Bella Hummingbird
Welcome to the world of Bella Hummingbird
Bella Hummingbird has been making her nest in my ficus tree since 2005. Sometimes laying as many as 4 clutches in one season. A webcam has been set up for all to share this beautiful experience.
Bella's Clutch Log - Starting February 2013
LAID EGGS HATCHED FLEDGED
February 1 & 3, 2013 February 18, 2013 March 13, 2013 (about 20 min. apart)
Corkie & Merlo
March 25 & 28, 2013 April 12, 2013 May 5, 2013 (together)
Betty & Archie
May 15 & 17, 2013 The 1st egg was tossed out of nest when a resident Black Phoebe landed on the branch next to nest. Bella never returned after laying 2nd egg.
February 13 & 15, 2014 March 1, 2014, Bella determined the eggs were not viable and didn't return to nest.
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Eva's nest
February 27 & 28, 2014 March 16, 2014 April 9 & 10, 2014 - Astra & Isis
April 10 & 12, 2014 April 27 & 28, 2014 Victoria & Gem flew over the rainbow May 4, 2014
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Bella's nest
April 21 & 23, 2014 May 9, 2014 June 1, 2014 - Hope & Joy
January 17 & 21, 2015 February 6, 2015 February 24, 2015 - Patience & Rebel went to rehab
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Rosie's nest
February 25 & 27, 2015 March 21, 2015 - Determining her eggs were non-viable, she abandoned her nest.
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Bella's nest
March 18 & 20, 2015 April 4 & 5, 2015 April 28, 2015 - Lily & Peep
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Rosie's nest
April 16 & 19, 2015 May 5, 2015 May 29, 2015 - Sol & Luna
May 31 & June 1, 2015 June 17, 2015 July 11, 2015 - Summer & Dusky
January 18 & 21, 2016 February 8, 2016 March 4, 2016 - Blossom & Banji
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Bella's nest
March 6 & 8, 2016 March 23, 2016: egg non-viable
March 25, 2016 April 18, 2016 - Goldie
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Rosie's nests
March 14 & 17, 2016 April 2, 2016 April 26, 2016 - Clover & Patty
April 30 & May 3, 2016 May 19, 2016 June 10, 2016 - Arrosa
January 7 & 10, 2017 January 26, 2017 February 19 & 20, 2017 - Acacia & Aster
March 6 & 8, 2017 Egg fell out approx. March 10, 2017 - Rosie abandoned nest.
March 17 & 19, 2017 April 2 & 4, 2017 April 12, 2017 Rosie abandoned chicks
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Bella's nests 2017
January 4 & 6, 2017 (approx.) January 23, 2017 (approx.) Babies died in the nest.
February 18 & 20, 2017 March 7 & 8, 2017 April 2, 2017 - Voila & Tada
April 4 & 6, 2017 April 16, 2016 Crows took eggs
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Bella's nests 2019
December 25 & 28, 2018 January 11 & 13, 2019. Holly - 2/4/19, Noel - 2/7/19
February 18 & 21, 2019 March 8, 2019 Dahlia & Poppy taken to rehab March 11, 2019
March 27 & 29, 2019 April 12 & 13, 2019 Alcina & Elvy - May 6, 2019
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Diamond's nest 2019
April 2 & 5, 2019 April 19 & 21, 2019 Jewel & Jade died April 28, 2019
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Bella's nest 2020
January 8 & 10, 2020. January 26 & 27, 2020 Bria & Brec - February 19, 2020
March 1 & 4, 2020 March 19, 2020 (2nd egg non viable) Tess - April 12, 2020
April 16 & 20, 2020. May 3 & 6, 2020 Mira - May 26, Marley - May 27, 2020
May 24 & 26, 2020 June 11 & 12, 2020 Aine - July 2, Cyrus - July 3, 2020
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Bella's nest 2021
January 10 & 13, 2021. January 28 & 29 Moon & Wolfie - February 20
March 1 & 4, 2021. March 18 & 20 Tulip & Bow - April 10 & 11
April 5 & 7, 2021 April 22 & 23 Terra & Zeme
Crow took one, damage wing other - May 7
Trooper (renamed) - May 14
May 8 & 11, 2021. May 26 & 27 Eos & Selene - June 19
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Bella's nest 2022
December 27 & 30, 2022 January 13 & 15 Vita & Von - February 7
February 16 & 19, 2022 March 5 & 6 Slan disappeared middle of night - March 13
Sasta fledged - March 29
Bella continues to have more nests, but webcam was discontinued.
Bella’s Story
About 2005 I noticed a little hummingbird making a nest in my ficus tree on my front porch. I was so amazed to see such a wonderful site. I watched her build the nest (it took about 2 weeks). Then I was fortunate enough to see her lay the first egg. I missed the laying of the second egg which was laid a couple of days later. The eggs were about the size of a Jelly Belly jelly bean. I couldn’t believe how small they were. She sat on these eggs all day to incubate them. After about 16 days of incubation they started to hatch. I watched her feed these little babies continuously throughout the day. It seemed like such hard work, but she kept at it. After about 3 weeks the little babies started to test their wings. It was great to watch them hold on to the nest as they flapped their little wings so hard. They were also very curious about the world around them. They would stretch out and taste everything they could get their little tongues on. After a few days of the wing testing they fledged from the nest. They did hang around on nearby branches though as their mommy still fed them. A few days later they were gone. I really missed my little hummingbirds that I had grown to love and adore after so many weeks of watching them. I didn’t dare believe/hope it would happen again.
Much to my surprise, it did. The next year the little hummingbird mommy was back building her nest. I was overjoyed. I truly loved watching this cycle of life all over again. For years she would come back to this same tree and build her nest, sometimes having 2 clutches a season in my tree.
In 2012 she built 4 nests in one season. I felt truly blessed. After many years of watching her build her nest, lay her eggs, feed her babies, and watching them fledge the nest I thought it would be nice to share this with everyone. So, I put a webcam next to the nest and started to broadcast so everyone could experience this little life miracle.
You can also see photos and videos of Bella and her previous nests on her Facebook Page:
and
What kind of hummingbird is Bella?
- Bella is an Allen’s Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin)
Does Bella migrate?
- No. Bella is a non-migrating hummingbird.
Where is this tree located?
- The tree is in La Verne, California (So. Cal.)
How big is are the nests?
- The nests are usually the size of half a golf ball, but Bella tends to build them bigger.
How many eggs will she lay?
-They typically lay 2 eggs.
When will she lay the eggs in this clutch?
- She will usually lay the eggs 2-3 days apart.
When will they hatch?
- They will hatch 15-18 days after the second egg is laid.
When will they fledge?
- They will fledge about 23-28 days after hatching.
What is the breeding season for Allen’s Hummingbirds?
- The breeding season is about November to June.
What does Bella feed her babies?
- It is a mixture of bugs and nectar. We like to refer to it as Buggy Stew.
Bella's unusual nest (March 2013)
Bella has been building a nest in my ficus tree on my front porch since 2005.
Bella starting building this odd nest on January 21, 2013. Bella built this nest over 2 inches tall. This is a very tall nest for an Allen’s Hummingbird. This was her second clutch in this nest. During the second clutch it started to fall. It was almost sideways and the babies were hanging on for dear life.
After consulting with a hummingbird rehabilitation specialist, it was decided something needed to be done for the welfare of the babies. I secured the nest to the branch with pipe cleaners and used rubber non skid material to lift up the nest and support it. It is fully upright now even though it looks like it might be leaning. That is just the angle of the camera and the rubber material that makes it look that way.
Bella didn't even acknowledge the new "picket fence" around her home.
