Cooper's Hawk
Where They Live: The range and preferred habitat of the Cooper's hawk is the same as that of the sharp-shinned hawk. But the two will not share the same nesting and feeding territory. Cooper's hawks are found throughout the North American continent. They migrate into Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras for the winter, preferring large tracts of forest with dense canopy.
Why the name Cooper's? The bird is named for the individual who in 1828 brought a specimen to the scientist who first described the species in scientific literature. That first bird literally was Cooper's hawk.
What They Eat: Cooper's hawks feed on small mammals and birds. Their choice of prey tends to be birds larger than those taken by sharpies. One study found their most frequent victims were starlings. Unfortunately for the hawks, another medium-sized bird almost resulted in their undoing -- the barnyard chicken. Yes, the Cooper's hawk is the infamous "chicken hawk."
Appearance: The plumage color and pattern of the Cooper's hawk is the same as the sharp-shinned hawk. They are the larger specie, about the overall size of a crow. When perched, their long tails appear rounded at the end with a broad white terminal band. Another subtle difference that you may observe is that the Cooper's blue-gray color darkens toward the head. With sharp-shins, the back and head are uniformly gray.
Voice: When alarmed, Cooper's hawks sound a "kek-kek-kek" call that is reminiscent of the call of the northern flicker.
Sharp-Shinned Hawk
Where They Live: The Sharp-shinned hawk is an example of a type of bird of prey called accipiters. Unlike soaring field hawks (buteos), accipiters are quick, stealthy hunters of the woodlands. Their short, rounded wings and long, rudder-like tails are perfectly suited to high-speed chases through trees and thickets. Sharp-shinned hawks are found throughout the North American continent. Their choice for a nesting site is within a large and remote forest. During winter months, "sharpies" migrate to the southern half of the continent and into Central America.
What They Eat: Sharp-shinned hawks eat birds, rodents and insects. Their preferred food is finch-size songbirds. Backyard birdwatchers occasionally receive an unwanted "seal of approval" on their bird-feeding program when sharpies discover that a yard is full of feathered entrees. Even for these skilled hunters, catching other birds is an "iffy" proposition. Usually it is the weaker, slower birds that fail to escape the sharp-shinned hawk's talons. And sharpies can find themselves on the wrong side of the predator-prey equation. They sometimes are taken by red-tailed hawks.
Appearance: Distinguishing between Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks can be a challenge for every bird watcher. What they have in common is a handsome plumage pattern. Adults have slate-blue backs and heads, with breasts and bellies colored with fine bars of cinnamon-red and white. Sharp-shinned hawks are the smaller of the two species at 10 to 14 inches in length, or about the size of a robin or pigeon. While adult males and females have similar plumage, there is a difference in size. In both species males are smaller than females. This fact, however, adds to the identification challenge. A female sharp-shinned hawk can be larger than a male Cooper's hawk. The best key when observing a perched bird is to look at the tail. In sharpies, it appears square or notched with a narrow band of off-white at the end.
Voice: The alarm call of the sharp-shinned hawk sounds like "kik-kik-kik."
How do I keep hawks from attacking songbirds?
As part of the natural world, hawks must eat and small birds are part of their diet. It can be hard to witness a hawk attack, but it also is a thrilling exhibition by one of Mother Nature's most adept creatures. You can't keep them away, but if you take down your feeders for a while, songbirds will forage elsewhere. When the hawks can't find a meal in your yard, they will leave to find their prey elsewhere.
A Glittering Fragment of the Rainbow
Why is there only one species of hummingbird inhabiting the eastern United States while the western states claim up to fifteen species? Where did hummingbirds originate? What is their history? Dr. Bernhard Grzimek says in his Animal Life Encyclopedia, "We know nothing about the evolution of hummingbirds [from the study of fossils], nor do we know their origin. Because of the small size and their fragile skeletons, [it's] not surprising that there are no known fossils of hummingbirds." According to the Encyclopedia Americana, the hummingbirds' "highly specialized adaptations for flight, feeding and courtship-display indicate an ancient origin, probably in what is now South America." It has been suggested that since there are basic similarities between swifts and hummingbirds, perhaps both forms represent split-offs from an ancestral "swift-sparrow" stock. Today there are as many as 339 valid species of these Western Hemisphere natives that range from Alaska and Labrador in the north to Tierra del Fuego in the south, from Barbados in the east to islands off the coast of Chile in the west. Moving north from the equator the number of native hummingbird species diminishes: at the equator there are up to 163 species; in Central America there are about 55; in the western states 15; and in Alaska only one. Sixteen major species of hummingbirds breed in North America: the ruby-throated in the East and Midwest, the other fifteen in the West. Ruby-throats are the only species commonly found east of the Mississippi, although winter banding activities in eastern states have documented the existence of ten others. Stokes Hummingbird Book lists far more hummingbird flowers in the West than in eastern North America. This may explain why there are up to 15 nesting varieties in the West (several of these barely get across the Mexican border) and only one in the East. While the life relationship between hummingbirds and flowers has resulted in the poetic notion that hummingbirds live only on nectar, proteins provided by insect food may be more essential than the sugar provided in nectar. Therefore, the greatest number of hummingbirds might be found in areas that offer an abundance of blossoms and insects. No matter what evolutionary whim or pattern may have established the hummingbird's territories, Audubon's description captures our delighted response to their sighting: "Glittering fragment of the rainbow... lovely little creature moving on humming winglets through the air, suspended as if by magic...flitting from one flower to another."
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird...Fantastic in Flight
If you want to raise the enjoyment level from your backyard birds, invite ruby-throated hummingbirds to your table. Plant hummingbird flowers and hang some feeders. Your rewards will far exceed your efforts.
The ruby-throated hummingbird is one of the smallest of North American hummingbirds. It is the most widely distributed and the only one in eastern North America. If you live in the west, you have 17 possible species, although 10 are restricted to areas near the Mexican border. The range of the ruby-throated hummingbird matches the eastern deciduous forest -- from the east coast inland to Texas and North Dakota, including southern Canada. They winter mostly from Mexico south to western Panama. Some remain in the southern U.S.
The ruby-throated hummingbird weighs about as much as a penny in your hand. Males and females are about 3-1/2-inches long, but females are slightly heavier. They generally are a metallic bronze-green above and grayish white or brownish gray underneath. The throat (gorget) of males often appears a brilliant metallic red that takes on gold or green hues as the light changes. In poor light, it looks black.
Males arrive on the breeding ground throughout most of North America between late April and mid-May, a week or so ahead of females. They establish territories based on adequate food supplies. They diligently defend their territories from all competitors, including other males, females and hawk moths. But that changes when a female in breeding condition enters his domain.
The male grabs the attention of the female with a pendulum-like flight as he moves through a U-shaped arc with the sun bouncing off his gorget. If interested, the female will perch. The male moves to within two feet of her, and his arcs become faster and more horizontal. If the female is receptive, they copulate. She flies off, never to have contact with the male again.
Because no pair-bond is formed, the male is free to roam his territory. If another receptive female comes in, he will mate with her as well.
For the female, however, the work has just begun. She chooses the nest site, builds the nest in about a week and takes sole responsibility for all parental duties.
Ruby-throats usually nest in woody stands, either strictly deciduous or mixed with conifers. The nest is about the size of a walnut. It consists of plant fibers, especially thistle and dandelion down, held together by spider silk. The outside is covered with lichens.
Usually it is placed on a slanting branch, fairly open underneath, but with leaves forming a canopy above. The canopy provides both shade during the heat of the day and reduced heat loss during the night.
After copulation, the female typically lays two white, bean-sized eggs in a three-day period. She will incubate them for about two weeks. The nestlings fledge 18 to 22 days later.
Watching the female feed nestlings is a sight to behold. She inserts her long bill into the gullets of the chicks and pumps nectar and insects into them. On first glance, one is certain that she will inflict a fatal stab. But she knows what she's doing. The female continues to feed the young for the first week out of the nest. The bills of the youngsters continue to grow and reach adult length in about 30 days.
A good way to attract hummingbirds is to offer nectar feeders along with a selection of nectar-rich flowers. Use a 4:1 mixture of water to sugar, and don't bother with red food coloring. Sugar solutions should be changed every few days, especially in warm weather. When first trying to attract hummers, only partially fill the feeder and store leftovers in the refrigerator. That way you won't waste as much when changing the contents. If you have feeders but no hummingbirds, tie a red bandanna near the feeder and let it wave in the breeze. While hummers are not restricted to red, red objects often attract them.
If a female visits your feeders regularly, chances are good that she is nesting nearby. If a male frequents your feeders, you may be in or close to his territory. Males like to perch on a dead twig or small branch that offers a good vantage point for viewing their territories. So check the tops of trees in all directions from your feeders to look for possible perch sites.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
Ruby-throats are one of the smallest of North American hummingbirds, the most widely distributed and the only hummer species commonly found east of the Mississippi. Their breeding range is the east coast inland to Texas and North Dakota, including southern Canada. Weighing about as much as a penny, ruby-throated hummingbirds generally are a metallic bronze-green above and grayish white or brownish gray underneath. The throat (gorget) of males often appears a brilliant metallic red that takes on gold or green hues as the light changes.
Males arrive on the breeding ground between late April and mid-May, a week or so ahead of females. They establish territories based on adequate food supplies and diligently defend their territories from all competitors.
The female chooses the nest site, builds the nest in about a week and takes sole responsibility for all parental duties. The nest is about the size of a walnut, made of plant fibers, especially thistle and dandelion down, held together by spider silk. The outside is covered with lichens. She typically lays two white, bean-sized eggs in a three-day period and incubates them for about two weeks. The nestlings fledge 18 to 22 days later.
A good way to attract hummingbirds is to offer nectar feeders, available from your local Wild Bird Center, along with a selection of nectar-rich flowers. Use a 4:1 mixture of water to sugar, and change the every few days, especially in warm weather. When first trying to attract hummers, fill the feeder only partially and store leftovers in the refrigerator.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Where They Live: The ruby-throated hummingbird summers from southern Canada to Florida and from the Atlantic coast to the Great Plains. It is the only breeding hummingbird found in the eastern half of the continent, possibly because of the harsher climate and fewer nectar-rich flowers than on the west coast. Throughout its summer range, the ruby-throats can be found in mixed woodlands, suburban shade trees, orchards and parks. Yards that contain preferred hummingbird flowers, plus sugar-water feeders, are likely to attract these sprightly acrobats. Once ruby-throats have found a ready food supply, they and their offspring will return to the same location year after year. In fact, nests, once assembled, may be used for several seasons. Ruby-throated hummingbird nests usually are found on a horizontal branch of a shade tree about ten to twenty feet above the ground. The female builds the nest from plant down, about the size and shape of a walnut shell half. The outside of the tiny structure is covered with lichens woven onto the nest with spider silk. Hummingbirds migrate to Mexico and Central America for the winter. These tiny birds fly non-stop across the Gulf of Mexico, a distance of some six hundred miles, twice each year. The sexes travel separately. Males are the first to strike out on this semi-annual journey, with females and young following several days or weeks later.
What They Eat Ruby-throated hummingbirds maintain their high metabolic rate by consuming flower nectar, tree sap from sapsucker holes, small insects and spiders. Brightly colored flowering plants, including trumpet creeper, honeysuckle, impatiens and bee balm, are attractive to hummingbirds and offer a steady food supply.
Appearance Both sexes of the ruby-throated hummingbird display a shiny, green upper body with contrasting white below. Females have a plain white face and throat. Males have a black patch that extends from the bill to the back of the head in addition to a ruby-red gorget, or throat feathers. This showy color is not the result of pigmented feathers, but rather is a prismatic color caused when bright light refracts through the feathers. In certain light, the gorget appears black. You also may be able to distinguish male from female ruby-throats by their tails -- males have a forked tail, but females have a blunt-shaped tail that shows white spots on the outer corners.
Voice: Vocalizations include a variety of clicks, squeaks and squeals. The rapid wing beats of the ruby-throat result in a humming sound that identifies the species.
Anna's Hummingbirds
The Anna's hummingbird, a year 'round western resident, the only North American hummer species that doesn't migrate. They just shift areas within their range in order to find more food. A male Anna's is bright iridescent rose on its throat and crown, green on its sides and back with a white chest and central belly. The female has green upper parts and whitish under parts with red spotting on the throat. Anna's begin their breeding season in December. The male defends a small territory in an area of nectar-rich flowers where the female enters long enough to mate. Then she leaves the area, makes the nest and rears the young by herself.
Anna's hummingbirds often bathe in flight by skimming over the water, and at other times get all the way in to splash with their wings like larger birds.
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Where They Live: The black-chinned hummingbird has the most extensive breeding range of any western hummingbird, from British Columbia to Texas and from the Pacific coast to the Rocky Mountains. During early summer black-chins are found throughout the low mountain regions of the western side of the Rockies. As the season progresses, they follow blooming flowers up the slopes, often nesting along creek beds that support stands of willows and alders. The nectar-filled blossoms of the willow trees attract insects and also produce plant down which the hummingbirds use in constructing their tiny nests.
What They Eat:Because of their tiny size, hummingbirds have very high metabolic rates that require almost continuous consumption of food. Small insects, spiders and nectar from flowers make up the bulk of their diet. Black-chins will visit hummingbird feeders filled with sugar water.
Appearance: Female black-chinned hummingbirds are almost indistinguishable from their eastern counterparts, the ruby-throated hummingbird. A shiny, metallic-green upper body contrasts with a clear white throat, breast and belly. Males have a black chin, then a band of violet on the throat. There is a white collar below the violet and a white chest and belly. His back, top of the head, lower belly and tail is iridescent green. Because the violet hue of the male's throat is prismatic and shows only when light reflects off it in just the right way, it often appears black.
Voice: Vocalizations include a variety of chips and twitters along with a diagnostic "tchew." Listen for sounds during dive displays of the black-chinned hummingbird. When it pauses at either end of a shallow "U" flight path the bird sometimes makes a wing-flapping sound and at the base of the dive it gives a high-pitched note.
Row, Row, Row the Air
Hummingbirds are among the most fascinating of birds, and for good reason. They are tiny little sprites, incredibly active, and colorful. And we marvel at their flight. While most birds bend their "elbows" and "wrists" while flapping away, hummingbirds keep their wings straight like oars, and row through the air. They never bend. The rowing is more like a blur, as most beat their wings between 40 and 70 times per second. Hummers can twist their wings in their shoulder joints so, on upstroke, the wings push against the air just like on down stroke. Consequently they generate lift and thrust on both down stroke and upstroke. By moving their wings in a horizontal plane, they can hover; by tilting back, they can fly backwards. And the precision of their jerky stop-go-hover flight is uncanny.
These tiny creatures migrate to the United States each spring from winter grounds in Mexico and Central America. It is said they expend as much energy as a human running 1,200 consecutive 4-minute miles without stopping. And after a few months of hurried mating, raising young and fattening up, they hit the sky again.
Many of the ruby-throated hummingbirds that frequent our backyard gardens have made a 24-hour, 600-mile flight across the Gulf of Mexico before dispersing across the eastern portion of the continent. They do this because they are internally wired to fly where they're supposed to, at the time they're supposed to. Bird-banders have found that hummingbirds are faithful not only to their route but also to their schedule. They very often show up at the same place on the same day, year after year.