potential nesting material attract more hummingbirds? I’m trying to attract more of them, so I’m going to buy a hummingbird feeder. Are there any you recommend? So far, I’ve found those Perky-Pet Top Fill hummingbird feeders. They open from the top and look really easy to fill.
Thank you all for your wonderful comments
@Andrew I think that growing your own nesting material or buying it, either one will help them in their nest building.
For top filled hummingbird feeders, I like the Aspects Humzinger Ultra which holds just 12 ounces. If you have lots of hummingbirds and don’t want to have to fill feeders everyday, or even twice a day, get the Best-1, 72 ounce feeder. I have 4 of the 72 ounce feeders and one 12 ounce saucer. They work great!