He created a hummingbird paradise in his backyard #Video


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Video Description:

Window salesman Eric Pittman's life changed forever the day he noticed a Anna's hummingbird buzzing around his backyard in Esquimalt, B.C. in the summer of 2009.

After a flurry of sharp turns caught his eye, the bird came to rest on the branch of a pear tree. It looked around to check for danger and met Pittman's gaze, yet she seemed unbothered by his presence. Pittman looked closer. Then, two pea-sized black orbs began bobbing up and down. It was a pair of newborn hummingbird chicks. He'd discovered Sweetie Bird (as he later named her) returning to her nest to feed her babies. Overcome with curiosity, Pittman stayed under the tree for the rest of the day, binoculars stuck to his face. He bought a video camera and began filming the bird in his backyard. He hasn't stopped in fourteen years.

Today, Pittman is a citizen scientist and hummingbird expert. But he didn't formally study ornithology, or even any biology. His skill at capturing footage of hummingbird behaviour has earned him 50,000 followers on his "Hummingbirds Up Close" Facebook page, where he shares daily updates. The BBC Natural History Unit has even turned to Pittman as a subject matter expert when they’ve needed to film elusive hummingbirds.

The short documentary The Bird in my Backyard follows Eric throughout the spring of 2024 as he documents two mother hummingbirds raising their chicks. It’s a story about the childlike curiosity in all of us, and the doors it can open if we just lean in a bit closer.

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  • Carolyn

    Such a privilege to watch this film. Tx.

  • csmith6198bus2@msn.com

    Fantastic video! I feed hummingbirds in Michigan April to October, but never saw any in the winter.

  • CharMaine

    What a treasure to capture all that activity in your own backyard. He is so right; it is amazing what you can find when you just stop and look around. Behold. This was an excellent journey to go on. Absolutely loved it . . . TY so much, Mel, for posting it. Happy New Year! Already we're going on adventures . . . :-)

  • lola

    I love Hummingbirds!!

  • iotus2

    We sit and watch our hummers from late spring to mid-autumn - what a relaxing way to spend an afternoon.

  • Patricia. Yager Delagrange

    Absolutely the most beautiful video I've ever seen of hummingbirds. Just WOW!

  • Patricia

    This was super great!!!

  • Mary Jane

    He has the perfect yard for them. This was just beautiful!

  • KATHY

    I'm hooked! Plan to buy at least one feeder for our little condo porch. Thank you Mel and Eric!

  • Merridy

    ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

  • Annette

    Best way to start to 2025 for me! Hummers in this area from late February through early October so I miss them in the winter months. Thanks Mel - Happy 2025!

  • Connie

    what an awesome video, how blessed Eric is to get to do this. Thanks for sharing. Happy New Year everyone:)

  • Sandi Angel

    Yes-hummingbirds DO MIGRATE!! Some to the south and some to the north. I knew I'd read that years ago. Please look it up on hummingbird facts online.

  • Sandi Angel

    LOVED this video!! I see one or two a year if I'm lucky but now that I know they don't migrate, I think I'll put out nectar in the winter. Good advice all around from this man!!! THANKS

  • Teres

    Learned a lot from Eric. He is a dedicated bird watcher.

  • mercedes

    Fantastic hummingbird video! Eric is a wonderful person to be doing this.

  • Beth

    Beautiful!

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