What's the deal with my hummers 'horns'?

13 years ago

After some wicked storms rolled through this afternoon, I was out cleaning up when I noticed a hummer doing some strange things. It appears that she was using the water on the forsynthia leaves to bathe herself. She went from leaf to leaf, fluffing herself up, rinsing and repeating. Naturally I had to grab the camera and actually got a few shots off. But, she doesn't look "right". Am I seeing things?

I wish I could've gotten a few more shots. The angle was pretty bad; she was about high up and I didn't want to spook her. She actually was pretty good about tolerating me gawking at her.

Tracey

Comments (12)

eigdeh
13 years ago
Half hummer, half hummer moth!!!!

Seriously, besides the weird horns, there is much more brown and only a hint of green. Is this a ruby throat?
tracey_nj6
Original Author
13 years ago
Ken, I haven't a clue! I was hoping someone here could tell me! I'll be out on the deck after work with camera in hand; I have GOT to get a better picture...
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hummersteve
13 years ago
Tracey

In the first shot it really doesnt look like a hummer more like a devil bird, sorry couldnt resist.

I also thought it might be having a bad hair day but the second photo seems to say the horns are still there.

Like you Im waiting for someone with more info.
tima9209
13 years ago
I see this whenever they fly in rain. The tops of their noggins tend to get spiky. Cracks me up!
tracey_nj6
Original Author
13 years ago
Naturally there wasn't one hummer in sight last night, which was really strange, considering I've had more activity the last week than I've had in a long time. I think I have/had a juvie as well, but couldn't get off a good shot (while I was snapping "Lucy" above). I jinxed it by having the camera handy. I'll keep looking though.
fairfieldcircle
13 years ago
That is a quite a unique look for a hummer, and as someone else said, your hummer is very light colored for a RTHU. I hope someone has an explanation.

I wonder if the horns might be in part a result of the moulting process the birds go thru at times...?

Very strange, that's for sure...
mbuckmaster
13 years ago
This doesn't look like a ruby throat to me...although rain always makes hummers look weird. But the shape and coloring look wrong. More pics, please!
tracey_nj6
Original Author
13 years ago
I'm trying, believe me, but I haven't seen any females since that day, just one lone male. It's killing me!
stevec_2007
13 years ago
Where do you live? This would probably help with an ID.
birding_nut
13 years ago
They look like new feathers growing in that are still in sheath thus the pointy look. Somethings they stick up if they get out of alignment with the other feathers.

BN
tracey_nj6
Original Author
13 years ago
Still no sighting; just RT male & skinny female.

stevec_2007: I'm in NJ. We apparently get RT's & rufous, although I've never seen a rufous (that I know of).
sherella
13 years ago
Just pin feathers. New feathers growing back from molting or tore out from fighting.They will grow back normal once the sheathing opens up.