Mrs. Hummer

This female hummingbird has been hanging around for awhile, chasing away other hummers who venture too near. She’s recognizable because she’s on the big side, with a little dark fleck on her breast.

This morning, she was actually on the feeder when we came out to breakfast. We think she spent the night there, in torpor, and was just coming out of it — just sitting there, fluttering her wings occasionally, and then finally taking a drink.

She flew away, and I think it may be the last time we see her.

Fascinating to read here and here about both torpor and migration. Her departure for the south seems a little late, but I wish her a happy journey.

She was quickly replaced by another female today, more skittish and slender — probably a migrant passing through.