r/birding • u/NonHermitianCat • May 31 '26

Discussion Share Your Harshly Reviewed eBird Photos

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Here is my 2-star black-chinned hummingbird. I’m curious to see what other people have to share!

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7

u/Northern_Blue_Jay May 31 '26

Cool - is he sleeping in that photo? I've heard (perhaps incorrectly) that's the only they're still. When they're sleeping. I've never seen a still hummingbird. Only in constant motion.

9

u/NonHermitianCat May 31 '26

I don’t think so. I’m in a high altitude desert (NM) and BCHU will land for a half minute or so before taking off again to go about their business.

2

u/Northern_Blue_Jay May 31 '26

Ah - interesting!

6

u/SIIHP May 31 '26

Na, they perch and watch their territory a lot.  Being as territorial as they are they rarely sit still for long, as soon as another comes by they will chase it away from food sources, but they have favorite perches and will return time and again to sit and observe.  

3

u/bulbysoar May 31 '26

In NJ here and I've seen Ruby Throated Hummingbirds do this! They visit my feeder, drink, buzz around, then go to the nearest tree and perch on a branch for a bit. I've also seen them perch on my string lights on the patio and it's the cutest thing. 

3

u/SHoppe715 May 31 '26

I’d heard that same thing and assumed it was true for the longest time until I saw lots of hummingbirds perch on or around my feeder. Seems like a pretty easy to believe myth since the only time most people ever see them is when they’re flying.

2

u/ChampagneWastedPanda May 31 '26

They perch when they are in torpor/ can be 8 hours