The first hatchling of a pair of scarlet-rumped tanagers

Nikon Coolpix P5100

Mom Birds can be Hotchicks too. This momma rufus tail hummingbird is incubating her pair of eggs

D2x, SB900 400mm lens with teleconverter

Good things come to those who wait and after two weeks of patient sitting, mom bird is rewarded with two new tax deductions. This was taken the first day after hatching. Notice that the hatchlings have birdie beaks instead of the long hummer beaks that they will later develop.

Nikon Coolpix P5100

Here are the same two rufus tailed hummingbird nestlings at 19 days of age. They both fledged from the nest 4 days later and now feed on the flowers in front of our house. This used to be their mother's territory, but she has left it to them and moved to a different area. Notice in this shot that their baby birdie type beaks have grown out to resemble the usual hummer beak which will have a further doubling in length as they approach adulthood.

D2x, SB900 400mm lens with teleconverter