Hummingbird

[Patched]

For those among us, afraid to ask, wanting to know why these marvelous creatures “hum”….

It’s because they do not know the words….

 

[RMFnLA]

For those among us, afraid to ask, wanting to know why these marvelous creatures “hum”….

It’s because they do not know the words….

Cute.

Actually, they sound just like the Star Wars light sabers!

 

[Patched]

Lots of hummers here on the eastern side of the Sierras and in the Humboldt mountains of Elko County….great wildlife entertainment…

 

[DCAN]

Anyone have a mix recommendation for the feeder fluid. I think I've been making it a bit strong as the little crackheads won't leave the front yard.

 

[Eutycus]

At one time I had the only feeders in my small town. Now there are others and the birds make their rounds. Sometimes though when I "accidentally" mix up a batch that is too high in sugar, they ain't leaving. Addicted to sugar I guess.

 

[ADK Bigfoot]

Four to one: water to sugar. If the temps drop in the week/s before migration, 3:1.

ADK Bigfoot

 

[shorthair]

Had this fellow fly into the cabin and once it got fixed on a window it wouldn’t fly out the open door. We had to evict it manually. It took a moment to get its bearing then flew away unharmed. What I found to be remarkable is how hot its body was in my hand!
IMG_0111 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

We used to have that happen quite often in the milking parlor, the little guys would keep trying to get out through the window panes then get stunned, so we carry them outside, ungrateful little things wouldn't even say thank you.

 

[Eutycus]

Another remarkable thing about them is how loud their "hum" can be. I've had then fly within inches of my ear and these little critters can really get your attention. I'm sure you guys have had them hover close to your face as they look you over.

 

[Eutycus]

In addition to nectar I read somewhere that hummingbirds are insect eaters. I kind of doubt it though and have never seen any evidence of this. If so it must be some awful small insects.

 

[Codger Craig Wilcox]

Hey Moose,
Just for fun, let me know when the Hummingbirds leave New Hampshire and I will let you know when they have gone from Northern Alabama. Should be interesting. I hope I live long enough to see their return next spring.

Hope I do as well. I'll be 79 in 3 weeks, and the dang Agent Orange is not kind to me.

The smallest of the hummingbirds are the various "bee" hummingbirds found in Cuba. They actually weigh less than a copper penny, and flap their wings 80 times a second, hence sounding like a bee.

 

[Sam squanch]

SoCal may be screwed up politically (no “may” about it!) but we get hummers year-round.

….. I’m moving to SoCal…..

 

[Sam squanch]

Seriously- hang the feeder high up! Damn CAT caught 2 of them, I had to put one poor bird out of its misery. Cat is on the list……

 

[Caterpillar Hunter]

Lots of good, correct information here. The 4:1 water to sugar mix is by volume, not weight, of course. Similar to how most muzzleloaders measure black powder loads. Don't add food coloring. I refresh/wash feeders every 5 to 7 days depending on how warm out it has been. You don't want to hear my advice about birds and cats.

 

[bpd303]

If so it must be some awful small insects.

I have seen them eat ants that get on the feeders, one ruby throat male will hover up where the wire hanger hooks to the tree limb at our back deck and pick them off as they go down the wire. Took me a while to figure out what he was up to. They also eat mosquitos.

 

[SOLANCO]

While you have a cleaner down to clean and refill they will be looking for it. In spring have had them looking for last year's feeders when we were tardy getting them set up.

 

[Nazgul58]

We have 2 feeders on the porch and enjoy watching them fight over the food. There is a nest in the tree in the yard maybe 10 yards away. We have seen it a couple times. There has been a juvenile hummingbird coming to the feeder. It is so small and cute.

We can sit under the feeders on the bench and they come within 3 feet of us if we are still.

Don

 

[Eutycus]

While you have a cleaner down to clean and refill they will be looking for it. In spring have had them looking for last year's feeders when we were tardy getting them set up.

They do have a memory. They will go to where you had feeders last year.

 

[rp77469]

For those among us, afraid to ask, wanting to know why these marvelous creatures “hum”….

It’s because they do not know the words….

We need a Groan button, complete with eye-roll.

 

[Brazos John]

They do have a memory. They will go to where you had feeders last year.

That means, even though they fly thousands of miles in their yearly migration, and see thousands of houses, they remember where your house is, and where the feeders used to be. And, it's probably not just your house, but they remember every house with a feeder along their route!
They might have bird brains, but their memories put my recall-ability to shame!

 

[Robin101]

We have a deck off our bedroom where my wife hangs her hummingbird feeder along with a variety of hanging plants the Rubies seem to like, great place for my morning coffee break, things are always humming!
Well for the last few weeks something comes in the night and drains the sugared water out of the feeder which she refills every morning. I am putting a game camera out there today with hopes of identifying the culprit! I'm thinking flying squirrels but its just a wild stab. I'll post pictures if I get any. This is the same deck where we woke up to a pile of bear scat, so who knows!
Robin