You haven’t asked for them (the blog has hardly received any comments!), but I know you want them!
Here are several more videos showing off these incredible birds!
This is a closeup of a male violet-capped woodnymph hovering at one of Senhor Jonas' feeders.
OK. You've seen this video before. But, I did a little post-processing to bring out the colors. Enjoy!
Here are several woodnymphs and a couple of festive coquettes pigging out at the feeder. Note how messy the woodnymph can be while eating and running.
This is an example of one of the videos we get while we have the birds under our care. From this overhead view (and with the bird carefully positioned in frame) we can easily calculate the wingbeat frequency and stroke amplitude (the angular area swept by the wings during each upstroke or downstroke). These two basic parameters are the most obvious (not not only) ways that a hummingbird (or any bird) can regulate lift production.
This is actually one of my favorite videos. Notice how the wings of the festive coquette beat much more rapidly than the much larger saw-billed hermit. I think it's a great illustration of how the negative relationship between mass and flapping frequency.
Beautiful videos Ken! It really is neat to see the difference in wing dynamics with the smaller and larger hummingbird side-by-side!
ReplyDeleteThe saw-billed hermit's graceful slower flapping reminds me a bit of Michael Phelps in the pool - just meant to be.
ReplyDeleteThey are great videos, especially the one shows the small and the large one side-by-side!! Thank you for posting.
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