Scissor-tailed Visitors
Soon after we moved into our place in Glória/Santa Teresa, we took a trip to the nearest branch of Tok&Stok (a chain selling reasonably priced furniture and household goods, a little bit like Ikea but without the meatballs, herring and arguments). Our shopping list was not particularly exciting – a dish draining rack, cutlery tray, you get the picture. All in all it was a rather boring shopping trip.
Until we got to the checkout! Because there, hanging on a hook, was a hummingbird feeder. Wow. I love hummingbirds. We don’t get them back in Europe and although I saw a few in Colombia, the novelty has definitely not worn off. The feeder went in the trolley and I went home with plans of attracting legions of hummingbirds.
And guess what? It worked!
In Portuguese, hummingbirds are called Beija-flor (flower kisser). This one is called Beija-flor Tesoura (Tesoura is Portuguese for scissors, a reference to its forked tail). In case anyone is interested, the Latin name is Eupetomena macroura.
Lovely isn’t it? The first time a saw a hummingbird visit the feeder I was pretty excited. They would dart in, have a quick sip of the sugary water and then dart off again. The scissor tailed type above are quite big by hummingbird standards, maybe 15cm (6 inches). After a while I got to recognise some other, smaller visitors.
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| At the feeder |
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| If I have identified this one correctly, then this has the rather marvellous name of Glittering-throated Emerald Hummingbird (Amazilia fimbriata). |
I setup my camera on a tripod and tried to snap them, but found that they were A) quite shy and B) really quick and difficult to capture in focus. In the end I found the best way was to fix the focus on a spot in the air, then setup a remote so I could take the photos from a distance. Results were a bit hit-and-miss, but I got some pretty interesting shots I think.
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| Look out, that thing is sharp! |
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| Frustratingly, these big Scissor tailed birds are possessive and aggressive, meaning that when one of these bullies arrived… |
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| …these little ones would be gone in the time it takes to say ‘hummingbird skewer’. |
Sadly the feeder fell down during a storm a little while back and broke. I haven’t replaced it yet, but I have now got something even better!
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| Finally the job of putting up the trellis can haunt me no more! |
Just this morning I finished the job of putting the trellis up (it only took me 2 months!) and the Jasmine that has been waiting patiently was installed. I didn’t know that hummingbirds like Jasmine when I bought it, but I have just found this:
I love hummingbirds! And way to get the trellis up! :)
You don't know how good it felt to finally cross that item off my list of things to do Rachel! :D The jasmine had better be grateful and grow lots of flowers!
Yeah I don't like the tesoura bird dude. Those smaller green ones should get together and kick his ass for being such a jerk.
Good job on the trellis btw.
You are attracting beauty and good vibes to our house…thank you (The Jasmine is getting lovely)
I totally get how it felt to get it done. You should see the size of my to do list! ;)
I love beija-flores. They are unique. Sometimes I also have flying visitors too. http://greetingsfromholland.blogspot.com/2011/02/spring-signs.html
@Rachel, of course – moving house involves a To-do list that usually lasts several years! (if you're anything like me…)
@Gritty, I feel a bit conflicted because I think the Tesouras are still really pretty, but there is this one that just sits on a nearby telephone wire and watches. As soon as another birds comes near – SWOOP! SQUAWK! My plan is to create multiple food sources so he (it's a he in my head) can't guard them all…
@Eliane, it's a beautiful house and I'm happy to do my little bit to help :)
@Anita, your little visitors hold a special place in my heart. I did a Masters studying those birds in a small forest outside of Oxford. Did you know in English we call them "Tits"?! Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, etc. I genuinely have a Masters in Great Tits! Always leads to a few questions in job interviews! :D
Those are amazing pictures!