I do not keep a Life List (a list of birds I've seen in my life), as many birders do. I don't really care how many birds I have seen (or have yet to see)!
For me, experiencing the birds is important, and if I can get a good photograph that is a bonus.
However, I've started a Life List for hummingbird species!
Whereas there are about 10,000 species of birds in the world, there are about 360 species of hummingbird.
And they are ALL found in the New World, and many (or most?) come to feeders.
So, it might be an attainable goal to see quite a few of the hummingbirds.
During my short time in Ecuador, I saw and photographed 33 species of hummingbird, which has pushed my Hummingbird List to 72...
I was feeling pretty good about that, until I looked at the Merlin app, which lists 129 species of hummingbirds that can be seen in Ecuador alone!
I guess I'll have to make a return visit...
The Sparkling Violetear visited the feeders at Hacienda Jimenita:
The Sparkling Violetear is an aggressive hummingbird which keeps other hummingbirds away from any feeder it covets.
A Western Emerald:
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