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Hummingbird Watching
Allen's Hummingbird
Latin Name: Selasphorus sasin
Size: 3" - 3 1/2"
Color: Iridescent green crown, rufous tail and rump. The gorget (throat) is
a bright copper-red.
Voice: Buzz in flight; calls can include buzzing chirps and zee noises.
Habitat: Edges of forests, parks, gardens, coastal regions.
Range: Lives along the western coast of the United States and spends the winter
in northern Mexico.
Bird feeder? Hummingbird feeders will draw hummingbirds to them, as they feed
on nectar from flowers.
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The Allen's Hummingbird is a quick, agile flyer that is common to the Pacific states
of the U.S. These hummingbirds have to constantly stay in motion and search persistently
for sources of food to keep up with their high metabolism. Hummingbirds have high
body temperatures and lack of a steady food supply will make them lethargic and can lead
to death. Hummingbirds can be very territorial and can chase off or attack other
hummingbirds that come into their area or near their food supplies. These birds are
naturally curious however, especially about people, and will sometimes fly very close
to investigate humans. We've even had friendly hummingbird visitors that have perched
in a nearby tree and observed us playing pennywhistle music to them!
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- Read the Latest News from the Birding Sonoma County Blog -
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Tomales Bay State Park Closure - One Upset Birder
January 22, 2008, Point Reyes, CA
Governor Schwarzenegger is planning to close our beautiful, sacred Tomales Bay State Park
in Marin County along with 42 other desperately-needed and exuberantly cherished state
parks throughout California. Closing all of these wonderful parks would not even take us
1% in the direction of being back in the black. And think of what will have been lost. Read Article »
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Bay Area Oil Spill A Disaster For Birds
November 11, 2007, Kenwood, CA
When the Cosco Busan crashed into the Bay Bridge, every birder I know immediately thought
of what this disaster would mean for the birds. In addition to our beloved birds, whales
will be swimming through the oil, as will seals, sea lions and other marine mammals. West
Marin is one of my favorite places on earth, and to see it thus spoiled fills me with
sorrow and anger. Read Article »
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Bewick's Wren - A hidden Bay Area bird worth seeking!
October 7, 2007, Glen Ellen, CA
Today, we'll turn our gaze on Bewick's Wren, Thryomanes bewickii, one of the larger
SF Bay Area Wrens. Bewick's Wren, like most wrens, will instantly strike you as being
'all-tail'. Identification clue number one for wrens is that they tend to hold their tails
up-turned, as if in proud of their lovely plumes. Read Article »
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The White-crowned Sparrow has returned!
September 24, 2007, Kenwood, CA
This trusty little bird disappeared when the weather heated up, early in the year, heading
north to cooler Canada. Just this afternoon, my husband called me to the window excitedly.
There, at the foot of the photinia hedge, a lone White-crowned Sparrow was hopping humbly
through the green grass. Read Article »
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