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Allen's Hummingbird

Selasphorus sasin

Description:

The San Francisco Bay Area's resident Hummingbird is the Anna's. But during the spring and summer Allen's comes in and breeds.
Green and a light rusty color on the back the underside is rusty colored with a white belly. Face is green with light rusty cheeks. Happened to spot this one nesting. Using moss and spider web to create this tiny cup shaped nest in a tangle of blackberry branches.

Habitat:

Prefers mixed woodlands. Nest was built near a creek and taking advantage of the blackberry vines.

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17 Comments

Jellis
Jellis 9 years ago

No, she was still building when I left for Colorado. If she had eggs the chicks would still be in the nest. It was too late but I did contact the regional park dept and they were going to talk to the park manager. The plants were still green and not far enough on the trail to warrant trimming while it was still breeding season. There are still many birds that nest on or near the ground. This one was above a dry creek so it was not on the ground but still close to being level with it an d it was only 4ft from the path.

The MnMs
The MnMs 9 years ago

Oh, that is bad news :-( I hope they could raise their babies before this happened..

Jellis
Jellis 9 years ago

Update on this nest. I recently went to visit it after my trip to Colorado. When I arrived, it turned out the regional park had mowed down the blackberry near the path, right where the nest was. Both parents must have left the area since the nest was gone.

Jellis
Jellis 9 years ago

Thank you Tom15. To spot the nest when I first saw the female land on it, I had to get on my knees or lower to photograph it. The brambles is vining from tree branches over a small creek.

Tom15
Tom15 9 years ago

Nice series!

Jellis
Jellis 9 years ago

I am hoping to be able to check on this nesting at least one a week. I don't want to put too much stress on them.

Jellis
Jellis 9 years ago

Thank you Marta

The MnMs
The MnMs 9 years ago

Is so nice to see them nesting! Thanks for sharing, Jellis! :-)

Jellis
Jellis 9 years ago

I saw and heard them especially on Mitchell Canyon on Red rd trail.

Hema  Shah
Hema Shah 9 years ago

thnx Jellis :)

Jellis
Jellis 9 years ago

Also Deer Flat and Regency

Jellis
Jellis 9 years ago

Mitchell Canyon

Hema  Shah
Hema Shah 9 years ago

which part?

Jellis
Jellis 9 years ago

There up on Mt Diablo

Hema  Shah
Hema Shah 9 years ago

We had a rufous this year which stayed for longer . Almost two months.Lovely bird. i have not seen an Allens out here.

Jellis
Jellis 9 years ago

That's where I spotted this.There is a creek nearby. And I spotted a Rufous last month in a non riparian area near Hayward Shoreline.
But big difference is the Rufous doesn't breed here.

Hema  Shah
Hema Shah 9 years ago

Rufous prefers riparian.

Jellis
Spotted by
Jellis

Alameda, California, USA

Spotted on May 30, 2014
Submitted on May 31, 2014

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