1. 

   bambooboy
   

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   so I just filled up my feeder (and checked to make sure it wasn't frozen) and I have 2 small (Anna's maybe?) hummers chasing after each other. They were circling the feeder staring at each other, neither one going in to feed, then circled a bunch more times than ran off one after the other. Of course there are 4 perches so plenty of room but it doesn't seem ti matter to them.
   I might need to get another feeder to please the guys. I knew that Rufus's were territorial but I didn't realize how territorial the others were.

   Posted 4 months ago #
2. 

   great idea
   

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   the ones near my home recently were siblings (I'm quite sure anyway, given the proximity of their nest, and subsequent return to that location).

   anyway, they fought like cats & dogs and I suspect it was some sort of sibling rivalry. I know this species (anna) can be quite feisty, vicious even, but this was more playful fighting that I witnessed more akin to me & my brothers.

   Posted 4 months ago #
3. 

   pixlpete
   

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   GI, holy earwig! Nice. The Hummers can be quite the fighters. My folks out in Port Ludlow have a half a dozen of them engaging in vigorous aerial combat all the time, it is amazing to see them going after each other like that.

   Posted 4 months ago #
4. 

   bambooboy
   

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   It was funny to watch them circling the feeder today. They must have made 3 or 4 spins around in a diameter of about a foot, then buzz off across the yard, then back to repeat at the feeder.

   Posted 4 months ago #
5. 

   pennygirl
   

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   My crow family have suddenly reappeared after months away. It's nice to see them but it causes the usual commotion. They must be looking for food again.

   Posted 4 months ago #
6. 

   bambooboy
   

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   they were on vacation

   Posted 4 months ago #
7. 

   PDaddymom
   

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   My hummers are enjoying the house warmed nectar this cold morning :-) I feel so sorry for them on these frigid nights and am glad to see them in the mornings!

   Posted 4 months ago #
8. 

   great idea
   

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   where do crows go on vacation anyway?

   Murderland?
   is that show any good?

   Posted 4 months ago #
9. 

   OingoBoingo
   

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   Yep, my Annas really like the pre-warmed heat taped feeder at all hours..mornings are no exception.

   Posted 4 months ago #
10. 

    bambooboy
    

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    "where do crows go on vacation anyway?" France

    Posted 4 months ago #
11. 

    pennygirl
    

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    Crowatia

    Posted 4 months ago #
12. 

    bambooboy
    

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    Pennygirl - I stand corrected, you are obviously correct. On the way home they could also stop by Ohio, home of the Crow Indians.....
    If they weren't gone too long, maybe they just went to a concert, to watch Sheryl Crowe, or to the movies to watch the new movie with Russell Crow

    Posted 4 months ago #
13. 

    lakreitz
    

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    +1 Pennygirl. Very good.

    I took our feeder in last night and did not get it back outside until 7:40 this morning. I felt pretty bad for the poor little guy. Within minutes, the hummer was there to feed. It sat on that room temperature feeder for more than five minutes. Our male hummer does not take well to sharing 'his' feeder with other birds. He flits from our yard to a neighbor's feeder. He perches on a branch between the two feeders where he can keep an eye out for intruders to either feeder.

    We also have a suet feeder. It is a very social scene - the exact opposite of the hummingbird feeder. Multiple birds feeding at it at the same time - juncos, bush tits, a another bird whose name is unknown to me. Today, for the first time, a gold finch found it.

    Posted 4 months ago #
14. 

    gracie
    

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    For Christmas one of my neighbors gave me an absolutely gorgeous hummingbird feeder they got at Swanson's. I thought I had to wait until Spring to put it out but seems these little guys hang around.
    What do I put in the feeder?
    and lakereitz - do you have any problems with the suet feeder of squirrels & such trying to eat it. We have a couple of very rambuncous squirrels - which I happen to like - and think they would try to get it?

    Posted 4 months ago #
15. 

    PDaddymom
    

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    hi Gracie! the formula for hummer nectar is 4 parts water to 1 part sugar (for my feeder that is 1 cup water to 1/4 cup sugar). Bring the water to a boil and add the sugar - stir until it dissolves completely, cool and then put in the feeder. No red food coloring is necessary as we used to believe. It may take a while to attract the little guys, especially this time of year when they tend to stick close to their reliable feeders, so, you may want to start with a half cup water to 1/8 cup sugar as you will want to change out the nectar at least every 2 weeks this time of year if it doesn't get eaten up. Enjoy!

    Posted 4 months ago #
16. 

    gracie
    

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    Thanks, pDaddymom. During this cold weather I assume should bring inside so doesn't freeze and also something a little warmer for them to drink. I thought about putting it by this bush that gets red flowers spring/summer that they love.

    Posted 4 months ago #
17. 

    bambooboy
    

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    If it is going to freeze, then yes, bring it in. This week is probably a good time to do that, I am. In the summer I change my mix every few days but in the winter, and pretty much this week in particular, it's basically colder outside than in my refrigerator so I am thinking it's OK to just refill it and not replace it. I mix up extra and leave it in the fridge and then top off as needed. 4 to 1 is he mix, same as Pdaddy...

    Posted 4 months ago #
18. 

    great idea
    

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    if you're really hard-core gracie, you can put a little Sterno can under the feeder to keep it liquified.

    there are anecdotal tales of hummers sipping the Sterno for a quick buzz, but these are unsubstantiated.

    Posted 4 months ago #
19. 

    lakreitz
    

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    Gracie,
    Squirrels will make a go for the suet - as well as starlings. There are feeders designed to discourage both of them and they work. I've used this feeder for years : http://www.backyardbirdwatcher.com/DartmouthSquirrelProofSuetFeeder.html?gclid=COzW1MvN6rQCFQ_hQgod0kgASg

    Every so often I see a flicker hanging from it - but never a starling or squirrel.

    Posted 4 months ago #
20. 

    Hill Dweller
    

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    Received a nifty hummingbird feeder for Christmas, and installed near a window 10 days ago or so.
    I had seen hummingbirds around my yard from time to time, but the numbers of visitors to the feeder since day 1 has been astonishing. Despite the recent cold temps, I have birds feeding from dawn to dark.

    By the way, I have looked around on line quite a bit for h'bird feeder heaters, etc., but have seen nothing that rose above a clumsy quick fix for freezing.

    Posted 4 months ago #
21. 

    lakreitz
    

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    HD - My luddite heater solution is to bring inside at night. Our feeder is just a few steps from a door. I've been bringing it in nightly for the last week or so.

    Posted 4 months ago #
22. 

    seattletree
    

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    I finally joined in and got myself a few Hummer Feeders from Lowes. I have three out at the moment, but so far no one's biting. I had Hummers all summer but I will probably have a little wait since they tend to go to "reliable" food sources when it's so cold to conserve energy. I hope to find some more "Red Sage" to plant in the summer. It still bloomed all the way to the snow last year but the places I had it have been dog peed to death.. so will reconsider a better spot. No pee please/sign just doesn't help so much.. I saw an article in the paper yesterday about the local Hummers..

    Posted 4 months ago #
23. 

    seattletree
    

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    I finally joined in and got myself a few Hummer Feeders from Lowes. I have three out at the moment, but so far no one's biting. I had Hummers all summer but I will probably have a little wait since they tend to go to "reliable" food sources when it's so cold to conserve energy. I hope to find some more "Red Sage" to plant in the summer. It still bloomed all the way to the snow last year but the places I had it have been dog peed to death.. so will reconsider a better spot. No pee please/sign just doesn't help so much.. I saw an article in the paper yesterday about the local Hummers..

    Posted 4 months ago #
24. 

    PDaddymom
    

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    Seattle Tree - you seriously need to post your avatar photo in the funny animal stories thread. It made me laugh out loud.... Bad Santa!

    Posted 4 months ago #

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