For the past month or so a little hummingbird has claimed my window feeder all to himself. He is very quick, in fact he seems faster than all the others. I was very shocked to realize that he didn't have any tail feathers. The more I observed him, maybe I am seeing some, but they are not as long as my pinky fingernail and I don't have long nails. Does anyone know if this looks like a birth defect or is it some other type of hummingbird that I don't know about? I have 6 more pictures if anyone would like to see them to help with the question that I have. They are at the following URL :: http://i675.photobucket.com/albums/vv112/Menoi5/

Menoi
Welcome to the Hummingbird Forum. I don't have an answer for you but we do have some people here that are very knowledgable about hummers and I am sure they will be able to give you the answers that you need. Hang in there and someone should have an aswer for you.

Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

I'll sure know this female if she flies into my yard! Good photos!

Menoi, the most common cause of tailless hummers [and other birds as well] is rapid escape from a predator. The tail feathers come out easily, so if a predator catches the tail, the bird can just take off without them. Usually, they grow back in 2-3 weeks.

Last January, a female Ruby-throated showed up at my place. She had no tail feathers and more than half the feathers were missing from her breast. Even though there were other hummers wintering, I was concerned because we were experiencing the coldest weather of the winter and she was missing some important insulation. Even without good feathering, she survived and she stayed until late March. I hope she will return soon.

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Nancy L Newfield
Casa Colibrí
Metairie, Louisiana USA
USDA Zone 9