Thread: Hummingbirds

You're telling me! I literally got buzzed twice yesterday by a ruby-throated hummingbird defending what he's steadfastly claimed as HIS feeder in my backyard. He's even managed to scare off a mixed flock of finches and sparrows preening and napping on my fence -- no doubt, they were as startled as I was by his close proximity fly-by!

I have to bring my hummingbird feeder inside each night, unfortunately, because there's a family of raccoons that raids any feeders (including the hummingbirds') left out overnight!

I wish I had ants... my problem is raccoons marauding both my seed feeders and the hummingbird feeder. I've already lost one hummingbird feeder and had my passionflower vine mauled by the raccoons when I neglected to bring the feeders inside overnight.

Probably because I bring in the hummingbird feeder nightly (after losing the one feeder), I don't have much of a problem with ants. I keep the feeder in the kitchen sink overnight since it has a tendency to drip a bit. I replace the nectar at least once a week to keep it fresh and minimize bugs that way, as well.

I had two ruby-throated hummers that were ever-present fixtures around my feeder, but with the cooler weather of the past week I have not seen them at all, nor the black-chinned hummer that visited a couple times a week. They may have begun their southward migration for the winter. Nonetheless, feeders should be kept up until you're certain the hummers in your area have moved on. One rule of thumb suggests leaving them out at least two weeks AFTER you think you've seen your last hummingbird. Never know when the stragglers might show up for supper!

Here's some info about hummingbirds from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: Texas Hummingbird Roundup (don't you just have images of cowboys out roping a bunch of wild hummingbirds...or is it just me? )

The Vaseline's a great idea -- will have to try that! It doesn't melt off in the heat?

My hummingbird feeder activity has definitely taken a nose-dive, but I saw a black-chinned at it a couple times over the weekend. I miss my ruby-throated hummers, but it is fun observing the changing visitors to my backyard as the season begins to shift.

I haven't seen a whole lot of activity yet this spring----just a few random birds making the rounds from yard to yard. About 4 or 5 weeks ago I saw one on my redbud tree, so I hurriedly hung out the feeder. That must have been the kiss of death because I never saw any activity at all at the feeder.
What are ya'll finding in your yards?

Originally Posted by ploddinTod

I haven't seen a whole lot of activity yet this spring----just a few random birds making the rounds from yard to yard. About 4 or 5 weeks ago I saw one on my redbud tree, so I hurriedly hung out the feeder. That must have been the kiss of death because I never saw any activity at all at the feeder.
What are ya'll finding in your yards?

I haven't hung my new hummingbird feeder up, yet. Raccoons broke last season's feeder. I have only seen one hummer in my yard this Spring, though I'd attributed that to a lot of human activity around my house this spring (lots of kids on both sides of us, front and back yards), so there's been an overall marked reduction in ALL bird activity in my yard -- all I get lately are white-winged doves and European starlings, with an occasional golden-fronted woodpecker, handful of house finches and one or two Northern mockingbirds.

A strange thing happened a couple of days ago. We don't currently have our feeder hung up but the rope that's attached to a nailed hook in the eave is still there. The rope, when deployed with the feeder, brings the sight line down to mid-window level as we sit at our breakfast table looking out. The feeder is only a foot from the window so we get a good look as the little fellas slurp their nectar. Anyway, we were stunned when a single hummer came to the window where the feeder normally hangs, and just hovered there for a few seconds. It had obviously visited us before and was ready to be fed. Curious bird behavior.