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Today is day 17 for these sweet baby ruby-throated hummingbirds!
For reference, here they are on day 3, just 2 weeks ago!
Isn't it incredible?
Also it's amazing that in the span of a few days,
pin feathers have been transformed into 'real' body and flight feathers.
Check out that little wing poking up!
An interesting tidbit that I learned is that the babies are considered to be 'cold-blooded' (ectothermic)
until about 10-12 days old when the pin feathers burst open into true feathers.
Being ectothermic simply means that their internal temperature
is dependent upon the temperature of the surrounding environment,
an they are unable to maintain the proper body temperature.
During these first 2 weeks, the mother must keep them warm,
often by vibrating her body and wings,
in addition to the constant feeding of insects and nectar.
After they have these true feathers, they are 'warm-blooded' (endothermic)
and able to maintain their own body heat,
so the mother doesn't sit on the nest anymore.
In fact she only visits to give them food,
in order to avoid attracting predators.
These sweet little ones should be fledging in a few days!
~carrie~
