Let's Talk About Hummingbirds!

skbeal's picture
5
Your rating: None Average: 5 (3 votes)

I was thinking that this might be a good way for us to share our observations about the hummingbirds we are seeing in various parts of the country. Do you have many of them? How many feeders do you have up? What have you planted to lure them?

I have a lot of them! I've noticed that I have some baby hummers....I thought they might be females, but when I saw the markings on their backs more closely, I realized that they were immature birds.

Yesterday or the day before, I think I started to see some Rufous hummers. I have a lot -- both male and female. They do a lot of chasing of one another and some are especially proprietary about certain feeders.

Susan, the Texas Yankee and Assistant Site Administrator

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.
skbeal's picture

I currently have 5 feeders

I currently have 5 feeders up...and I change them every few days too. I must have over a dozen hummers who hang out here, and so far, I've detected three or four varieties....Black Chinned, Ruby Throat, Rufous and one variety whose identity I can't say for sure. I've also seen lots of immature hummers. I have one feeder that seems to be restricted to my female hummers. Other feeders can be shared. Most of the time, despite the fact that I have three that are hanging sort of close to one another but shielded by hanging plants, one hummer will commandeer all three of those feeders. Occasionally, he or she will let others share. Sometimes I see a few at one feeder, but the moment they realize what's happening, they will begin their ritualistic chase. I've almost been smacked in the face on numerous occasions. That typically happens early in the morning. Often when I go to change my feeders, the  hummers will be in the vicinity....At first, I thought they'd just leave when they saw that the feeders were gone or when I was there....because typically they act very shy when I'm around and won't eat...If I go inside, though, even if I am looking out the wndow, they don't seem to mind. I can't stand and look at them or they look at me like they are feeling self conscious. They will go hide in a nearby tree and wait until I get the fresh nectar up. I always make my own and I always serve it to them cold. I probably easily use 5 pounds of sugar on hummers in a week.

 

Susan, the Texas Yankee and Assistant Site Administrator

I have from 1-3 feeders up at

I have from 1-3 feeders up at a time. I just get the ruby throated hummers here. I have lots of flowers planted that they come to too. Bee balm, penstemon, verbena, fuschia, impatiens, morning glories, jewel weed, mallow.etc. They also visit my herb and veggie blooms. I had a baby visit last evening too. I also thought female at first but it looked a bit small. As I watched her/his behavior indicated he/she was a jeuvenile.

DizzyDaffodil's picture

Only 2 feeders this year

Only have 2 feeders up this year, and they were slow to arrive, but they are sure making up for it now! The fussing & fighting is hilarious all day! DH almost got beat up again when he was moving the hose today! LOL!!!!!!

Poppylover's picture

Hummingbirds

I only have 2 feeders up this year. I had 5 up last year and hardly any hummers. But this year I seem to have more. I have them hung on each side of my front porch. I really enjoy sitting out and watching them. Sometimes it seems you'll get one in the side of the head when they are chasing each other around. Think they may have come pretty close sometimes too! LOL! We only have Ruby Throated around here, but they are pretty little guys. They seem to be enoying the glads I planted this year and of coarse my bee balm and rose of sharon. I've also seen them at my snapdragons, cosmos, cleome and so many more.

Hummingbirds

I have four feeders out and boy do they keep them covered.I have several flowers planted,thanks to gardenhere friends,that they like.I have a chair at one of my feeders and they just come right up to me.they will buzz around my head and fight to get to the feeder.Next year I plan to buy one of the hand held feeders.I would just love to have one feed from my hand.....velvet

PENNY2638's picture

Hummingbirds

I currently have three feeders out and I have to fill them every 2 days. I have seen as many as 8 hummingbirds at the feeders this year. But I am looking for more for sure.

 

I just love the hummingbirds. I planted flowers that attract hummingbirds also. I have notice that my Butterfly Bushes, my Lantana have attracted alot of hummingbirds this year.