I've now got hummingbirds fighting for a spot at my feeder. There's room for all but apparently they are on the territorial side as they keep chasing each other away.
I'm really guessing it's only one actual bird that is trying to chase everyone else away but it's fun to watch. seems the colder it gets the more birds I get here. Probably make up some more mix for them later today after my bike ride. they are out right at daybreak too, interesting.
My Ballard Forum » Open Forum
hummingbirds (again)
(23 posts)-
Posted 6 months ago #
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PDaddymom
offlineMemberbambooboy - I have almost constant battles at my feeder. And yes, I bet you have one overly assertive boy hummer wanting it all for himself. At the last place I lived I had one little guy who would stake himself out in a bush under the feeder and spend 90% of his time chasing others away! So I put a second feeder up and guess what - yep - he then protected the two feeders. Eventually he tired of the exercise and all was well. But this lasted for a couple of months and luckily the other hummers did get in enough food to survive. As their other food sources go dormant during the winter they flock to our feeders. Luckily it hasn't been cold enough to have to worry about nectar freezing yet! But I have my Christmas lights ready to prevent freezing. Still haven't really figured out how to rig that up.
Posted 6 months ago # -
great idea
onlineMemberI have hummingbirds in my garden year-round without a feeder so apparently they're able to find some food.
that sounds kind of gruesome watching them fight like that.
Posted 6 months ago # -
Great Idea-
They probably find it (food) my my yard, and PDaddy's....
I use the best food. Water run through a filter and the most expensive granulated sugar I can find. Nothing on sale for these little guys/gals.Posted 6 months ago # -
jj
offlineMemberWe've had a hummingbird feeder outside for a couple years, and I only ever see a hummingbird once a year, usually around Spring, and then never again until next Spring. I'm not sure if it's a scout and we just aren't passing the grade.
Posted 5 months ago # -
I see more in the winter. I think that in the spring and summer food is too easily available, but when it's cold out they come a runnin
Posted 5 months ago # -
SmartsyArtsy
offlineMemberA little hummer hijack here. A friend just sent me this
http://grist.org/list/hummingbirds-snore-apparently-and-it-is-crazy-adorable/
Posted 5 months ago # -
jj
offlineMemberAlright, you convinced me to try again. I cleaned the feeder, refilled, added red food dye, and put it back out there. Maybe I can recruit some new recruits.
Posted 5 months ago # -
great idea
onlineMemberI can easily lend you a few jj.
they're always in my yard and I'm convinced they're finding insects, spiders, etc. to eat without a feeder nearby.
(not that I doubt those feeders are good eatin')
I could probably catch one... if I used the force.
Posted 5 months ago # -
OingoBoingo
offlineMemberjj
Those feeders don't really need the dye and there's a remote potential for unintentional poisoning. You may have seen a Rufus hummer on his/her way to Alaska which is why it didn't stick around. The Annas are here year round.gi
Me doubts those hummers are eating spiders and insects this time of year. Maybe they are hiding out from being driven away from a feeder nearby.Posted 5 months ago # -
great idea
onlineMemberI've never seen evidence that hummingbirds die in the winter unless people feed them.
don't get me wrong, I find it a fascinating pastime. but are we helping these birds if they come back to their nest with an eye pecked out?
Posted 5 months ago # -
OingoBoingo
offlineMemberNot unless they weren't safe with an official Red Ryder carbine-action two-hundred-shot range model air rifle.
Posted 5 months ago # -
lakreitz
offlineMemberJJ - The local Audobon society hummingbird info page says "NOT" to red dye.
GI - You are right - the Anna's range has expanded thanks to all of the supplemental feeding from and fretting over by bird lovers. I'm okay with that and will continue to feed. I enjoy watching them at the feeder. I have several huge, upright, rosemary bushes that are in bloom now. Also, several of my fuschias still have blooms. I've seen hummingbirds feeding at both of these food sources in the last few days.
And don't be tempted to adjust the sugar ratio:
http://www.seattleaudubon.org/sas/LearnAboutBirds/SeasonalFacts/Hummingbirds.aspx
Posted 5 months ago # -
Thanks for the link, Lakreitz! Good stuff. Going to put some lights on our feeders ASAP!
Posted 5 months ago # -
We LOVE our feeders! http://www.amazon.com/Schrodt-Faceted-Amethyst-Hummingbird-Feeder/dp/B000F5427M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8
Dishwasher safe! Real glass! We also bought a blue one, but the blue came off in the dishwasher. ;-(
The once blue, now clear, feeder does not get as much action as the purple one. There is also a red one available, but we don't have that one and can't speak to it's durability or popularity.
Posted 5 months ago # -
jj
offlineMemberNot sure if anyone cares, but Amazon.com has a few hummingbird feeders in their deals section today.
Posted 5 months ago # -
PDaddymom
offlineMemberSilver - just FYI - it is not advisable to wash hummer feeders in the dishwasher or to use soap of any kind on/in them due to risk of soap residue remaining in the feeder. I just use really hot water and scrub them inside and out real good :-)
Posted 5 months ago # -
jj
offlineMemberWhat? No dishwasher either? I'm starting to wonder if I'm Dexter to these hummingbirds.
Posted 5 months ago # -
jj
offlineMemberI was outside yesterday and two hummingbirds came by and started arguing at my feeder! I haven't seen them since, but it gives me hope that we might start getting more visits.
Posted 5 months ago # -
lakreitz
offlineMemberYay JJ! It's a good sign they are arguing over your feeder - one of them wants to establish control over it. Yesterday I saw a male and female perched on our feeder. They were very calmly feeding, no arguing.
Posted 5 months ago # -
Hummers, or at least one, at my feeder all weekend. I just filled up the feeder. It should be good to go for a couple weeks now.
Posted 5 months ago # -
louie
offlineMemberWe get them all day at our feeder, one at a time, but all day. Never seen them be aggressive to each other, they seem polite enough to take turns. I have found the only way they like the food is to actually boil the water, not in the microwave but on the stove, and to add the sugar and mix right after I've taken the water off the boil. Too much or too little sugar and they balk. 1/4 cup sugar per cup of water. I've tried other quick/lazy methods but nothing else works for me/us/them. Oh, and I change it out every two weeks at the most; guy at the bird store told me it'll go rancid. Also I'll redo it if they don't feed during the day.. its obvious when they don't like it (and when they do).
Btw, saw a beautiful male varied thrush today scratching around our feeder area. Big! Healthy looking.
Posted 5 months ago # -
Sounds like my mixture but I just pour the sugar in the water, then bring it to a boil, then take it of and let it cool. I may try that trick in the summer of not adding sugar till the waters boiling but they seem to want what I give them this time of year. I have also heard (though I haven't done it yet) that it's OK to richen the mix a bit in the winter.
In the summer I change it frequently, more often than every two weeks but not in the winter time. I figure it's the same as being in my refrigerator when it's on my porch right now, in fact I make sure it's not too cold out and bring it in at night if I think it's going to freeze. If you ever have the Ruby throated Rufus come around, they are very territorial and will chase off the other hummers. The Anna's are much more docile, and common. Personally I like the Rufus's. You can tell just by their sound if you hear them. They sound like they need their valves adjusted (I'm an ex diesel mechanic)compared to the Annas.Posted 5 months ago #
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