2023 Bonanza Bird #5

The Marvelous Spatuletail: A Tiny Bird with an Impressive Display

Our 2023 Birdorable Bonanza continues today with a tiny bird that makes a big impression with its impressive tail. It's the Marvelous Spatuletail!

Our newest addition to the Birdorable hummingbird family, this rare, endangered species is native to a small area in northern Peru, where it thrives in the humid montane forest habitat.

The most striking feature of the Marvelous Spatuletail is, naturally, its incredible tail. The males boast a spectacular tail with four elongated feathers, two of which end in spatula-like discs that they display in an intricate courtship dance. This dazzling feature sets them apart from any other bird species in the world.

Like most other species of hummingbird, the Marvelous Spatuletail primarily feed on nectar, fluttering from flower to flower with their long, slender beaks, and playing a crucial role in the pollination of these habitats.

The Marvelous Spatuletail is considered to be endangered, primarily due to habitat loss.

With the addition of this bird to our little flock, we now have 10 hummingbird species represented on Birdorable!

Cute Marvelous Spatuletail gifts

Guess tomorrow's bird ...

Are you ready to guess tomorrow's new Birdorable? This charming avian resident of southern Australia has a striking white face. It's often found in specific habitats, including open woodlands and grassy areas. Can you guess what bird it might be?

Birdorable Tufted Coquette

Today’s new Birdorable species is a tiny type of hummingbird found in northeastern parts of South America. Look at the crazy plumage of the Tufted Coquette!

There are 11 species of coquette in the genus Lophornis. All of these tiny hummingbirds are native to Central and South America. Six other types of coquette have crests like the Tufted Coquette, though their ranges don’t typically overlap, making identification of Tufted Coquettes fairly easy. In these birds, the males have the outlandish crests (and the wild neck tufts as seen in the Tufted) while the females have a typically lower profile (ie, less flashy plumage).

Tufted Coquettes feed on nectar, favoring Orange Milkweed and pigeon pea flowers, among others. Like other hummingbirds, they will also take small insects as prey as available.

Tufted Coquette
Tufted Coquette (Lophornis ornata) by Teresa Frost (CC BY 2.0)

Tomorrow’s new bird is closely related to the America Robin, but lives on the other side of the world. Do you know this spotted, migratory bird?

Today our Birdorable Bonanza: 2015 Advent Edition continues with the smallest species of bird in the world: the Bee Hummingbird!

Birdorable Bee Hummingbird

An adult Bee Hummingbird weighs in at 2 grams or less, which is lighter than an American penny coin. In fact, a nickname for this tiny 2-inch long bird is the "Penny Hummingbird". It is both the smallest and the lightest species of bird in the world. The second-smallest living species of bird in the world is the Bumblebee Hummingbird.

The tiny size of the Bee Hummingbird may be attributed to competition with other hummingbirds in its habitat. Over time the species evolved to feed on smaller flowers than other hummingbird species that shared its habitat.

Bee Hummingbirds are endemic to Cuba, meaning they are found only on the islands of that country and no where else on earth. They are non-migratory but may disperse during the year depending on availability of nectar-producing flowers.

Mellisuga helenae
Mellisuga helenae by Ekaterina Chernetsova (CC BY 2.0)

Mellisuga helenae
Mellisuga helenae by Ekaterina Chernetsova (CC BY 2.0)

The Bee Hummingbird is our 624th Birdorable bird and our 7th species of hummingbird. Be sure to check out our collection of apparel and gifts featuring the Birdorable Bee Hummingbird! Our Bonanza continues tomorrow with a common North American flycatcher that sings its name. Can you guess tomorrow's species?

A little jewel joins Birdorable today! Today's Bonanza bird is the Buff-bellied Hummingbird, bringing our total number of hummers to five.

Birdorable Buff-bellied Hummingbird

Buff-bellied Hummingbirds breed in eastern parts of Central America and the Yucatan Peninsula. Their northernmost breeding range extends into the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. While some birds are resident, there are also seasonal movements (dispersal) in parts of the population. Some birds fly NORTH for the winter! Their wintering range includes much of the Gulf Coast of the United States.

Buff-bellied Hummingbird
Buff-bellied Hummingbird by k. draper (CC BY-ND 2.0)

Like other hummingbirds, Buff-bellied Hummers feed on flower nectar. They will readily feed from hummingbird feeders filled with sugar water. Buff-bellieds also feed on very small insects caught on the wing.

buff-bellied hummingbird

Tomorrow's new bird has the longest wingspan of any living species!

bonanza-2013-preview-16

T-Shirt Tuesday

Festive Finds: Birdorable Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in Santa Hats

This week, we're thrilled to spotlight a t-shirt design that captures the essence of holiday spirit and the enduring charm of one of nature's smallest treasures—the hummingbird. Featuring a trio of Birdorable Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, each adorned with a playful Santa Claus hat, this design is a heartwarming nod to these vibrant birds that continue to capture our admiration, even in their winter absence.

Hummingbirds, particularly the Ruby-throats, are marvels of nature, known for their dazzling colors, incredible flight abilities, and the joy they bring to many during the warmer months. Though they may be spending the winter in warmer climes, this adorable Birdorable design keeps the hummingbirds close to our hearts and minds, celebrating their beauty in a whimsically festive manner.

But why stop at t-shirts? This charming Birdorable Ruby-throats design is also available on a variety of customizable gifts. Whether you're looking for the perfect present for a bird lover, nature enthusiast, or someone who appreciates the unique and adorable, these festive hummingbirds are sure to bring a smile to faces this holiday season.

Embrace the spirit of the holidays with these little jewels in festive Christmas style. Let the Birdorable Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in Santa hats be a merry addition to your celebrations, spreading cheer and a love for birds with every wear or share.

A Rufous Never Forgets – The Remarkable Journey of the Rufous Hummingbird

Birdorable Rufous Hummingbird on a feeder

The Rufous Hummingbird, a tiny avian marvel, undertakes one of the most astonishing migratory journeys in the bird world, embodying the essence of endurance and determination. Inhabiting the western half of North America, these vibrant birds are known for their breathtaking long-distance migrations, with some individuals breeding as far north as Alaska and wintering as far south as Mexico. Considering their small size, the Rufous Hummingbird's migration is a remarkable feat, showcasing one of the longest migratory journeys relative to body size of any bird species globally.

Beyond their migratory prowess, Rufous Hummingbirds are celebrated for their exceptional memories, particularly regarding locations. This remarkable navigational ability allows them to return to the exact same backyards and gardens year after year, often pinpointing the precise location of nectar feeders they had visited previously.

The birds' ability to remember and return to reliable food sources offers a unique opportunity for birdwatchers and nature lovers to contribute positively to the conservation and support of these remarkable migrants. Despite their small size, these hummingbirds navigate vast distances, driven by an innate urge to migrate that is as compelling as it is essential for their survival. Their story is a source of fascination and inspiration, reminding us of the extraordinary capabilities hidden within the natural world.

Birdorable Common Pheasant and Ruby-throated Hummingbird Coloring Pages

Add a dash of color to your day with Birdorable's latest coloring pages. Introducing two new coloring pages that are sure to captivate and charm artists of all ages: the dainty Ruby-throated Hummingbird and the regal Common Pheasant. Whether you're a seasoned bird enthusiast or a budding artist, these coloring pages provide a perfect canvas to express your creativity.

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird, with its iridescent feathers and lightning-fast wings, is a jewel of nature. On the other hand, the Common Pheasant brings a touch of wild beauty with its striking colors and impressive size. Both birds are celebrated for their distinctive appearances and behaviors, making them fascinating subjects for your coloring adventure.

To embark on your artistic journey, simply visit our Coloring Pages section to download these two new PDFs. And for those who wish to stay true to nature's palette, the Meet the Birds page is your go-to resource to check the actual colors of these avian wonders. It's not only a fun activity but also an educational one, as you learn about the diverse colorations of our feathered friends.

Cute Hummingbird and Pheasant Gifts

Birdorable Anna's Hummingbird

For 18 days we're adding a new Birdorable bird every day as part of our Birdorable Bonanza 2010. The Bonanza will be wrapping up soon! Today's bird is the Anna's Hummingbird! Anna's Hummingbird is a small species of bird native to the west coast of the United States. The species was named after Anna Masséna, Duchess of Rivoli, by French naturalist René Primevère Lesson.

IMG_6382 Anna's Hummingbird
Anna's Hummingbird by loismanow
Birdorable Anna's Hummingbird Long Sleeve T-Shirt Birdorable Anna's Hummingbird Ringer Mug
Birdorable annas-hummingbird
Ladies Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Birdorable annas-hummingbird
Ringer Mug

Tomorrow's bird will be the 18th and last in the Birdorable Bonanza. Can you guess what it is?

This week's featured t-shirt design is our renewed Birdorable Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Males have a bright, glossy red throat patch while females are duller but just as cute. Hummingbirds feed from flowers by hovering mid-air and sipping nectar out using their long narrow beaks and tongues. This is our cute Birdorable version of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, shown here on a ladies casual scoop shirt and men's basic t-shirt.

Birdorable Ruby-throated Hummingbird T-shirts

Sample apparel with our cute Ruby-throated Hummingbird