Hummingbird Nests
Submitted by oma2 on Sat, 05/17/2008 - 00:31
Have you ever wondered what a hummingbird's nest looks like? I haven't actually seen one myself, yet today I received a newsletter that had an article about a nest and I wanted to share it with you.
If you have personally seen a hummingbird nest share with us where you found it and how you spotted it.
Illusive
Coco you are fortunate to have spotted the nests of those illusive, intriging hummingbirds. I know that one day I will get the opportunity to see one too.
Melissa could it be that the hummingbirds that you are spotting and your parents spot are not the same ones? It could be that your area is prolific with them.
Thanks to all for sharing your stories.
Edda
Certain things catch your eye,
But pursue only those that capture your heart.
- Native American saying
Not sure....
Not sure. But it would only take them a few minutes to fly back over here. I know that last year I counted 30 different hummingbirds in my yard at one time. They were all fighting over the feeders and feeding from my flowers.
Melissa
Every act of kindness moves to a larger one till friendships bloom to show what little deeds have done.
***June Masters Bacher***
Wow...
Wow, you must be thrilled to have seen so many.
Edda
Certain things catch your eye,
But pursue only those that capture your heart.
- Native American saying
Yes...
Yes I was but I also learned not to wear red pants outside during the summer. One flew into my behind last year. I made a post about it on the old site. I think some people got a real good laugh out of it....LOL
Melissa
Every act of kindness moves to a larger one till friendships bloom to show what little deeds have done.
***June Masters Bacher***
Good point...
Melissa that is a good point about not wearing red. I bet you were shocked when that occurred, although it did make me chuckle.
Edda
Certain things catch your eye,
But pursue only those that capture your heart.
- Native American saying
They do return to places
They do return to places where they found food the previous year. It is also important to clean your feeders all the time. It's so hot here now, that I am changing them every day. We have a problem with ants and wasps hovering around the feeders. I am using Vics Vapo Rub around the flowers and near the feeder ports. I also apply it to the top of the feeder and to the bottom of it so that they won't want to come too close to it.
Once you have an established nectar source, whether it be from flowers or from the stuff you make, they will WANT to come visit. Be careful though, because if you do have predatory creatures, that would be enough to keep them away.
Don't use pesticides. Don't try to get rid of small insects that hummingbirds eat. The nectar, whether from flowers or from your feeder doesn't provide them with complete nourishment. They need small insects, particularly if they are nesting. A mommy hummer will hunt for small bugs to feed to her young babies.
If you have cats, that may keep hummers away. Their instincts naturally tell them to flee from threatening situations. Cats have been known to eat hummers. So have owls, shrikes, tanagers, small hawks, roadrunners, orioles, large flycatchers, grackles, herons, gulls, largemouth bass, frogs, spiders and particularly praying mantises.
Susan, the Texas Yankee, the Texas Rangerette and the Assistant Administrator
SKBeal's Snazzy Tr
Deter ants
I read somewhere that inorder to deter ants from the feeders you should sprinkle cinnamon at the base and they will keep away. I don't have that problem as of yet, so I haven't tried it. I have just shifted my feeders to a shadier spot and I do change them every other day. My husband thinks that all this is not worth my effort, but who knows for sure.
Edda
Certain things catch your eye,
But pursue only those that capture your heart.
- Native American saying
I have had the
I have had the opportunity to see several hummer nests. Some were abandoned some had eggs and some had babies in them. They are very hard to spot in a tree.
The one I enjoy the most is one that was built in a shed lots of years ago and it was built on a piece of wire (the type you use to put electric power in your house) the piece of wire was hanging from an old nail in the shed. Apparently the shed got boarded up while there were still eggs in the nest because when I found it it had 2 little dusty eggs in it. Yup I took the wire and nest and still have it.
I just marvel at the work they went to to buld this tiny nest.
coco
Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most!!
Awesome!
Wow! The wonders of creation really knocks me out sometimes. Thanks for the article and reminding me of how truly wonderful our world is.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes on Him will not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
Hummmm
I have already seen several hummingbirds so far this year. I can't keep my feeders full. They empty them in about a day and a half. And I have 4 feeders up. But mine feed all throughout the day and they are not bothered by people one bit. I live in the country and have several oak trees in and around my yard. I think I am going to break out the binoculars and see if I might be able to spot a nest....LOL...
Thanks for sharing the info with all of us Oma. I have always been quite curious to what their nest looked like. I am going to have to print the article and share it with my dad. He loves his humminbirds.
What is funny we have sit outside and my parents can be outside at their house. They only live up the road and over the hill from our house. The hummers will feed at their house and then in about 3 minutes they will be over here. Then they leave our feeders and then in about 3 minutes they will be at my parents house feeding again. So we have decided that they just go back and forth between their yard and our yard.
Melissa
Every act of kindness moves to a larger one till friendships bloom to show what little deeds have done.
***June Masters Bacher***
I enjoyed
reading that clip Oma. I have to watch out for the hummers more closely. I haven't seen one yet but my grandson and my daughter have so I know they come here. In the back of my house off od the familyroom I don't have a lot of blooms yet, but in the front where I don't sit much because that is my formal dining area I have blooms. That is where the kids saw the hummers. I have to put out more feeders. My neighbor say they are here. She loves plants as much as I do.
Grannyrose - Calendar Manager - Zone 9 - Houston,TX
I love the video, that
I love the video, that makes me want to attract the hummingbirds that much more. Dale
Nary a One
Thanks for everyones input and Susan that clip was unbelievable. I would love see a throng of hummers here, but as of yet I haven't seen one. There are lots of delectable blooms already such as Trumpet vine, coreopsis, Esperanza, firecracker plant, Turk's cap, salvia, shrimp plant, cat whiskers, and fuscia . I too will keep a look out for nests. That would be so cool to see one first hand.
Edda
Certain things catch your eye,
But pursue only those that capture your heart.
- Native American saying
Timing is everything!
Oma, I have found that typically, hummingbirds like to come to the feeders early in the morning -- just after sun up....Then I often see them around dinner time. Between about 5:00 and the time it gets dark, I get a lot of them. As long as I don't have kids running around distracting them or people walking their dogs, the hummers will linger a bit. They don't like it when there are people around. Some birds are predators, too....
Be patient. Of the 17 known varieties of hummingbirds that inhabit the U.S., 14 have been seen -- or are known to exist in Texas.
If you're anywhere near Rockport, there's a hummingbird festival there every year. They band hummingbirds to track them and see if they return.
Susan, the Texas Yankee, the Texas Rangerette and the Assistant Administrator
SKBeal's Snazzy Tr
Changed
I had a couple of feeders up with commercially bought nectar, so I made my own to see if that may the problem. Time will tell.
Certain things catch your eye,
But pursue only those that capture your heart.
- Native American saying
Nectar Recipe
The standard recipe for hummingbird nectar is one that most closely replicates the nectar in flowers.
I have 5 feeders up, so I make my nectar by the gallon.
Here's the recipe:
The break down no matter how you do it should be 4 parts of water to one part of sugar.
I boil 4 quarts of water. Then I turn the heat off. For 4 quarts of water, I add 4 cups of sugar, stirring it until it's completely dissolved. I then allow the nectar to cool and transfer it into a closed container. I refrigerate it. This will stay good for about a week. I've been changing my feeders about every three to four days. When it gets really hot, I'll start changing it every two days (leaving it up for two days, and then changing it on day 3.)
Susan, the Texas Yankee, the Texas Rangerette and the Assistant Administrator
SKBeal's Snazzy Tr
Wow
Wow!
Thanks, oma2! It got my interest and I did a little checking... we do have female hummers here in June, so it's possible they are nesting in my area. I found out they often build their nests from 5- 15 feet from the ground... I wouldn't have to climb too high to look for them, although they can be up to 50 feet. hmmm. I will be looking though, and you will definately hear if I happen to find one. Thanks for sharing the great article!
~ Connie ~ Zone 5 ~ MN
Nesting hummers
Most nesting female hummingbirds like to nest in more remote areas -- mostly isolated swamp lands. I'm sure that the nesting period has ended here. I'm seeing lots of hummers -- even females. I have some flowers blooming that should provide them with nourishment, but not a lot. At the moment, I've got morning glories, Rose of Sharon, Coreopsis, Foxglove and larkspur. I should have more blooming soon!
If you're interested in watching a video of hummingbird activity, check this out:
Hummmer Video
Susan, the Texas Yankee, the Texas Rangerette and the Assistant Administrator
SKBeal's Snazzy Tr
Swamp land
Neat video, Susan! I could watch hummers all day!
Maybe I'll have to have a nest hunting party... I have 60 acres of swamp land behind my property. I actually sort of live in a remote swamp. LOL
The hummers have been feeding off my bleeding hearts, pulmonaria, virginia bluebells, and I finally got my feeders hung where the racoons can't get to them! Beasts!
~ Connie ~ Zone 5 ~ MN
Nice article...
I, too, have always wanted to find a hummingbird nest. I had read how they were made, and how they looked like a bump, or small knot on a limb. So far, I've had no luck finding one, but I sure did enjoy looking at the pictures in the article you linked to. Thanks for sharing.
maw
Annette Shelton/ mawnature/ maw
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